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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usiual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 
D 
D 
D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


□    Coloured  maps/ 
Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

□    Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

I      I    Coloured  plates  nnd/or  illustrations/ 


D 


y 


D 


0 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  ie  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lorn  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmAes. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm6  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  M  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


Q 


D 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag6es 


I      I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  peilicuides 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachet^es  ou  piqu6es 


I      I    Pages  detached/ 


Pages  ditachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Qualiti  in6gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplimentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


I  I  Showthrough/ 

I  I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I  I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I  I  Only  edition  available/ 


The 
to  t 


The 
pes 
oft 
film 


Oris 
beg 
the 
sior 
oth 
first 
sior 
or  il 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partieiiement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmies  A  nouveau  de  fagon  A 
obtanir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


The 
sha 
TIN 
whi 

Mai 
diff 
enti 
beg 
righ 
reqi 
met 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires: 


Pap:ination  irrep-'flar  as  follows:    25,    [1], 

800  p. 


29- 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  d'^cument  est  filmi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

^ 

30X 

7 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

tails 
du 

adifier 
une 
Tiage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Legislative  Library  of 
British  Columbia 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grSce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Legislative  Library  of 
British  Columbia 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimSe  sont  film6s  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning   "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derni^re  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Stre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  etre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup^rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droitc, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
iliustrent  la  m^thode. 


rrata 
o 


)elure. 


29- 


3 


32X 


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it    : 

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2 

3 

4 

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Pd 


AN  ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY 


THE  STATE  OF  WISCONSIN. 


A  COMrLETE  CIVIL,  POLITICAL,  AND  MILITARY  HISTORY  OP 
THE  STATE, 

FROM  ITS  Fmar  EXPIORATION  down  to  187»; 

UfCLCBtNQ 

A    CYCI.OP/KDIA    OF    l.KOISI.ATIO.V    DllIINfi    THE  •  ADMIXISTFIATION   OF    EACH 

GOVEIINOli,    KliOM    THE    OHO AXIZATIOX    OF    THE    TF.HIIITOUEAI, 

GOVEUXMENT    DOWN    TO    CiOVEllXOU    TAYLOR; 


WITU 


C5 
b: 

E 
H 

Pd 

X 


HISTOmCAL  AND    DKSCTJTPTIVF.  SKKTCnES   OP  EACH    COUNTY   FN 

THE  STATE  REI'AllATEIA',   EMHUACING  TNTEHESTINO  IVAKRA- 

TIVE8  OF  IMONKEIt  UTK;   INCLUDING  AN  ACCOUNT  OP 

THE   COMMEUCIAK,    ACiUICUI/rUUAL,   AND 

EDUCATIONAL  GUOWTH   OP 

WISCONSIN. 

BY    CHARLES    R.    TUTTLE, 

Author  of  "  lllufltralrd  Ilixtury  of  the  State  of  Indiani."  "  Ilhiitrttpd  Iliitoryof  the  Border  W«n 
of  Two  CciituricB,"  "  llliutratcd  History  of  thu  State  ut  Uichigau,"  Jto. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


SOL.O    ONLY    BY    CANVASSING    AGENTS. 


PUBLISHED    BY  B.  B.   RUSSELL,   BOSTON,   MASS. 

MADISON,  WIS.:    B.  B.  RUSSELL  &  CO. 
1875. 


Entereii  according  to  Act  of  Congress  In  the  year  187B,  by 

B.  B.  KussELL  AXD  Charles  B.  Tuttle, 
lu  the  OIHco  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Wasliington. 


BosTox : 

8TKBEOTTPKD   AND   PRIRTKD   BT 

Baho,  Avbby,  k  Co. 


TO 


WILLIAM  RUDOLPH   SMITH 


LYMAN  C.   DRAPER, 


TO  THE  JOINT   LABORS   OF  WHOM    THE  AUTHOR    IB    INDEBTED    FOR 
VALUABLE     MATERIALS, 


THIS  VOLUME 


IS   RESPECTFULLY    DEDICATED. 


^A^(\^ 


p  R  p:  f  ace. 


In  the  preparation  of  this  volume,  I  have  not  aimed  so  much 
lit  literary  excellence  as  to  produce  a  work  of  usefulness.  The 
materials  for  its  paj^jes  were  ripe  in  abundance  ;  and  it  has  been 
a  work  of  no  little  difficulty  to  select  from  tliese  contemporariea 
subjects  most  appropriate  for  a  History  of  Wisconsin,  and  to 
group  them  in  the  order  best  calculated  to  niiiice  their  presenta- 
tion acceptable.  In  the  pursuit  of  this  end,  the  following 
range  of  general  subjects  has  been  considered  in  the  order 
designated. 

The  opening  chapters  are  intended  to  familiarize  tlie  reader 
with  the  physical  and  antiquariitn  features  of  the  Territory  now 
embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  State.  This  is  not  only 
necessary  to  a  better  understanding  of  the  events  that  have 
transpired  upon  it,  but  furnishes  in  itself  much  of  interest  and 
instruction. 

The  EARLY  HISTORY  of  Wisconsin  constitutes  the  second  dis- 
tinguishing feature.  In  tiiis  part,  pains  have  been  taken  to 
present  a  strictly  chronological  narrative  of  all  the  important 
events  in  the  early  history  of  the  Territory,  covering  a  period 
from  its  first  exploration  by  the  French  down  to  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Territorial  Government,  in  1836. 

The  tliird  division  of  the  work  may  be  designated  by  a  cyclo- 
pasdia  of  legislation  during  the  administrations  of  each  of  the 
governors,  from  Dodge  to  Taylor  inclusive.  It  is  believed  that 
the  vast  amount  of  labor  which  has  been  expended  in  condensing 
this  digest  from  the  official  documentary  journals  will  result  in 
the  enlargement  of  useful  information  among  the  people  of  the 

s 


PRKFACE. 


State,  —  information  tendinis  to  familiarizo  the  citizen  witli  the 
stiitutoiy  laws,  as  well  as  with  the  legishition  by  wliich  tliey 
were  enacted.  Tiiis  pliasc  of  the  volume  includes  a  review  of 
Wisconsin's  record  in  tlio  war  for  the  Union,  as  also  a  brief 
mention  of  the  consecuiive  political  contests  that  have  char- 
acterized tiie  State  and  Territorial  Governments. 

The  volume  closes  with  statistical  and  descriptive  sketches 
of  each  county  in  the  State,  presenting  at  a  single  glance  the 
present  condition  of  every  county,  with  its  facilities  for  future 
growth  and  development. 

I  have  been  assisted  in  the  compilation  of  this  work  by 
Daniel  S.  Durrie,  Librarian  of  the  Wisconsin  State  Historical 
Society,  especiall)'  in  (he  legislative  and  war  records  of  the 
State,  with  which  he  had  become  familiar.  I  am  also  largely 
indebted  to  the  Collections  of  the  Historical  Society,  and  indi- 
rectly, through  tliese  Collections,  to  the  labors  of  Dr.  Lyman 
C.  Drajjcr,  wiio  has  for  more  than  forty  years  spent  much  time 
and  means  annually  in  enlarging  the  usefulness  of  the  society. 

Witii  each  edition  of  this  work,  additional  chapters  will  be 
added,  bringing  the  records  down  to  the  latest  possible  date, 
thereby  keeping  pace  with  the  march  of  events. 

CHARLES  R.  TUTTLE. 
Madison,  Wis.,  Septuinber,  1875. 


m. 
48 


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73 


83 


90 


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99 

Si-.M.K  OF  Mn.t-.S 


KlUUM  _______ 

5        ID  lo  lo 


■iixiii'd  r-.rjir,  Axlif   lor 
liitths  Hislorii  of  W'isroiLsiit. 


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CONTENTS. 


CIIArXER   I. 

GENERAL   DESCRIPTIOX. 

«  PAOB. 

Physical  Features  —  Geology  and  Minerals  — Climate,  Soil,  and  Productions 
—  Antiquities .49 


CHArTEU  n. 

CHRONOLOGY   OF   WISCONSIN   FROM   1639   TO  1848. 


.    02 


CHAPTER  m. 

INDIAN    TRIBES   OF    WIBCONBIN. 


72 


CHAPTER    IV. 

EARLY   HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

The  French  in  America  —  Tlio  Fur  Trade  —  Jesuit  Missionaries  —  Jean 
Nicollet— Green  Bay  —  Its  Eirly  History  —  Labors  of  Fatlier  Allor.ez, 
Dablon,  Andr(5,  Marquette,  and  otliers  — La  Salle,  &o 

CHAPTER  V. 

EARLY    HISTORY   OP   WISCONSIN. 

Green  Bay  and  Prairie  du  Cliieu  — Early  .Jesuit  Missionaries  —  The  Fox, 
Saulc,  and  Frendi  Wars  —  Growtli  of  tlie  Frencli  Settlements  —  Green  Bay 
in  1745  — End  of  French  Dominion  — British  Supremacy         .        .       .       . 

CHAPTER    VI. 

EARLY    HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

Green  Bay  and  Prairio  <lu  Cliien  —  Charles  De  Langlade  —  Conflict  between 
the  Americans  and  lUilish  in  tho  Nortli-west  —  A  Glance  at  the  Settle- 
ments in  Wisconsin  at  the  Close  of  the  Itevolutionary  War  — The  Surren- 
der to  the  United  States  by  the  British 

y 


90 


99 


8  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

GREEN    UAY   FROM    1790   TO    1836. 

PAOB. 

The  "War  of  1812  —  Bre^tion  of  Fort  Howard  —  Tlio  Early  Settlement  of 
Green  Bay  —  Travels  and  Adventures  —  Niunlier  aiid  Condition  of  the 
Indians  —  Tlie  Kinhryo  City  of  Green  Bay  —  Arrival  of  Government  Troops 

—  The  Early  I^iul  Traflic  —  Green  Bay  i  :  181.'4  —  Indian  Troubles  —  Murder 

—  Formation  of  the  Wisconsin  Territory,  &c 103 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

FRAIRIE    DU   CIIIEX    FROM    1796    TO   1836. 

Description  of  Trairie  du  Chien  in  1803  — Tlie  Fur  Trade— AVar  of  1812  — 
Capture  of  rtairie  du  Chien  —  Deternnned  Besintanco  — The  Fur  Trade  after 
the  Peace  of  1815—  Major  Long's  Observations  of  the  Fort  and  Village,  &c.,  113 

CHAPTER    IX. 

EARLY    IIISTOUY    OF   WISCONSIN. 

The  War  of  1812  in  the  North-west  — Operations  at  Prairie  du  Chien— Col. 
JIcKay  and  his  Forces  —  An  Ac(.ouut  of  the  Capture  at  I'rairie  du  Cliien  by 
Col.  McKay  — Scenes  and  Incidents  of  the  Surrender 119 

CHAPTER   X. 

EARLY    HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

The  Early  History  of  the  Lead  Mines  — The  Lead  Excitement  —  Slavery  in 
the  Mines — Description  of  the  Country  —  Insults  to  the  AVinnebagoes  — 
Shocking  Murders  at  I'rairie  du  Chien —The  AViunebago  Outrages  —  Great 
Excitement  at  Prairie  du  Chien  —  Arrival  of  Troops 128 

CHAPTER    XI. 

EARLY   HISTORY  —  WINNEDAGO   WAR. 

Major  Wlilstler'g  Operations  —  The  Surrender  near  the  Portage—  End  of  the 
AVar— Treaty  of  Peace  — An  Indian  prefers  Honor  to  Life  — A  Native 
prizes  his  AVord  higher  than  Life  —  A  AVell-nierited  Beprieve         .       .       ,138 

CHAPTER    XII. 

PIONEER    RECOLLECTIONS. 
Early  Settlers  —  Pioneer  Agriculture  —  Stills  —  Prices  and  Features  of  Traiflc 

—  Interesting  Eemluisceuces  —  Sketches  of  Travel  and  Adventure       .       .  143 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

THE  PIONEERS  OF  WISCONSIN. 

CHAPTER   XIV. 


149 


THE    BLACK    HAWK    WAR. 

The  Sanks  anil  Foxes  — British  Interference  — Black  Hawk  and  his  AVrongs 
—  Battle  of  Stillnian's  Run  —  Battle  of  the  Pecatonica  —  Battle  of  AViscon- 
»in  Heights  —  The  Battle  of  Bad  Axe—  Capture  of  Black  Hawk,  &c.    .        .  ]5;j 


CONTENTS.  » 

CHAPTER    XV. 

THE   NORTH-WESTERN  TERRITORY. 

PAGE. 
Tbe  Old  North-western  Territory  —  Virsinia's  Jurisdiction  —  Ordinance  of 
1787  —  Organization  of  Indiana,  Michigan,  Illinois,  and  Wiscon.iin  Terri- 
tories—  Tlie  First  Settlers  of  Wisconsin  —  Green  Bay  —  Military  Govern- 
ment—  Courts  and  Trials 17G 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

THE   TERRITORIAL  OOVERSMEXT. 

Wisconsin  Territory  — Its  Ori<:;inal  Boundaries  — Civil  Rights,  &o.  —  Elec- 
tions—  Early  Legislation  — Gov.  Dodge  —  Hanks  —  The  Capital  —  Specida- 
tiou — Madisou — Tbe  Kijjht  over  the  Location  of  the  Seat  of  Government,     189 

CHAPTER    XVn. 

THE  TERRITORIAL  COVEIIXMEXT. 

Building  Coramissioners  —  Their  Journey  from  Jlilwaukee  to  the  Site  of 
Madison  — Condilion  of  tlie  Territory  —  The  Iloutes  and  Modes  of  Travel  — 
Early  Land  Sales  — The  Sijuattors  and  their  Exponents  —  Seccmil  Session  of 
the  Territorial  I^egislature  —  The  Wi-iconsiu  University  —  Educational  — 
Early  Schools  — The  Milwaukee  and  Jlock  lUver  Canal  Company  —  Special 
Bession  of  the  Legislature 197 

CHAPTER    XVni. 

THE  TERRITORIAL  GOVERXMEXT. 

Population  and  Apportionment- The  First  T.egislative  Assemlily  at  Madison 
—  The  Condition  of  the  New  Ca|iitcil  —  Hog<  and  Assendily-Men  in  the 
Same  Ten — Amusing  IJemiiilsiciues  — The  Now  (Old)  Capitol  Wrangle  — 
luvestigatiug  Comuiiltees  —  Itecess — Second  Session — Laws  passed,  &o.     .  209 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE  TERRITORIAL  GOVERXMEXT. 

Land  and  Boundary  Questions  —  Courts  —  A  Contested  Election  Case  —  The 
Sllnernl  Point  Bank  —  Us  Failure  — Capitol  luiproveiiients— Tlie  "Baxter 
Claim" — Oen.  I>odf^  siureeded  liy  .lames  Duaue  Doty  —  The  Latter's 
Views  —  Dilliculties  —  The  Ijoaii  Agent  and  his  Differences  with  the  Canal 
ComuiisHiouers  —  Injurious  EiTects 219 


CHAPTER   XX. 

THE   TERRITORIAL  G0VER.V5IEXT. 

Gov  Doty'a  Conflicts  with  the  Lo;;l-<lature— The  Canal  Company  Tragedy 
in  the  Council  Clmuilier — Hot  Debate  —  One  Mendier  shoots  Another  — 
ropulatiou  — New  Ap()oilionmeut  —  Uaidiruptcy  Laws,  &c 226 


10 


CONTENTS. 


CIIAPTEK    XXI. 

THE  TERRITOIIIAL  OOVKUXMEXT. 

PAOB. 

War  betxveen  tlie  Oovernor  aii<l  the  Lcui-itntme  — The  Governor  prevents  flie 
Sossioii  o{  the  IiC^;ishiHtr«  In  refiiihi^  lo  fo-operrttc  — A  .roint  IlBSolution 
is  passed,  pniyiiic  the  rresideiit  to  remove  tlie  Oovcnior  —  Tlie  Session  of 
Vetos  — Ijively  Coiillicts  — InlLMC-ttiu;;  IleiiiliiiscenceH  — Seeoml  Session  — A 
Stale  Oovoinnieut  de-iiieil  —  Tlie  (Jnvernor's  OrthoKrapliy  —  Tlie  Debt  — 
The  First  Ta-':  —  Govs.  Taliiiailjie  and  IJuwey  —  Itenry  Dodge  asaiu  ap- 
pointed Governor— I'ruvisiuns  fciv  {oniiin;{  a  Statb  Governuieut    .        .       .231 

CHAPTER    XXir. 

TKnRITOniAL    OOVF.IIXMEXT. 

Gov.  Dodge's  Second  Administration  — Indiiin  Tronliles  —  Vote  on  IiavinR  a 
Stale  —  CoiigressiiMial  Measures  <!naliliii;;  the  People  of  WistMnisin  to  form 
a  Stale  Government  —  First  Ouiistiuitional  Conveutiou- Its  Work  rejected 
by  the  People 210 

CIIAPTEli    XXIII. 

TERniTOniAL    COVKHNMEXr  —  OOV.    DODGE's   SECOXD    ADMINISTRATION. 
The  Serond   Constitutional  Convention  —  The  Supreme  and   other  Courts^ 
Conjiiessioiial   I^:jisla'.ion  —  The  Work  of  the  .Second  Constitutional  Con- 
vention ratilied  by  the  People  —  Wisconsin  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a 
Sovereign  State  — Statistics  — Keview 246 

CHAPTER    XXIV. 

ADMIXISTRATION    OF    XELSOX    DEWEY. 

OrEaniz-ation  of  the  Stjite  Government  — Itevi 'ion  of  tl.o  Statutes  —  Organisa- 
tion of  the  State  Uuivirsity  —  The  Presidential  Campaign — The  Free-Soil 
Party 254 

CHAPTER    XXV. 

ADMIXISTRAVIOX   OF   (iOV.    XELSOX   DEWEY.  * 

Second  Session  of  the  State  Legislature- Gov.  Dewey's  Afessage- The  Slave- 
ry Qnestion  —  The  Stale  Legislature  outspoken  on  the  Subject  —  Dewey's 
lie-election  —  Election  Statistics  —  Great  Increase  of  Population  —  The 
AViunebago  Scare  — The  Opening  of  the  University —  State  Prison,  &c.        .  200 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 

ADMIXISTRATIOX   OF   GOV.    L.    .T.    FARWEII,. 
Events  of  1832  —  Governor's  Message  — Land  Grant  Diflicnlties  — liCgislatlou 
Statistics  — A  Cyclopiedia  of  Events  during  the  Year  1»52       .       .       .       .273 


CHAPTER    XXVH. 

ADMINISTRATION    OK   OOV.    L.    J.    FARWELL. 

Events  of   IR.'J.I  —  Legislation  —  Trial  of   Judge  Ilubbell-  State  Historical 
Society  —  Election  Contest,  &e 270 


CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

ADMIN-ISTIIATION    OF    GOV.    nARSTOW. 


11 


PAOE. 


Eventi  of  1854 — LeKlslntioii — Newspaper  CiitlciHiua  on  tlie  Leprlslature  — 
Great  Exoiteiiient  in  Milu-iiiik«e  iiml  Knriiie  over  a  FiiKttive  Slave  —  Uia 
AiTe:<t.  auil  Capture — LiliKalluu  — Tim  Suliuui  Uuai'd  Vruuii    ,        .        .        .287 

CIIAPTKR    XXIX. 

ADMINISTIIATION    OK   GOV.    BARSTOW. 

Events  of  1853  —  I^$;^slatiuii  —  General  l'nt;;i'eHS  uf  Private  and  Public  Affairs,  299 


ClIArTEIl   XXX. 

GOV.    MAltSTOW's   8KCOXD   TERM. 

Events  of  18oC  — Tlie  Gubeniatoriul  FlKlit—  Barstow  vt,  Baslifonl 


309 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

THE    BARSTOW-BASIIKOKD    CO.NKLICT   CONTINUED. 

Events  of  1850  —  DerNloii  of  tlie  Siiproiiie  Court  —  liesiKiiMinn  nf  Gov.  Hbt- 
stow  —  Plmk  of  l.ieiit.-CJiiv.  McArtlmr  —  f!ov.  liaihronl  uniiis  the  Day,  and 
is  placed  iu  Cliarge  uf  tliu  Exeuiitivu  OIHt'e  — l.JijUlatiou,  jw  •        .        .320 

CHAPTER   XXXII. 

ADMIMITIIATION   OF   GOV.    DASHFORD. 

Events  of  1857  —  Le-iishitioii  —  Klei-tion  of  Uuited  States  Senator  —  Leglsla- 
tiou  —  The  Capital  — Klectioii  Contest,  &o 332 

CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

ADMINISTRATION    OK   GOV.   RANDALL. 

Evenlf,  .if  IR-W  —  Tlio  flcivernor'H  Message—  Alle<xeil  Framls  conceniinKLand 
GninLi  — Tlie  Iiive.sti(;ailou  —  IJill  for  the  Uumuvul  of  the  Capital  to  Milwau- 
kee—  Leijiiilatiou 811 

CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

ADMINISTRATION   OF  GOV.    RANDALL. 

Events  of  1850— lyefrisUiiion —The  Hashfonl  luvestigation  — The  State  Instl- 
tutiuuii — Death  of  Chiuf-JuHtice  Wheatou 853 


CHAPTER   XXXV. 

ADMINISTRATION   OF   GOV.    RANDALL. 

Events  of  18ri0  — Statistics— Legistlation  — Presidential  Election- 
siuuai  Kleutiun,  &c. 


-  Congres- 


12 


CONTEXTS. 
CHAPTER    XXX\T 


ADMIXISTKATIOX   OF    COV.    RANDALt. 

PAQB, 

Events  of  ISfil  —  Lpj;i>ilation  — Tlie  Tlmiulers  of  Civil  Wnr  trenking  over  the 
State  —  The  ricsiileiit'!*  I'rouhunuioii  —  Gov.  ItamlaU'a  rrocluiiiation  — 
Preparations  for  War 308 

CHAPTER  xxxvn. 

Wisconsin's  wau  iiecord. 

Events  of  isr.l  —  Movements  in  lielialf  of  Soldiers'  Families  — Liberal  Sub- 
scriptions—  Tlie  First  lie^imciit— Its  Tliree-SIonths'  Itcccird  —  The  Seconil 
Ite^'inicnt— Camp  I'amlall  —  The  Tiiinl  Itegiinent  —  Tlie  Fourth,  Fifth, 
Sixtli,  Seventh,  Eit-hth,  Nintli,  Tenth,  Eleventh,  Twelfth,  aud  Thirteenth 
Itegimeuts 375 

CHAPTER  xxxvnr. 

Wisconsin's  war  hecord. 

Events  of  IRGl,  continued  —  Ucp;imcntal  History  —  Gov.  Tlandall's  Froclama- 
tion  calling  aSjjecial  Session  of  the  Ix^gishiture  — Legislation  —  The  War,  &o.   387 

CHAPTER   XXXIX. 

Wisconsin's  war  rkcord. 

Events  of  lSfi2 —Administration  of  Gov.  Harvey  and  Lieut.-Gov.  Edward 
Salomon  —  Sail  Death  of  Gov.  Haivey  —  Consternation  throughout  the 
State  at  his  Death  —  Legislation  —  Investigations,  &c 896 

CHAPTER    XL. 

ADMINISTRATION    OF   GOV.    SALOMON. 

Events  of  18n2  —  T^gislntion  —  Tlie  Draft —Opposition  to  the  Same  — High 
I'itcli  of  the  AVar  Excitement  —  Indian  Troubles  in  Minnesota  and  on  onr 
Western  Border       .        .  400 

CHAPTER    XLI. 

Wisconsin's  war  record. 

Events  of  18fi2,  continued  —  Regimental  History  —  Incidents  and  Accidents 
of  the  War 4H 


CHAPTER   XLII. 

Wisconsin's  war  record. 

Events  nt  lS(i2,  continued  —  Regimental  History  —  Bravery  of  WiHconsln 
Soldiers  —  Echoes  from  the  Battle-FieldH 422 


CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER   XLin. 


13 


Wisconsin's  war  record. 

PAGE. 

Events  of  1802,  conHnnetl  — Kesimental  Ilistory  —  The  War  Eeconl  to  tlie 
Close  uf  tbe  Year  18G2  —  Meinorio!)  of  the  Battle-Field 433 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 

ADMINISTRATION  OP   GOV.    SALOMON. 

Events  of  1803  — Administration  of  Gov.  Salomon  —  Legislation  —  Election 
Contest  of  18(13  —  Election  of  James  T.  Lewis  as  Governor  — Triiiinpli  of 
the  Kepubllcan  Party 4iiii 

CHAPTER   XLV. 

Wisconsin's  war  record. 

Events  of  1803  — Regimental  History  —  Progress  of  the  "War  — Triumphs  and 
Defeats  —  Echoes  from  the  Battle-Fiehls  —  Bravery  of  Wisconsin  Soldiers  .  407 

CHAPTER    XLVI. 
Wisconsin's  war  record. 
Events  of  1803,  contiuned  —  Regimental  History  —  The  Progress  of  the  War 


—  Battle-Field  Incidents 


470 


CHAPTER    XLVII. 

Wisconsin's  war  record. 

Events  of  1803,  continued — Military  History  of  Wisconsin  during  the  Ye.ar 
1863  — Regimental  Records  — The  Cavalry 491 

CHAPTER   XLVIH. 

administration  of  gov.  lewis. 

Events  of  1804— Legislatior —War  Measures  —  Military  Operations  within 
the  State 804 

CHAPTER  XLIX. 

Wisconsin's  war  record. 

Events  of  1804  —  Regimental  History  —  Sketches  of  the  First,  Second,  Third, 
Fourth,  Fifth,  Sixth,  Seventh,  Eighth,  Ninth,  Tenth,  and  Eleventh  Regi- 
ments—Their  Operations  in  18(i4 612 


CHAPTER   L. 

Wisconsin's  war  record. 

Events  of  1804,  continued  —  Regimental  History  —  Army  Movements—  Batlle- 
Field  Incidents BiBi 


14  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   LI. 
Wisconsin's  war  hecobd. 

PAOE. 

Events  of  1804,  continued  — ileHiincntal  History —  Acciilents  ami  Inciaents 
of  War  —  Jlovoinents  of  ■Wisconsin  Troops 840 


CHAPTER   LII. 
Wisconsin's  war  recohd. 
Events  of  1801,  concluileil  —  Miiitary  Matters  —  Kegimental  History  —  Battle- 
Fleld  Pictures  —  Home  Politics  —  Election 803 


CHAPTER   LIU. 

ADMINISTRATION    OF    GOV.    LEWIS. 

Events  of  ISfi.")  — Legislation  — Message  of  Gov.  Lewis  — War  Measures— 
Surrender  of  Gen.  Lee  — The  Draft,  &o 867 

CHAPTER   LIV. 

WISCONSIN'S    WAB    RECORD. 

Events  of  lUKi,  continued  — KeKimental  History  —  Battle-Fleld  Scenes  and 
Incidents  —  The  Last  Year  of  the  War 673 


CHAPTER   LV. 

Wisconsin's  war  becobd. 

Events    of    ISfi.'),    continued  —  Conclusion   of   War   History  ■ 
Echoes  —  Wisconsin's  Name  and  Fame        ,       .       •       . 


■  BaUle-Field 


CHAPTER    LVI. 

administration    of   gov.    FAIRCniLD. 

Events  of  ISfiO  — Leslslation  — Full  Keports  from  the  State  Institutions  — 
Statistics— The  Soldiers'  Orphans'  Home  —  Public  Services  of  Mrs.  Harvey,  698 

CHAPTER   LVH. 

ADMINISTRATION  OF  GOV.    FAIRCHILD. 

Events  of  ISTiT- Legislation- Statistics  — Death  of  Senator  Hadley  — Con- 
test for  the  United  States  Senatorship—  Criticisms  on  the  Legislature  .       .  604 


CHAPTER   LVHI. 

SECOND    ADMINISTRATION    OF   GOV.    FAIRCHILD. 

Events  of  1808  — Legislation  — Statistics  — Description  of  the  State  Capitol  — 
Election  Contest  —  Presidential  Election 610 


CONTENTS; 
CHAPTER  LIX. 


15 


SECOND    ADMINISTKATION  OF  007.  FAIRCIIILD. 

PAQB. 

Events  of  1809  — Legislation  — Statistics— State  Election  of  1869— Contest 
in  the  liCKislature  for  the  United  States  Seuatorship  —  >L  H.  Carpenter 
Successful >..•.  616 

CHAPTER   LX. 

TUIRD    ADMINISTRATION    OF   GOV.  FAIRCHILD. 

Erents  of  1870 — Legislation  and  Stnlii'tics  —  A  Movement  to  reuiove  the 
Capital  to  Milwaukee  fails  — View  of  the  State  Institutions    ,       ,       ,       .620 

CHAPTER   LXI. 

THIRD   ADMINISTRATION   OF  GOV.    FAIRCHILD. 

Events  of  1871  —  Cyclopicdia  of  LeRisIation  —  Statistics  —  Election  Contest  — 
Election  of  Washburn  for  Governor  —  Defeat  of  Doolittle      ....  623 


CHAPTER   LXII. 

ADMINISTRATION    OF   GOV.    WASURUiUT. 

Legislation,  &c.  — 


Events  of  1872  —  An  Account  of  the  Great  Fires  of  1871 
Election  —  Statistics 


629 


CHAPTER    LXIII. 

ADMINISTRATION   OP   GOV.    WASHBURN. 

Events  of  1873  — LoRislation -Statistics- Closing  Events  of  Gov.  Wash- 
linrn's  Administration  —  The  Election  of  1873  —  Defeat  of  the  Republican 
Party 636 

CHAPTER  LXIV. 

ADMINISTRATION   OF   GOV.   W.    B.    TAVXOB. 

Events  of  1874  — First  Message  of  Gov.  Taylor  —  Legislation  —  Statistics — 
Itailroad  Litigation 641 

CHAPTER    LXV. 

ADMINISTRATION    OF    GOV.    W.    R.    TAYLOR. 

Events  of  1876  —legislation  —State  Institutions— The  United  Stat«s  Senator- 
ship  Contest  —  Defeat  of  Carpenter  —  Triumph  of  Cameron   ....  650 


CHAPTER   LXVI. 

SKETCHES   OF   COUNTIES. 

The  Agricultural,  Mineral,  Lumbering,  Educational,  and  Manufacturing  Re- 
sources and  Developments  of  AVisoousin  by  Counties  —  Notes  and  Statistics 
of  the  leading  Cities  of  Wisconsin ggg 


Ifl  CONTENTS. 

CIIAPTEU   LXVII. 
Wisconsin's  women. 
Short  niograpliiool  Sketches  of  the  Pioneer  and  I'ronjlnent  Women  of  "Wls- 


cousiu 


6»8. 


CHAPTER   LXVIII. 

Wisconsin's  men. 

Brief  Biographical  Sketches  of  the  Plouoer  anU  l^rominent  Men  of  Wisconsin,  720 


INDEX  TO  COUNTIES. 


FAOB. 

A(lam8  .        .        . 366 

Ashland 657 

Bayfield 657 

liarron 658 

l?rown 659 

Buffalo 661 

Biirnette 662 

Calumet 662 

Chippewa 662 

Clark 664 

Columbia 664 

Crawford 685 

Daue 668 

Dodge 686 

Door 667 

Douglas 668 

Dunn 668 

Eau  Claire     . 688 

Fond  du  Lao 669 

Grant 670 

Green 671 

Green  Lake 671 

Iowa 672 

Jackson 672 

JefEerson 673 

Juneau 673 

Kenosha 673 

Kewaunee 674 

La  Crosse 675 

Lafayette 676 

Manitowoc     ..,........■•  677 

Marathon 678 

a  17 


18 


Marquotte 
Mihvutikeo 
Moiiroo  . 

OODlltO    . 

Outiiffauiio 

Ozaukee 

P«inn    . 

Pierce    . 

Polk      . 

Portage 

Racino  . 

Richland 

Rock      . 

St.  Croix 

Sauk      . 

Shawano 

Sliuboygan 

Taylor   . 

Trempoaleau . 

Vernon 

Walworth 

Wasliington 

Waukesha 

Waupaoca 

Waushara 

AVinnebago 

Wood    . 


INDEX  TO  COU STIES. 


PAOS. 

.  679 

.  070 

.  080 

.  081 

.  082 

.  081 

.  084 

.  085 

.  C8o 

.  685 

.  080  * 

.  087 

.  087 
.  680 
.  080 
.  000 
.  090 
.  0!)'2 
.  00-2 
.  69'2 
.  OOiJ 
.  004 
.  004 
.  Of/5 
,  f05 
.  dOfl 
.  607 


INDEX  TO  WISCONSIN'S  WOMEN. 


Ann'f.ke,  Mrs.        .        . 
Harstow,  Mrs.  Maria  . 
Kiiin,  Mrs.  I'riisper 
llutixsoN,  Mrs.  I'iinina   . 
Cami'iikm-,  Mrs.  Loriiula 
Colt,  Mrs.  Iloiirictta  L. 
DoDOK,  .Mrs.  Dorotlipa  G. 
DoDdK,  Mrs.  Gov.  Ilunry 
Doty,  Mrs.  .Sarah  C.     . 
Faiiic'iiii.i),  Mrs.  Sally 
Fakwki.l,  Mrs.  Francos  A. 
IIai!Vi;v,  .Mrs.  Conlolia  A.  1 
IIa/ki.tine,  Mrs.  Dorcas 
JuNKAiT,  Mrs.  Jost'ttf    . 
Ki-iNi:.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  . 
Lkwis,  Mrs.  Oriiiia 
MKNAitn,  Mrs.  Mary  A. 
Mii.i.s,  Xfrs.  Maria  Louisa 
Pahkinson,  Mrs.  llubecca 
Pkck,  Mrs.  Rosaline 
rKNXocK,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  J. 
UoY.  Mrs.  Arnable 
Ri;sK,  Mrs.  Mary  J. 
Salomon,  Mrs.  Eliza     . 
SciiiXDLKlt,  Jlr.i.  Thereso 
Smith,  Miss  Nanny 
St.  John,  Mrs.  Samuel 
TiCHKNon,  Mrs.  Abby  . 
WlIKELKll,  Ella      . 

VVjlson,  AIis.  Gardner . 


Paob. 
.  702 
.  710 
.  708 
.  774 
.  711 
.  717 
.  715 
.  000 
.  707 
.  698 
.  715 
.  000 
.  718 
.  Vl'-» 
.  712 
.  710 
.  714 
.  710 
.  711 
.  710 
.  701 
.  713 
.  703 
.  70.3 
.  719 
.  713 
.  713 
.  700 
.  704 
.  718 


10 


INDEX  TO  WISCONSIN'S  MEN. 


Allen,  Hon.  George  W. .        .790 

Arnold,  Col.  James  Middleton 788 

Atwood,  Hon.  David 777 

Baird,  Hon.  Henry  S 730 

Barron,  Hon.  Henry  D .        .        .        .  789 

BiNTLiFF,  Gen.  Jamea 785 

Blair,  Hon.  Franklin  J 754 

Blake,  Hon.  Lucius  S 785 

Bragg,  Edward  S 775 

BuAYTON,  Alfred  Augustus 795 

Brayton,  Judge  Thomas 795 

BuoDHEAD,  E.  H.,  C.  E 787 

Brunson,  Rev.  Alfred,  AM.,  D.D. 773 

Brunson,  Hod.  Ira  B.      .        .  ' 780 

Campbell,  Hon.  James 741 

Case,  Hon.  Jerome  1 745 

Catlin,  Hon.  John 707 

CiiAi'iN,  Hon.  E.  E 771 

Chapman,  Hon.  T.  A 770 

Chase,  Hon.  Enoch,  M.D 780 

Chase,  Hon.  Horace 792 

CoNODON,  G.  B 771 

Cot/.hausen,  Frederick  William 780 

Dahlman,  John 783 

Davis,  Hon.  H  ratio  Nelson 743 

DonoE,  Hon.  Henry 743 

Doty,  Hon.  J.  D 744 

Douglass,  J.  S.,  A.M 743 

Draper,  Lyman  C 797 

Elwill,  Hon.  E.       .        . ,  789 

Fairchild,  Gen.  Cassiua 724 

Fairchild,  Hon.  Jairus  Caasius 724 

20 


INDEX  TO   WISCONSIN'S  MEN. 


21 


rAOB. 

FAincniLD,  Hon.  Lucius 720 

Farwei-l,  Gov.  Leonard  J.       . 735 

FisK,  lion.  Joel  S 779 

FisK,  Hon.  W.  J. 780 

Frank,  Hon.  M 782 

Frisby,  Hon.  Leander  F. 772 

Gage,  Dr.  M.  R 764 

Graham,  Hon.  Carson 793 

GuppEV,  Gen.  Joshua  J 708 

Harbiman,  Joseph  E 775 

Harrison,  Hon.  Jerome  B 759 

Harvey,  Hon.  Louis  P. 735 

Henni,  Archbishop  John  M 737 

Hopkins,  Hon.  Benjamin  Franklin 742 

Houghton,  Charles  E.,  M.D 790 

Hunt,  Dr.  John  Warren 734 

HuRLBUT,  Hon.  Edwin ''55 

Irish,  Rev.  Joseph  E 775 

Juneau,  Hon.  Paul 800 

Juneau,  Hon.  Solomon 731 

Kellogg,  Hon.  Levi  H 793 

Ki  LLY,  David  Marsh 794 

Kingston,  Hon.  John  Tabor 799 

KuEiiN,  Hon.  Ferdinand 770 

Lewis,  Hon.  James  T > 779 

Loc  K.WOOD,  Hon.  James  H 738 

MAi:iARLANE,  Hon.  Hugh 759 

JfclNDOE,  Hon.  Walter  D 799 

Man.v,  Judge  J.  E 769 

Martin,  lion.  Morgan  L. 709 

Merbili,,  William  P 792 

MoFFATT,  .Judge  John  Shaw 739 

Mills,  Hon.  Simeon •  740 

Myrrick,  Nathan 739 

Nazro,  John 794 

Noggle,  Hon.  David 758 

Pahdy,  Judge  William  S 786 

Parker,  Hon.  Charles  D. 767 

Parkinson,  Col.  Daniel  M 740 

Paul,  Hon.  Georgu  II 729 

Pennock,  Kev.  Amos  C 791' 

Pkttitt,  Hon.  Milton  H 727 

Pope,  Hon.  Carl  C 769 

Prentiss,  Hon.  Theodore 795 

Randall,  Hon.  Alexander  W. 726 

BiCHARDBON,  Rev.  H.  Stone 779 


22 


INDEX  TO    WISCONSIN'S  MEN. 


RouNTHEE,  Hon.  John  H. 
KvAN,  Col.  Samuel    . 
Sai.omox,  Gov.  Edward    . 
Seymouu,  Daniel  E. 
SiLsnEE,  Arnzi  . 
Small,  Judge  David  W.  . 
Smith,  Angus  . 
Smith,  Hon.  Augustus  Ledyard 
Smith,  Rev.  Reeder  . 
S.MiTH,  Gen.  William  R.   . 
Smith,  Hon.  William  E.   . 
Si'OONEit,  Hon.  Wyman     . 
Starr,  Hon.  William 
Sutherland,  Hon.  James 
Taylor,  Hon.  William  R. 
Tyler,  Hon.  Thomas  B.  . 
Upham,  Hon.  Don  A.  J.   . 
Vilas,  Hon.  Levi  B. 
Walker,  Hox.  J.  P. 
Walworth,  Rev.  John    . 
Weld.  Prof.  Allen  Hayden 
Wheeler,  Lucius  A. 
WniTFoRD,  William  C,  A.M. 
Whiton',  Hon.  Edward  V. 
Whittlesey,  Hon.  Asaph,  Sen. 
Wight,  Orland  W.,  AM,  M.D. 
Williams,  Hon.  Charles  G. 
WiNo,  Alonzo   . 
Wolcott,  Gen.  Erastus  B.,  IM.D. 
YouMAN,  Hon.  Henry  A.,  M.D. 


page, 
.  757 
.  761 
.  736 
.  782 
.  750 
.  796 
.  707 
.  765 
.  781 
.  7:53 
.  750 
.  706 
.  767 
.  732 
.  747 
.  763 
.  765 
.  725 
.  727 
.  763 
.  768 
.  796 
.  728 
.  732 
.  762 
.  774 
.  761 
.  7.55 
.  760 
.  705 


INDEX  TO  PORTRAITS. 


J.  R.  Doolittle 
Philetus  Sawyer 
Ilou.  William  R.  Taylor 
James  T.  Lewis 
J.  I.  Case 
n.  Liidini^on 
John  Nazro    . 
Hon.  J.  T.  Kingston 
A.  II.  Wild   . 
Lucius  Fairchild 
Cassius  FairchilJ 
Gen.  E.  S.  Rragg 
AV.  E.  Smith 
J.  A.  Lapliam 
G.  W.  Allen  . 
Edward  El  will 
E.  P.  Allis     . 

D.  A.  J.  Upham 
II.  N.  DavLs  . 
L.  A.  Wheeler 

E.  II.  lirodhoad 
L.  V.  Frisby 
Jamns  Kneeland 
George  II.  Paul 
William   P.  Merrill 
Enoch  Chase 
Levi  II.  Kellogg 
John  Dahlman 
F.  J.  Hlair     . 
II.  S.  Allen    . 
Theodore  Prentiss 
Horace  Chase 


Page. 
.     53 
.     61 
.    07 
.    7:3 
.    79 
.    85 
.    91 
.    97 
.  103 
..109 
.  115 
.  121 
.  127 
.  183 
.  139 
.  145 
.  151 
.  157 
.  163 
.  109 
.  175 
.  181 
.  187 
.  103 
.  199 
.  205 
.  211 
.  217 
.  223 
.  229 
.  233 
.  211 


23 


24 


INDEX  TO  PORTRAITS. 


Edwin  Ilurlbut 
David  W.  SmaU 
David  Atwood 
Angus  Smith 
Itev.  R.  Smith 
R.  M.  Gage  . 
M.  Frank 

Charles  G.  Williams 
David  Xoggle 
Aloiizo  Wing 
Lucius  S.  Blake 
M.  L.  Martin 
Thomas  B.  Tyler 
J.  Vj.  llarriman 
Hugh  Macfarlane 
W.  Starr 
W.  C.  Whitford 
J.  E.  Mann    . 

C.  D.  Parker 
J.  J.  Guppey 
W.  II.  Chandler 
J.  M.  Beimett 
Carl  C.  Pope 
W.  J.  Fisk    . 
Charles  L.  Pierce 
Carson  Graham 
O.  AV.  Wight 
T.  A.  Chapman     . 
George  B.  Congdon 

D.  E.  Seymour 
D.  M.  Kelly  . 

F.  W.  Cotzliausen . 
C.  E,  Iloughman  . 

G.  T.  Mandt 
Hon.  John  Shuette 
John  S.  Jenkins  . 
Hon.  Alexander  Mitchell 
Rev.  A.  C.  Pennock 
Rev.  J.  E.  Irish  . 
Gen.  J.  C.  Starkweather 
Hon.  Peter  Doyle  . 
Hon.  L.  B.  Vilas  . 
Hon.  L.  II.  Youman 
Hon.  Nathan  Myrick 
Lyman  C.  Draper  . 
J.  S.  Douglass       . 


PAOK. 

.  247 
.  263 
.  259 
.  265 
.  271 
.  277 
.  283 
.  280 
.  295 
.  301 
.  807 
.  313 
.  319 
.  325 
.  381 
.  337 
.  843 
.  340 
.  355 
.  861 
.  367 
.  373 
.  379 
.  385 
.  391 
,  397 
.  403 
.  409 
.  415 
.  421 
.  427 
.  433 
.  439 
.  445 
.  451 
.  457 
.  403 
.  469 
.  475 
.  481 
.  487 
.  493 
.  499 
.  505 
.  511 
.  517 


INDEX  TO  PORTRAITS. 


25 


John  H.  Rountree 

Joel  S.  Fisk  . 

W.  S.  Purdy 

A.  Bronson    . 

J.  S.  Mofiatt 

E.  B.  Walcott 

D.  E.  Reed    . 

lion.  John  E.  Thomas 
H.  D.  Eaton  . 
Archbishop  Henni 
Robert  E.  Spencer 
Hon.  Frederick  Kuehn 
Hon.  A.  Ledyard  Smith 
Rev.  G.  M.  Steele 
Gen.  John  BintlifE 
R.  H.  Stone  Richardson 
H.  D.  Barron 
J.  M.  Arnold 
W.  G.  Ryan 
J.  B.  Harrison 
Dr.  D.  W.  Perkins 
Ira  B.  Brunson 
P.  J.  MacBride 
Asaph  Whittlesey . 


PAOE. 

.  523 
.  529 
.  535 
.  541 
.  547 
.  553 
.  559 
.  665 
.  571 
.  577 
.  583 
.  589 
.  596 
.  601 
.  607 
.  313 
.  619 
.  625 
,  631 
.  635 
.  639 
.  643 
.  647 
.  651 


cSosscuFfWsTrmuT 


INTRODUCTORY. 


Wisconsin,  although  not  the  greatest  .State  in  the  Union,  is  among 
the  greatest ;  and,  with  her  present  developments  and  vast  resources, 
she  may  be  considered  in  most  essentials  as  second  to  none.  Al- 
though young  in  years,  she  is  by  no  means  obscure  in  those  events 
which  render  historj'  full  of  interest  and  instruction ;  nor  have  the 
great  industries  of  the  State  lagged  in  their  march  to  prosperity. 

Agriculture  is  and  must  continue  to  be  the  chief  object  of  industry, 
and  the  foundation  of  much  of  tiie  wealth  of  the  people  of  the  State  ; 
but  wc  have  said  so  much  on  this  groat  and  leading  industry  in  the 
county  sketches,  in  the  latter  part  of  this  volume,  that  a  lengthy 
notice  of  it  in  this  place  is  made  superfluous. 

Manufacturing,  and  particularly  lumbering,  constitute  the  second 
great  industry  of  the  State.  In  fact,  lumbering  has  so  thoroughly 
entered  into  the  history  of  the  State,  that,  did  we  not  make  some 
mention  of  its  rise  and  progress  in  this  Introduction,  the  following 
chapters  would  seem,  at  least  in  this  respect,  void  of  that  complete- 
ness demanded.  Mr.  Augustin  Grignon,  in  his  "Seventy-two  Years' 
Recollections  of  Wisconsin,"  published  in  vol.  iii.  of  the  Collections 
of  the  State  Historical  Society,  says,  that  the  earliest  mill  in  the 
present  State  of  Wisconsin  was  erected  by  Jacob  Franks,  about  the 
year  1800.  He  first  built  a  saw-mill,  and  then  a  grist-mill.  They 
wore  located  on  Devil  River,  two  or  three  miles  east  of  De  Pere,  in 
the  present  county  of  Brown,  and  were  erected  for  Mr.  Franks  by  an 
American  named  Bradlej-.  In  1813  a  brother  of  Mr.  Grignon  erected 
a  grist  and  saw  m'"  on  Reaume's  Creek,  on  the  west  side  of  Fox 
River,  about  four  miles  above  Green  Baj*.  In  181G,  after  the  Ameri- 
cans had  taken  possession  of  that  place,  the  government,  having  use 
for  a  large  quantity  of  lumber  for  buildings  in  the  garrison  and  other 

39 


so 


INTRODUCTORY. 


fort  puri:)ose3,  caused  a  saw-mill  to  be  built  on  the  Fox  River,  at  the 
Litllc  Knnkalin. 

The  next  attempt  to  erect  a  saw-mill  was  made  by  Col.  John  Shaw, 
■who,  in  the  year  1819,  proceeded  up  Black  River  to  the  first  fall, 
about  six  feet  in  descent,  and  erected  a  mill  on  the  south-eastern 
bank  of  the  stream.  He  had  scarcely  succeeded  in  getting  it  fairly 
in  operation,  when  hundreds  of  Winuebagoes  came  tliere  in  a  starving 
condition,  and  importuned  him  for  every  tiling  he  had  for  eating  or 
wearing  purposes.  And  he  was  soon  left  without  supplies,  and 
returned  to  Prairie  du  Chien.  The  next  spring  he  went  up  there 
again,  and  found  the  Indians  had  burned  the  mill.  Mr.  Shaw  then 
rafted  down  a  quantity  of  pine-logs  he  had  cut  the  previous  year- 
Tins  is  believed  to  be  the  first  saw-mill  erected  in  Western  Wisconsin. 
During  the  same  year,  'Wilfred  Owens  of  Prairie  du  Chien,  then  con- 
nected in  business  with  the  late  Gov.  McNair  of  Missouri,  associated 
with  two  other  men  b^'  the  name  of  Andrews  and  Dixon,  built  a  saw- 
mill on  Black  River,  and  commenced  sawing  lumber ;  but,  before  they 
had  done  nmch  business,  the  mill  was  burnt,  supposed  to  have  been 
set  on  fire  hy  tiie  Winnebagoes.  The  mill  was  not  rebuilt,  owing  to 
the  declared  hostility  of  the  Winnebagoes  to  it. 

The  next  eflbrt  at  lumbering,  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  was 
made  in  the  jear  1822,  when  a  man  by  the  name  of  Harden  Perkins, 
from  Kentuckj-,  eame  to  Prairie  du  Chien  for  the  purpose  of  building 
a  s:nv-mill  in  tlie  Indian  country,  and  obtained  permission  from  Major 
Taliaferro,  then  agent  for  the  Sioux  Indians,  with  the  consent  of  the 
Indians,  to  erect  a  saw-mill  on  their  land  on  the  Chippewa  River  and 
tributaries ;  but  Perkins  not  having  the  capital  to  carry  out  his 
project,  or  suQlcient  influence  to  obtain  the  permission  of  the  Indians 
to  erect  this  mill,  solicited  Joseph  Rolette  and  J.  II.  Lockwood  of 
Prairie  du  Chien  to  join  him,  which  tliey  did,  and  contracted  with 
Wabashaw's  band  of  Sioux,  who  claimed  the  Chippewa  country,  for 
the  privilege  of  erecting  a  mill,  and  cutting  timber  for  it,  paying  them 
about  one  thousand  dollars  per  year  in  goods,  and  furnished  Perkins 
the  necessar3'  means  for  the  purchase.  He  proceeded  to  the  Menomo- 
nee  River,  and  on  a  small  stream  running  into  thr.t  river,  about 
twenty  miles  above  its  mouth,  erected  a  saw-mill,  and  had  it  so  near 
completed,  that  he  expected  to  commence  sawing  in  nvery  few  da3's, 
when  one  of  those  sudden  freshets  to  which  hilly  countries  are  sub- 
ject came  upoti  him,  and  swept  away  the  dam,  mill,  and  appendages ; 
and  Perkins  returned  to  Prairie  du  Chien  with  his  family  and  hands. 

Owing  to  ill-feeling  manifested  by  Col.  Snelling  at  Fort  Snclling, 
against  Mi-.  Perkins  in  his  efforts  to  erect  and  cairy  on  his  mill,  and 


INTRODUCTORY. 


81 


a  hostile  feeling  to  Mr.  Rolette  entertained  by  the  colonel,  Mr.  Per- 
kins concluded  not  to  rebuild  until  he  could  be  authorized  by  the 
authorities  at  Washington.  In  tlie  year  1829  permission  was  received 
from  tlie  secretary  of  war  to  erect  mills,  &c.,  provided  the  consent 
of  the  Indians  could  be  obtained.  The  contract  with  the  Indians 
was  renewed,  and  in  May,  1830,  tt  mill-wright,  superintendent,  and  a 
proper  force  to  build  on  tlie  Chippewa  River,  were  procured.  The 
first  site  was  selected  on  the  Menoinonee  River,  and  a  canal  dug  across 
a  point  of  land  from  what  is  known  as  Wilson's  Creek.  The  owners 
had  much  difficulty  with  some  of  their  employees,  and  with  the  In- 
dians, who  were  very  troublesome.  The  mill  was  ready  to  commence 
in  March,  1831,  and,  b}'  the  1st  of  Juno  following,  had  sawed  about 
a  hundred  thousand  feet  of  lumber. 

Judge  Lockwood,  in  his  paper  on  Early  Times  and  Events  in  Wis- 
consin i)repared  for  the  Historical  Society,  gives  a  full  account  of  the 
difDculties  encountered  by  those  who  began  the  lumbering  business  in 
the  State. 

Prior  to  the  efforts  made  in  lumbering  by  Perkins,  and  in  1829, 
Col.  Z.  Taylor,  commandant  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  sent  a  body  of  men 
to  the  pineries  of  Menomonee  River  to  cut  logs,  hew  square  timber, 
and  to  make  plank  and  shingles  to  be  used  in  the  construction  of  the 
fort  and  its  defences.  The  party  left  in  seven  Mackinaw  boats,  with 
ten  men  in  each  boat,  and  were  offlccrod  by  Lieuts.  L.  Gale  and 
Gardenier,  Sergeant  Melvin,  and  J.  H.  Fonda  of  Prairie  du  Chien 
as  pilot.  The  latter  person  has  given  a  full  account  of  this  expedi- 
tion (Historical  Society  Collections,  vol.  v.).  Tlie  party  returned 
with  the  timber  to  Prairie  du  Cliien,  after  enduring  much  suffering 
from  cold  weather  and  want  of  saitablc  provisions.  Another  party, 
in  1829,  under  tlie  charge  of  Lieut.  Jefferson  Davis,  was  detailed  to 
ascend  the  Mississippi  in  l)irch-l)ark  canoes.  They  proceeded  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Chippewa  River,  which  stream  they  ascended  until  they 
came  to  the  mouth  of  what  is  now  called  the  Red  Cedar,  and  ascended 
some  fortj'  miles.  At  this  point,  where  the  thriving  village  of  Menom- 
onee now  stands,  and  where  the  mammoth  mills  of  Knapp,  Stout,  and 
Company,  are  located,  thcj-  disembarked  and  went  into  camp,  and 
began  their  work.  The  required  amount  of  timber  was  cut,  however, 
rafted,  and  floated  down  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  was  used  in  the  con- 
struction of  Fort  Crawford.  The  following  summer,  it  became  neces- 
sary to  use  a  hivger  amount  of  timber  and  lumber  at  the  fort.  A  similar 
expedition  was  fitted  out,  except  on  a  much  larger  scale  ;  aud  it  was 
provided  with  every  thing  necessary  to  build  a  small  saw-mill ;  and 
Lieut.  George  W.  Garey  was  put  in  command.     The  paity  arrived 


32 


INTRODUCTORY. 


early  in  tho  season,  and  stopped  a  month  at  what  is  now  called  CJilbert 
Creek,  where  they  Imilt  a  (lain,  and  erected  a  saw-niill.  This  »vas 
known  as  the  Government  Saw-niill.  It  was  on  a  small  scale,  having 
hilt  a  siniile  sasli-saw,  and  a  capacity  of  aliont  one  thoiis.'ind  feet  per 
day.  Tlie  return  of  tlie  party  in  the  fall  of  1h;U),  and  the  reports 
of  the  superior  pine-forests  on  the  banks  of  the  Chippewa  and  its  tri- 
butaries, created  much  interest ;  and  Mr.  Lock  wood  and  his  associates 
connuenced  their  operations  as  before  referred  to.  The  government 
expedition,  as  far  as  we  lia.e  knowledge,  was  not  annoyed  by  the 
Indians  as  those  that  followed,  win  'li  were  private  enterjjrises. 

Tho  mill  at  Gilbert's  Creek,  previously  referred  to,  was  placed  in 
charge  of  George  Wales,  an  ex-lieutena'nt  of  the  regular  army,  who 
continued  to  conduct  the  business  for  the  company  initil  18;};') ;  and, 
in  the  mean  time,  the  same  parties  had  caused  to  be  erected  another 
mill  at  Gilbert's  Creek,  about  a  mile  from  the  month.  In  1835 
Messrs.  Street  and  Loekwood  sold  both  these  mills  to  H.  S.  Allen, 
with  the  permit  of  tlic  Indians.  Lieut.  "Wales,  before  referred  to, 
passed  over  to  Eau  Galle,  and  built  a  mill  on  the  site  where  the  pres- 
ent mill  of  Carson  and  Rand  now  stands.  In  1837,  after  the  treaty 
at  Fort  Snelling,  and  the  cession  of  these  lands  by  the  Indians,  a 
number  of  persons  connected  with  the  American  Fur  Company, 
including  II.  L.  Dousman,  Gen.  Sibley,  Col.  Aiken,  and  Lyuian 
Warren,  fitted  out  an  expedition  to  erect  a  saw-mill  at  the  Falls  of 
the  Chippewa.  The  work  of  building  the  mill  progressed  slowly.  A 
great  many  unexpected  obstacles  impeded  the  undertaking.  Owing 
to  the  intense  hardness  of  the  rock  in  excavating  the  race,  the  mill 
was  a  costl}'  enterprise  to  all  who  had  an  interest  in  it. 

In  183!)  II.  S.  Allen  built  another  saw-mill  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Red  Cedar,  two  miles  below  Gilbert's  Creek,  which  was  rebuilt  in 
1841.  This  was  the  third  mill  owned  and  run  by  him  at  the  same  time. 
In  the  year  1827  Col.  Ebenozer  Cliilds,  with  Judge  J.  raniett, 
received  permission  from  the  secretary  of  war  to  build  a  saw-mill  on 
tlie  Indian  lands,  provided  the  principal  Jlenomonee  chiefs  would  give 
their  consent.  This  was  ol  ained  on  the  chiefs  receiving  three  bar- 
rels of  flour  per  annum  for  the  privilege.  The^'  commenced  the  erec- 
tion of  a  mill  twenty-six  miles  below  Fort  Howard,  on  the  west  of 
Green  Bay ;  the  partners  making  a  contract  with  a  party  to  put  up 
the  mill,  and  erect  a  dam.  When  the  mill  was  completed,  word  was 
sent  to  the  owners  to  come  down  and  receive  it.  On  arriving  at  the 
building,  they  found  the  doors  and  windows  barred  and  bolted,  and 
were  told  that  tho  Indians  had  threatened  the  lives  of  themselves  and 
party,  and  declared  they  would  burn  tho  house  and  mill;  and  the 


INTRODUCTOnr. 


88 


whites  bad  to  keop  giiard  nil  the  time  to  prevent  the  Iiuliana  from 
burning  the  property.  Tbej'  succeeded,  however,  in  making  friends 
with  tiiem  by  feeding  them  when  hungry,  and  treating  tlieni  kindly. 

In  182G  pine-timber  was  made  into  boards,  with  whip-saws,  by 
the  United  States  soldiery  at  the  building  of  Fort  Winnebago,  from 
timber  cut  on*  a  small  island  about  ten  milco  above  the  Wisconsin 
portage. 

In  the  winter  of  1827-28  Daniel  Whitney  obtained  permission  of 
the  Winnebagoes  to  make  shingles  on  the  Upper  Wisconsin.  lie 
employed  twenty-two  Stockbridge  Indians,  and  one  white  man  to 
Buperintenil  the  party ;  and  Col.  Childs  was  engaged  to  take  the 
party  up  the  Wisconsin,  and  supply  them  with  provisions.  He  con- 
veyed them  to  the  mouth  of  Yellow  River,  where  he  left  them.  On 
his  return,  subsequently,  ho  was  informed  by  Major  Twiggs,  com- 
manding officer  at  Fort  AVinnebago,  that  Whitney's  men  must  be 
sent  out  of  the  country,  and,  if  he  went  up  the  river,  he  would  get 
into  trouble.  Disregarding  all  the  advice  of  Twiggs,  Childs  went  up 
to  where  the  men  were  at  work.  They  had  made  about  two  hundred 
thousand  shingles.  Major  Twiggs,  not  long  after,  sent  up  the  Wis- 
consin, and  took  away  a  part  of  Whitney's  shingles,  and  burnt  the 
balance.  Mr.  Whitney  is  said  to  have  lost  not  less  than  a  thousand 
dollars  bj-  his  shingle-operation,  all  through  Twiggs's  malice.  Mr. 
Whitney,  in  the  year  1831,  obtained  a  permit  from  the  war  depart- 
ment to  erect  a  saw-mill,  and  cut  timber  on  the  Wisconsin,  and  built 
the  first  mill  at  Whitney's  Rapids,  below  Point  Bausse,  in  1831-32. 
Messrs.  Grignon  and  Merrill  obtained  a  similar  permit,  and  put  up  a 
mill  at  Grignon's  Rapids  in  1836.  These  two  establishments  were 
the  pioneers  in  the  lumbering  business  on  the  Wisconsin  River.  In 
1830  Gov.  Dodge  made  a  treaty  with  the  Menomonec  Indians  at 
Cedar  Point,  on  the  Fox  River ;  and  the  Indian  title  was  extinguished 
to  a  strip  of  land  six  miles  wide,  from  Point  Bausse,  fort}-  miles  up  the 
stream.  This  was  done  specially  to  open  the  countrj'  to  the  lumber- 
men. The  high  price  and  great  demand  for  the  article  quickened  the 
business  ;  and  the  river  was  exi)lored  from  I'oiut  Bausse  to  Big  Bull 
Foils  that  year ;  and  the  occupation  and  claiming  of  the  most  eligible 
sites  quickly  followed.  Two  mills  were  soon  established  at  Grand 
Rapids,  one  at  ]\Iill  Creek,  and  others  on  same  stream ;  one  at 
McGrccr's  Rapids,  on  the  Plover ;  one  at  Conant's  Rapids  (these 
were  built  in  1837).  In  1839  one  at  Big  Bull  Falls,  and  one  at  Little 
Bull  Falls,  were  put  up.  The  Indian  title  to  the  Indian  land  was 
extinguished  in  1848.  This  opened  the  whole  Upper  Wisconsiu  coun- 
try to  the  settler. 


84 


INTROnVCTORY. 


Such  iw  a  brief  sketch  of  the  early  cirorts  in  the  himbcring  business 
in  Wisconsin,  wliidi  niii;lit  be  liroufrlit  ilown  to  a  later  period  ;  and  it 
may  bo  proper  to  say  tlie  tinil)er  of  Wisconsin  consists  of  wiiite,  yel- 
low, and  Norway  pine,  rocii  anl  soft  maple,  nearly  all  the  varieties 
of  oalv,  balsam-fir,  white  and  red  cedar,  spruce,  hemlock,  ash,  pop- 
lar, basswood,  hickory,  &c.  The  most  northern  portion  aboiw.,'  in 
those  varieties  most  essential  to  the  use  of  man  ;  and  such  i;i  "lo  s.t- 
uation  of  the  country  with  respect  to  water-communication  and  rail- 
roads, that  nearly  all  parts  of  it  may  bo  supplied  with  pine-lumber  at 
a  moderate  price.  The  home-demand,  however,  is  but  an  insignifi- 
cant part  of  what  is  used,  as  the  markets  of  all  the  States  west  of  tho 
Mississippi  arc  dependent  for  their  supplies  upon  this  State. 

The  pineries  of  Wisconsin  may  be  divided  into  four  distinct 
sections.  A  large  amount  of  lumber  in  the  north-west  part  of  the 
State  finds  its  way  out  through  the  Chippewa,  the  Black,  the  St. 
Croix,  and  other  rive;s  flowing  into  tlie  Mississippi.  The  "  Wiscon- 
sin Pinery,"  so  called,  lies  along  the  Wisconsin  lliver,  in  the  central 
part  of  the  State.  The  lumber  from  tliat  region  also  goes  out  mostly 
to  the  Mississippi  market  Tho  Wolf-river  Pinery  lies  in  tho  valley 
of  the  Wolf  and  its  tributaries.  By  the  construction  of  new  lines  of 
railroads,  its  hunl)cr  is  now  sent  to  the  interior  of  the  State  on  the 
cars.  The  Green-ba3-  Pinery  includes  all  that  region  extending  from 
Do  Pero  seven  miles  up  to  tho  Fox  lliver,  along  both  shores  of  tho 
bjft',  northward  to  tho  upper  waters  of  the  Esconawba,  which  flowa 
into  Ba'  do  Noquet,  at  tho  northern  extremity  of  Green  Baj'.  Of 
this  particular  pinery,  Hon.  C.  D.  Robinson  says,  — 

"It3rtiiicipnl  luinlieritijj-points,  wlicre  mills  are  locateil,  are  at  Do  Pere  and 
Grc«n  Kay  City  on  tlio  Fox  lliver;  ISij;  Siiainico,  T'oiisaukec,  0(!c)iit(i,  i'oslite;jo, 
Muiiiiiaoiicc,  I'lird,  and  (/'I'llar  liivcrs,  on  tliowott  slioru;  Hay  do  Noiinot,  at  tlio 
nortliorn  oxtrennty  uf  llu!  liay ;  I.ittlo  and  Ilij;  Siiu'};l'ou  I!ay,  on  tliti  east  slmro; 
and  ClianilierH  Island  on  tlie  liay.  Tlio  wliolo  imiiilier  of  mills  at  these  points  in 
the  year  lR{iO  was  about  forty ;  having  a  total  sa\viii<j-i'apai:ity  of  ationt  (Jiie  hundred 
and  thirty  millions  of  feet  per  year.  For  several  years  previous,  tho  aggregate 
Rawing  has  averaged  about  eighty  millions  of  feet." 


The  limits  of  the  AVisconsin  land  district  are,  Township  Fifteen  to 
the  State  line.  Range  Two  to  Eleven  oast  inclusive.  The  highest 
estimate  of  the  number  of  acres  of  pinelands  within  the  area  mentioned 
does  not  exceed  two  millions.  The  Wausau  District  comprises  at 
least  one-fourth  the  pinelands  of  the  State  ;  and,  allowing  two  millions 
of  acres  within  that  district,  we  have  a  total  of  eight  millions  of 
acres.  Average  pine  yields  five  thousand  feet  to  the  acre.  As  a  gr.tnd 
total,  then,  of  the  stumpage  of  Wisconsin,  we  have  forty  billions. 


ISTRODUCTORY. 


8S 


This  PHliinatp  IirUkK'H  a  vast  amount  of  pinc-timbcr  that  can  never 
Ijc  iililizcMl.  And  it  is  liiiis  iliMiionstratcd  that  the  entire  pineries  of 
the  Stiitc  will  lust  at  least  lllly  years. 

The  city  of  OshkoHh  is  extremely  well  situated  for  the  various  lum 
l)(M'-interosts  that  ront'i-iitnite  there.  The  Wolf  River,  with  its  trihu- 
tiirii's,  extcndin;^  throuijh  and  into  the  counties  of  Oconto,  Shawano, 
Jlaratlion,  Waii|>aeca,  Outai^aniic,  and  Wiiniebago,  drain  a  territory 
of  not  less  than  threi?  thonsaml  aqiuire  miles  in  extent,  embracing  one 
of  the  llnost  pineries  in  the  West.  A  gentleman  who  visited  that 
place  in  1873  states  the  machinery  then  in  use  was  capable  of  cutting 
annually  three  hundred  millions  of  feet  of  lumber.  At  that  time,  the 
mills  were  running  at  about  one-half  their  actual  capacity,  while  tho 
shingle-mills  were  doing  proportionally  a  much  larger  business.  The 
year  1873  was  an  unfortunate  one  for  tho  lumbermen ;  and  tho 
amount  cut  and  manufactured  was  much  reduced. 

One  of  the  important  mills  located  in  the  Chippewa  co\mtry  is  that 
of  the  North-western  Lumber  Company,  having  a  paid-up  capital  of 
four  hundred  thousand  dollars.  This  company  was  organized  for  tho 
facilitating  and  carrying-out  their  immense  business,  and  is  composed 
of  first-class  business-men.  The  ofUce  of  the  company  is  at  Eau 
Claire. 

The  size  of  their  present  lumber-mill  (1873)  is  fifty-four  by  a 
hundred  and  thirty-six  feet,  two  stories  high,  with  engine  and  boiler 
rooms  twenty-three  by  thirtj'-six  feet,  using  four  boilers  and  three 
engines.  One  hundred  thousand  feet  of  lumber,  thirty  thousand  feet 
of  lath,  and  fifty  thousand  shingles  arc  cut  dail^-.  During  tho  run- 
ning-season of  six  months  and  a  half,  llfteen  million  feet  of  lumber 
are  cut ;  two  circular  and  one  gang  of  saws  doing  all  the  work,  and 
giving  cmplo^-ment  to  a  hundred  and  tnenty  men.  The  shingle-mill 
is  three  stories  high,  and  is  one  of  the  most  unique  and  convenient 
mills  in  the  State. 

The  La  Crosso  Lumber  Company  have  a  building  eightj--six  by  a 
hundred  and  flft^'-six,  with  a  capacity  of  manufacturing  two  hundred 
thousand  feet  of  lumber,  sixty  thousand  shingles,  and  fifty  thousand 
lath  in  ten  hours.  They  cut  fifteen  million  feet  of  lumber  per  year. 
The  machinery  is  operated  by  two  engines  of  six  hundred  and  one 
hundred  horse-power  rcspectivelj'. 

Roference  has  been  made  to  the  firm  of  Knapp,  Stout,  and  Company.  ' 
This  finn  have  three  mills  at  Menomonee,  and  one  at  Downsville ; 
own  a  foundery  and  m.achine-shop,    several  grist-mills  and  stores, 
three  steamboats.     Their  hog-pen  costs  them  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 
Twelve  hundred  men  were  on  theii-  paj-roU  in  1874  ;  and  instead  of 


S6 


INTRODUCTORY. 


the  single  saw,  with  which  thej-  first  commenced  business,  they  have 
now  about  a  hundred  and  fifty  running  in  their  four  mills.  The  com- 
pany own  a  hundred  and  fifteen  thousand  acres  of  the  choicest  pine 
and  hard  wood  lands,  and  thousands  of  acres  of  fanning-land.  Sixty 
million  feet  of  lumber,  twenty-five  million  shingles,  and  twenty 
million  lath  and  pickets  were  manufactured  1873-74  by  the  com- 
pany. 

The  Eau  Claire  Lumbering  Company  own  four  mills,  besides 
grist-mill,  store,  shops,  &c.  Tlicy  manufactured  (1873)  fortj'-five 
million  feet  of  lumber  and  twelve  million  shingles.  They  own  three 
stean.boats,  and  give  employment  to  about  eight  hundred  men. 
Their  retail  sales  are  about  five  hundred  thousand  dollars  j-earlj'. 
The  capital  stock  of  the  companj-  is  two  millions  of  dollars. 

The  saw-mill  of  the  Union  Luk  'ber  Company  of  Chippewa  Falls  is 
claimed  to  be  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the  world  ;  that  is,  capable  of 
sawing  more  lumber  than  any  other  mill.  The  building  is  wooden, 
fifty  feet  wide  by  one  hundred  feet  long.  There  arc  four  gang-saws, 
each  containing  twenty-four  saws,  and  capable  of  sawing  a  log  a  foot 
and  a  half  square  into  twenty -three  boards  iu  four  minutes ;  three 
rotary  saws,  each  of  wliich  will  saw  a  board  in  a  minute  ;  one  mulc^-, 
for  sawing  joist ;  five  sets  of  edgers,  eight  trimmers,  two  lath-mills, 
one  picket-mill,  one  header,  and  three  slab-grinders :  the  latter  are 
used  for  grinding  all  the  slabs  and  waste  material  into  sawdust. 
The  mill  has  a  capacity-  of  sawing  a  hundred  and  eighty  thousand  feet 
of  lumber  per  day,  or  llfty-flve  million  feet  per  year.  This  year 
(1875)  only  about  thirty  million  feet  will  be  sawed.  Now  only  a 
hundred  and  sixtj-  men  are  employed  in  running  it ;  but  when  in  full 
running-capacity  (night  and  day),  tlu'cc  hundred  men  are  employed. 
The  mill  is  run  by  water-power,  ten  water-wheels  ))eing  used.  The 
lumber  is  rafted  on  the  Chippewa  River  to  the  Mississippi,  and 
distributed  at  points  along  tlie  river  at  the  principal  cities.  fShingles 
are  also  manufactured  to  a  large  extent.  The  boom-works  of  the 
company  extend  up  the  river  a  distance  of  six  miles :  hero  the  logs 
are  assorted,  the  Union  Company  retaining  its  own,  and  letting  tLd 
logs  of  the  other  companies  puss  down  the  river.  One  hundred  men 
are  employed  in  the  sorting  of  logs.  The  capital  stock  of  the  com- 
pany is  81,r)00,000.  Hon.  Tliaddeus  C.  Pound  is  president;  D.  M. 
J'eck,  vice-president ;  and  N.  Pierce,  secretary.  S.  Bernard  of  New 
York,  Senator  Wallace,  and  F.  Coleman  of  Pennsylvania,  are  direc- 
tors. In  the  winter,  tlie  mill  is  idle ;  and  all  the  men  go  up  the 
river  to  the  logging-camps,  and  suUlcient  timber  ia  cut  for  the  next 
season. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


37 


Among  the  other  mills  in  this  section  may  be  mentioned  one  of 
Stanlej-  Brotliors,  on  the  Chippewa,  above  the  falls,  who  manufac- 
ture eight  million  Ave  hundred  thousand  feet  of  lumber,  and  one  mil- 
lion five  hundred  thousand  lath  j'early.  They  have,  also,  a  grist-mill 
and  a  large  store,  employing  about  a  hundred  men.  Jackson  Thillips 
has  a  mill  at  Jim's  Falls,  above  Chippewa  Falls,  cuts  about  five  mil- 
lion feet  of  lumber,  and  employs  about  fifty  men.  John  Robinson's 
mill  is  about  three  miles  below  Chippewa  Falls.  He  cuts  about  four- 
teen million  feet  annually,  and  four  million  lath,  and  emplo3'8  a  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men.  The  French  Lumbering  Company  has  a  mill 
situated  farther  down  the  river,  and  six  million  feet  of  lumber,  and 
two  millio»  of  lath  are  manufactured ;  employs  fifty  men ;  ofllce  at 
Chippewa  Falls.  Ingram  and  Kennedy  operate  five  saw-mills,  and 
cut  last  j'car  (1873)  twentj'-six  million  feet  of  lumber,  eight  million 
shingles,  and  three  million  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  lath. 
They  own  a  large  store  ;  and  their  retail  sales  amount  to  over  three 
million  dollars.  They  give  emplojTiiont  to  about  four  hundred  men, 
and  own  two  steamboats.  D.  Shaw  and  Company  cut  thirteen  million 
five  hundred  and  eighty-four  thousand  feet  of  lumber,  three  million 
two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  lath,  and  three  million  one  hundred 
and  ten  thousand  shingles.  Thej'  own  a  store  and  shops,  and  a  fine 
grist-mill.  They  employ  two  hundred  men.  Carson  and  Rand  of 
Fan  Galle  cut,  last  season,  eleven  million  foct  of  lumber,  and  will 
soon  close  opcr.itions,  as  the  lumber  on  the  stream  is  exhausted. 

To  sum  up  the  business  :  in  the  valley  of  the  Chippewa,  for  the  3ear 
1873-34,  there  was  cut  by  tha  mills  in  the  valley  297,759,000  feet  of 
lumber,  82,900,000  lath,  and  72,000,000  shingles.  About  $4,470 
were  received  bj'  these  men,  whose  wages  will  range  from  twenty-eight 
dollars  to  a  hundred  dollars  per  month,  and  will  average  about  forty 
dollars,  board  included. 

" The 'Wisconsin  Lumberman"  of  February,  1875,  gives  the  fol- 
lowing statistics  for  the  year  1874:  "Chippewa  River,  —  lumber 
manufactured,  278,000,000  logs ;  cut  into  shingles,  pickets,  and  lath, 
80,910,000  feet.  Black  River,  — lumber  manufactured,  00,500,000 
feet.  Wolf  River  has  fifty-nine  saw-mills ;  of  these,  Oshkosh  has 
twenty-two,  and  five  shingle-mills.  Fond  du  Lac  has  cloven  saw- 
mills: lumber  and  shingles  manufactured  in  1S74,  152,000,000. 
Wisconsin  River  manufactured  1 19,000,000.  Mononionee  River  manu- 
factured 128,837,535  feet.     Oconto  River  manufactm-ed  50,000,000." 

From  what  has  been  written,  the  reader  can  form  some  idea  of  the 
business  of  lumbering  as  now  carried  on  in  this  State.  Capital  has 
not  been  spared  in  introducing  new  improvements  in  machinery ;  and 


88 


INTRODUCTORT. 


the  business  has  been  so  great,  that  the  gi-eatest  inventive  talent  haa 
been  called  into  requisition  to  provide  machinery  to  simplify  and  ex- 
pedite the  work  required  at  the  mills.  Those  who  were  familiar  with 
the  simple  machinery  that  was  used  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber 
some  twenty-five  or  thirty  years  since  would  be  surprised,  indeed, 
to  see  to  what  extent  improvements  have  been  made,  and  how  much 
more  work  can  be  performed,  in  a  given  time,  by  improved  faci'ities. 
Few  States  have  the  same  valuaole  resources  as  Wisconsip.  Her 
agricultural  products  are  equal  to  any  ;  her  lead  mine.  'nj\  ,  able; 
and  her  lumbering  facilities  adequate  to  supply  the  i  ■'■■\^-  :  ■  '  ■•nly 
of  her  own  people,  but  of  those  States  to  whom  Nature  has  withheld 
this  valuable  product. 

Other  manufacturing  interests  of  the  State  might  be  mentioned, 
outside  of  that  of  lumbering ;  but  this  is  the  most  important,  and 
demands  a  conspicuous  place  in  this  volume. 

But  Wisconsin  has  a  history  of  progrcfj  in  her  educational  and 
moral  departments,  as  well  as  in  her  material  resources.  Perhaps  no 
State  in  the  Union,  in  respect  to  population  and  resources,  has  ex- 
pended as  much  money  in  the  way  of  permanent  improvements  for 
benevolent,  educational,  and  charitable  institutions,  as  the  State  of 
Wisconsin.  These  improvements  have  been  carried  forward  in  an 
enlightened  public  spirit ;  and  those  of  her  citizens  who  have,  by 
misfortune,  lost  their  reason,  eye-sight,  or  been  deprived  of  the  organs 
of  speech,  can  have  all  such  assistance  as  may  be  needed  for  their 
im])rovcmcnt,  furnished  gratuitously,  with  the  aid  of  experienced  and 
qualified  persons. 

Reference  has  been  made,  in  this  volume,  to  the  State  Capio. 
building,  — one  of  the  finest  of  the  State  buildings.  It  is  an  elegani. 
structure,  and  was  built  in  an  economical  innner.  It  could  not  be 
rebuilt,  probably,  for  double  the  original  ti'st.  The  whole  cost  was 
about  five  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

The  Uiiiversit>i  of  Wi'<mnsiii  is  one  of  the  State  in.stitutions  that 
the  State  justly  takes  pride  in.  An  .mccount  of  the  erection  of  the 
buildings  has  been  heretofore  given.  They  are  beautifully  situated 
on  University  Ilill,  one  mile  west  of  the  State  Capitol.  The  institu- 
tion is  governed  by  a  bopnl  of  regents,  ten  in  number,  and  has 
twenty-seven  professors  and  instructors.  John  Dascom,  LIj.1)  ,  'a 
president.  It  wn?  founded  upon  a  grant  of  seventy-two  secti^'r-.'-  .jt 
land,  made  by  Congress  to  the  Territory  in  183H,  and  subseqUv  r 
grants,  including  the  Agricultural  College  Grant,  These  lands  aro 
Bold,  and  the  income  arising  from  the  sale  appropriat'Hl  to  the  wants 
of  the  universitj-.     It  has  experienced  all  the  ■  icissitudcs  of  similar 


INTRODUCTORY. 


3d 


4^ 


State  educational  Institutions,  but  is  now  firmly  established,  and  has 
the  confidence  of  tlie  communitj-.  The  institution  lias  been  repeatedly 
re-organized,  and  at  present  consists  of  (1)  a  college  of  arts,  in- 
cluding the  department  of  agriculture,  the  department  of  mining  and 
metallurgy,  the  department  of  military  science  and  of  civil  engineer- 
ing; (2)  the  college  of  letters,  with  a  preparatory  department ;  (3) 
law  college ;  (4)  female  college  ;  and  (o)  post-graduate  course. 

l&y  the  law  of  1872  all  graduates  of  graded  schools  who  shall  have 
pursued  a  regular  course,  and  shall  have  passed  an  examination  satis- 
factory to  the  faculty  of  the  universitj',  shall  be  entitled  to  free  tui- 
tion in  all  the  colleges  of  the  university.  In  the  year  1875  the  total 
number  of  students  in  attendance,  at  the  opening  of  the  fall  term 
of  1874,  was  four  hundred  and  eleven. 

The  State  Normal  Schools  of  Wisconsin  are  under  the  direction  of 
a  board  of  regents,  and  are  supported  by  a  portion  of  the  income 
of  the  school-fu'id,  and  twenty-five  per  cent  of  the  proceeds  arising 
from  the  sale  of  the  swamp  and  overflowed  lands.  In  February, 
1866,  Plattevilb  was  selected  as  the  site  of  a  school;  and  in  the 
month  of  JLiy  of  the  same  year,  AVhitewater  was  selected  as  another. 
The  school  at  Platteville  vas  o;jened  in  October,  1860.  It  is  now 
in  charge  of  Prof.  E.  A.  Charlton.  The  school  at  Wliitewater  was 
opened  .\pril  2l,  18G8,  under  the  charge  of  Prof.  Oliver  Arey.  A 
third  normal  school  was  projected  and  located  at  Oshkosh.  It  was 
completed  in  1870,  and  opened  in  September,  1871.  It  is  in  charge 
of  Prof.  G.  E.  Albee.  These  three  schools  have  in  training  an  ave- 
rage aggregate  of  about  six  lumdred  normal  students,  and  possess 
superior  building^i  for  their  accommodation.  A  fourth  school  has 
recently  been  located  at  River  Falls,  Pierce  County,  and  will  be 
opened  in  tlie  fall  of  1875. 

The  Institution  for  the  Education  of  the  Blind  is  located  at  Jancs- 
ville.  It  was  first  supported  by  tlic  citizens  of  Janesville ;  and  in 
1850  the  State  adopted  it,  and  erected  a  suitable  building  for  its  use. 
It  is  under  tlic  charge  of  five  trustees,  with  a  superintendent.  The 
institution  was  first  opened  in  October,  1850.  On  the  first  of  Octo- 
ber, 1873,  it  had  seventy-seven  pupils  in  attendance.  The  building 
occupied  by  the  institution  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1874  ;  and  a  new 
building  is  in  process  of  erection. 

The  Institute  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  is  located  at  Delavan,  Wal- 
worth County,  on  tlie  Western  Union  Railroad.  It  was  incorporated 
in  1852,  and  is  in  charge  of  five  trustees.  Instruction  is  given  by 
signs,  by  the  manual  alphabet,  by  written  language,  and  to  one  class 
by  oiticulation.     Two  trades  are  taught,  —  cabinet-making  and  shoe- 


40 


ISTRODUCTORY. 


making.  The  whole  number  of  pupils  who  have  been  instructed  in 
twentj-one  years  is  three  hundred  and  seventy-four,  of  whom  one 
hundred  and  forty-eight  were  in  attendance  Oct.  1,  1873.  The  insti- 
tution is  in  charge  of  George  L.  Weed,  jun.,  as  principal. 

Tlie  Wisconsin  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane  is  located  near  Madi- 
son, and  near  Lake  Mendota ;  tlie  railroad  to  Barraboo  passing  near 
the  grounds.  It  is  in  charge  of  a  board  of  trustees.  It  has  an  elegant 
and  substantial  hospital  building,  with  longitudinal  and  transverse 
wings,  and  all  surrounded  by  ornamental  grounds  and  farming- 
lands,  to  the  extent  of  three  hundred  and  ninety-three  acres.  The 
institution  is  in  charge  of  A.  S.  McDill,  M.D.  In  1873  the  whole 
number  of  patients  was  five  hlindred  and  eighty-five,  and  the  average 
number  three  hundred  and  twenty-nine. 

The  Northern  Hospital  for  the  Insane  is  located  at  Oshkosh,  and 
includes  three  hundred  and  thirtj-seven  acres  of  land.  The  north 
wing  and  central  building  have  been  recently  completed,  and  the  first 
patient  was  admitted  on  the  21st  of  April,  1873.  Room  is  afforded  for 
the  reception  of  about  two  hundred  and  fifteen  patients.  The  build- 
ing will  be  immediately  enlarged  to  accommodate  the  wants  of  the 
people.  The  whole  number  of  patients  received  was  two  hundred  and 
fourteen,  and  two  hundred  and  five  remained  on  the  30th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1873. 

Tlie  Soldiers'  Orphans'  Home  was  opened  Jan.  1,  18G6-;  the  ne- 
cessary means  being  contributed  by  private  subscription.  The  prop- 
erty became  the  property  of  the  State  in  March,  186G,  and  was  for- 
merly known  as  the  llarvey  Hospital  for  the  Care  and  Treatment  of 
Sick  and  Wounded  Soldiers.  In  1873  ther'e  were  one  hundred  and 
fifty-three  children  in  the  Home.  A  law  was  passed  subsequentlj', 
authorizing  the  board  of  trustees  to  secure  homes,  for  those  remain- 
ing, with  farmers  and  others ;  and  in  1875  the  institution  was  closed, 
and  the  property  transferred  to  the  regents  of  the  State  University, 
to  be  used  by  them,  as  they  may  think  best,  for  the  interests  of  that 
institution. 

Tlie  Wisconsin  State  Prison  is  located  at  Waupun,  and  was  occu- 
pied in  1852.  It  is  a  flue  stone  structure,  and  has  all  the  appliances 
for  carrying  out  the  workings  of  an  institution  of  this  kind.  The 
number  of  convicts  in  the  prison,  on  Sept.  30,  1873,  was  one  hundred 
and  eighty-. 

The  Wisconsin  Industrial  School  for  Boys  is  situated  about  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile  west  of  the  railroad  depot,  at  Waukesha,  in  the 
county  of  the  same  n.ime.  It  was  organized  as  a  house  of  reftige,  and 
opeuetl  in  1860.    The  name  was  afterwards  changed  to  State  Beform 


INTRODUCTOnr. 


41 


School,  and  again  to  Wisconsin  Industrial  School  forBoj's,  its  present 
title.  The  buildings  are  located  on  the  southern  bank  of  the  Fox 
River.  The  object  of  the  institution  is  to  afford  a  place  of  confine- 
ment and  instniction  to  all  male  children  between  the  ages  of  ten  and 
sixteen  years,  who  shall  be  legally  committed  to  the  institution  as 
vagrants,  or  on  conviction  of  any  criminal  offence,  or  for  incorrigible 
and  vicious  conduct,  by  any  court  having  competent  authority  to  make 
such  commitment. 

The  whole  number  of  inmates  since  it  was  opened,  in  July,  1860,  to 
Sept.  30,  1873,  is  nine  hundred  and  sixty-six.  The  whole  number  of 
inmates  at  the  beginning  of  1873  is  three  hundred  and  sixty-two; 
and,  at  the  close  of  the  year,  two  hundred  and  eighty-one. 

The  State  Historical  Society  of  Wisconsin,  although  an  incorpo- 
rated society,  is,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  a  State  institution, 
supported  mainly  by  a  State  appropriation,  and  may  be  regarded  aa 
the  miscellaneous  department  of  the  State  Library.  It  has  rooms  on 
the  second  story  of  the  south  wing  of  the  Capitol,  comprising  two 
large  rooms  and  a  hall,  all  having  connecting  galleries.  The  hall  is 
devoted,  on  the  main  floor,  to  the  cabinet  and  museum ;  and  the  rooms 
and  galleries,  to  the  library  proper.  From  the  Annual  Report  for  the 
Year  1874,  it  appears  that  the  additions  to  the  library  were  1,945 
volumes  of  books,  1,186  documents  and  pamphlets,  or,  by  titles, 
3,131.  The  whole  number  of  books  and  pamphlets,  to  Dec,  31,  1875, 
is  00,385.  The  additions  to  the  15th  of  August,  1875,  will  increase 
the  whole  number  to  sixty-live  thousand. 

The  library  is  the  best  in  its  department  in  the  North-west.  D.  S. 
Durrie  is  librarian,  with  two  assistants. 

The  Wisconsin  State  Library  occupies  the  east  half  of  the  second 
story  of  the  north  wing  of  the  Capitol  building ;  the  west  half  is  used 
by  the  Supreme  Court ;  and  two  rooms  communicate.  This  library  ia 
devoted  to  law-books  and  law  literature,  and  is  very  complete  and 
valuable  in  English  and  American  works  of  reference.  The  library 
is  in  charge  of  Frank  Massing,  librarian. 

Aside  ftom  the  State  institutions,  those  supported  by  the  State, 
there  are  a  large  number  of  endowed  institutions  of  learning  in 
Wisconsin,  most  of  which  are  in  a  very  flourishyig  condition.  There 
are  manj*  of  these  under  the  patronaga  of  the  Catholics,  all  of  which 
are  a  credit  to  Wisconsin.  Besides  these,  the  Protestants  have 
several  well-established  colleges,  among  which  we  may  mention  the 
following :  — 

Lawrence  University.  —  This  institution  had  its  inception  in  the 
offer  (about  1846)  of  Hon.  Amos  A.  Lawrence  of  Boston,  Mass.,  to 


4S 


INTRODUCTORY. 


give  ten  thousand  dollars  towards  the  foundation  of  a  school  to  be 
located  in  tlie  Lower  Fox  Valley,  provided  the  Methodists  of  Wis- 
consin would  raise  an  additional  ten  thousand  for  the  same  purpose. 
The  offer  was  accepted.  A  charter  was  secured  from  the  Ten-itorlal 
legislature,  under  the  title  of  the  Lawrence  Institute  of  Wisconsin. 
''Ihebill  granting  the  charter  was  signed  by  Gov.  Dodge,  Jan.  17, 
1M7.  The  organization  of  the  board  of  trustees  was  effected  the 
sa  ne  year.  After  considerable  canvassing,  the  location  of  the  new 
liirftitution  was  fixed  near  the  Grand  Chute,  now  the  city  of  Appleton. 
The  place  where  the  city  stands  was  then  a  wilderness ;  and  the 
original  building  for  the  institute  was  one  of  the  very  first  that  were 
undertaken.  In  1849,  Nov.  12,  the  school  opened,  with  Rev.  W.  II. 
Sampson  as  principal,  II.  0.  Kellogg,  A.B.,  professor  of  languages, 
James  M.  Phinney,  professor  of  mathematics,  and  Miss  Emeline  JI. 
Crooker,  receptress.  The  number  of  students  during  the  first  year 
was  about  sixty.  The  accommodations  were  meagre,  the  surround- 
ings, in  many  respects,  disagreeable,  and  the  moans  very  scantj'.  But 
the  school  had  a  good  reputation  from  the  start,  and  increased  in 
popularity.  The  sacrifices  of  those  who  had  the  inunodiate  manage- 
ment were  very  great,  and  at  times  the  prospects  very  discouraging. 
In  the  latter  part  of  1852,  Rev.  Edward  Cooke,  D.D.,  of  Boston, 
Mass.,  was  elected  president.  The  charter  had  been  altered,  so  as 
to  confer  collegiate  powers  upon  the  institution  ;  and  it  had  taken  the 
legal  title  of  the  Lawrence  University  of  Wisconsin. 

Dr.  Cooke  was  installed  in  office  at  the  annual  commencement, 
the  last  of  June,  1853.  At  the  same  time  the  corner-stone  of  the 
main  building  of  the  college  was  laid  b^'Dr.  M.  C.  Darling,  president 
of  the  board  of  trustees.  This  structure  was  completed  about  three 
years  after,  but  not  before  the  frame-building  previously  occupied 
had  been  destroyed  by  fire.  The  present  college-building  is  a  hun- 
dred and  twenty  feet  long  by  sixty  wide.  It  is  built  of  stone,  and  is 
three  stories  and  a  half  high  above  the  basement,  containing  a  com- 
modious chapel  capable  of  seating  eight  hundred  or  a  thousand 
people,  six  recitation-rooms,  a  large  library-room,  two  fine  societj-- 
halls,  large  cabinet  and  reading-rooms,  apparatus-rooms,  and  dormi- 
tories for  about  fifty  students. 

The  first  college-class  was  graduated  in  1857,  and  consisted  of 
seven  members,  —  four  gentlemen  and  three  ladies.  The  whole  number 
of  graduates  up  to  this  time  (1875)  is  one  hundred  and  sixty-two,  of 
whom  one  hundred  and  six  are  gentlemen,  and  fifty-six  are  ladies. 
From  the  beginning,  ladies,  as  well  as  gentlemen,  have  had  the  privi- 
leges of  the  iiifititution  in  all  its  deparbnents ;  and  for  the  last  ten 


INTRODUCTORT. 


48 


years  there  litis  been  no  discrimination  in  any  respect  between  the 
scxos  as  to  advantages  and  opportunities. 

Like  many  otlier  institutions  East  and  West,  this  one  has  had 
experience  of  great  liardships  and  much  poverty.  There  were  many 
mistalces,  as  was  almost  inevitable,  in  the  early  management  of  its 
affairs ;  and  some  of  these  proved  nearly  fatal.  It  had,  for  a  long 
time,  an  excecdinglj'  small  endowment-fund,  although  a  large  number 
of  scliolarships  had  been  sold,  thus  cutting  off  the  tuition-fees.  The 
present  property  of  the  institution  amounts  to  nearly  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  Of  this,  about  sixty  thousand  dollars  constitutes 
a  perpetual  endowment-fund,  in  addition  to  which  a  recent  but 
not  yet  effectual  conversion  of  unproductive  property  will  probably 
give- forty  thousand  dollars;  maliing  tlie  whole  endowment  nearly 
a  himdred  thousand  dollars.  There  are,  however,  some  liabilities 
and  contingencies  connected  with  a  part  of  this,  which  is  likely  to 
diminish  the  amount.  Tliere  is,  also,  a  fund  of  ten  thousand  dollars 
donated  by  lion.  Samuel  Appleton  of  Boston  as  a  library-fund,  the 
income  only  to  be  used  for  the  benefit  of  tlic  librarj-  of  llie  college, 
which  from  him  talces  the  name  of  the  Appleton  Library-. 

This  librarj'  now  numbers  over  seven  thousand  volumes,  and  is  one 
of  the  largest,  as  well  as,  perhaps,  one  of  the  best,  working  college- 
libraries  in  the  West. 

The  institution  has  a  good  collection  of  apparatus,  and  a  valuable 
cabinet  and  museum. 

Besides  the  collegiate  department,  with  its  four  j-ears'  parallel 
courses  of  studj',  —  classical,  scientific,  and  civil  engineering.  —  there 
are  a  preparatory  and  an  academical  department,  a  commercial  school, 
a  conservatory  of  music,  and  a  school  of  drawing  and  painting.  The 
number  of  different  students  in  all  departments  found  in  the  last 
catalogue  is  three  hundred  and  seventy-two,  of  which  ninety  are 
reckoned  in  the  regular  college-classes.  The  faculty  consists  of 
fourteen  professors  and  instructors. 

The  presidency  of  Dr.  Cooke  terminated  in  18G1.  He  was  suc- 
ceedod  by  R.  Z.  Mason,  LL.D.,  wlio  resigned  in  18G5,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  G.  M.  Steele,  D.D.,  the  present  head  of  the  insti- 
tution. 

Jtlpon  College, — In  the  j'car  1851,  at  the  first  settlement  of  the 
town,  the  citizens  of  Ripon  began  a  movement  to  establish  an  insti- 
tution of  learning  of  a  high  order.  A  charter  was  obtained,  and  in 
the  first  year  tlie  building,  now  East  College,  was  erected  and 
enclosed.  After  this  beginning,  the  trustees,  aiming  at  a  larger 
usefulness  for  their  new  institution,  transferred  Ihc  onliio  property 


44 


INTRODUCTORY. 


to  the  care  of  the  'Winnebngo  District  Convention  of  Presb3teriaD 
Ministers  and  Chiirclio'i.  Tlie  churches  in  the  region  being  very 
weali  at  that  time,  the  Convention,  deeming  it  not  practicable  to  raise 
the  small  sum  ($400)  expected  in  the  transfer,  requested  Rev.  J.  W. 
Walcott  to  hold  the  property  in  trust  until  the  churches  could  raise 
the  money  to  take  it  legally  and  formally  off  his  hands.  Mr.  Walcott 
consenting,  according  to  agreement,  completed  the  college-building 
80  far  as  was  then  needed,  and  opened  a  school  in  the  summer  of 
1853.  Under  Mr.  AValcott's  administration,  the  school  was  continued 
with  a  good  degree  of  success.  The  college-grounds  were  enlarged ; 
and  a  second  building,  Middle  College,  was  erected  in  1857.  The 
financial  disasters  of  this  year  affected  the  resources  of  the  institu- 
tion very  severely.  For  about  five  years  it  struggled  with  great 
financial  difflcnlties,  in  consequence  of  which,  at  the  opening  of  the 
war,  the  school  was  suspended  for  a  j'car. 

In  18C2  a  subscription  to  pay  the  debts  of  the  college  was  so  far 
succossAil,  that  the  trustees  re-opened  the  school ;  and,  in  September 
of  that  year,  Mr.  E.  11.  Merrell,  now  professor  of  Greek,  assumed 
the  charge  of  it.  The  college,  from  that  date,  has  had  a  uniform  and 
rapid  growth.  In  July,  1863,  Rev.  William  E.  Merriman  of  Green 
Bay  was  elected  president,  and  E.  11.  Merrell,  professor  of  ancient 
languages.  At  the  opening  of  the  term  in  September,  1863,  the  first 
collegc-cl.iss  was  formed.  In  that  j'car  the  debts  of  the  college  were 
all  paid,  the  two  college-buildings  were  completed,  and  the  library 
was  begun.  Since  its  permanent  organization  for  collegiate  work,  the 
number  of  students  has  steadily  increased ;  a  full  faculty  has  been 
organized ;  and  the  college'  has  constantly  progressed,  not  only  in 
facilities  for  instruction,  but  also  in  reputation  and  influence  in  the 
State.  In  18G6  it  had  outgrown  its  accommodations ;  and  in  1867 
the  West  College  building,  larger  and  better  than  either  of  the  others, 
was  erected  and  occupied.  Sixty-eight  have  graduated  from  the 
courses.  The  total  number  of  students  last  j-ear  (1874-75)  was  three 
hundred  and  forty,  of  whom  seventy-five  were  in  college-classes. 

The  design  and  policy  of  Ripon  College  are  clearly  defined.  The 
two  sexes  are  educated  together,  and  may  take  the  same  courses 
of  study,  and  enjoy  the  same  privileges.  Tlie  managers  of  the  col- 
lege do  not  regard  this  as  an  experiment,  but  are  satisfied  fVom  expe- 
rience, us  they  affirm,  that  the  co-education  plan  is  in  every  way 
best.  It  requires  better  conditions,  and  produces  better  results,  than 
the  education  of  the  sexes  separately. 

Health,  Christian  character,  and  Christian  usefulness  are  made 
prominent  ends  of  instruction  as  conducted  at  Ripon.     The  insti'uct- 


INTRODUCTORT. 


45 


ors  seek  to  have  the  college  pervaded  with  a  Christian  spirit,  and 
cbaracterized  by  Christian  principles  ;  and,  as  a  result,  they  hope  to 
secure  a  proper  Christian  morality  in  their  students,  and  a  devotion 
to  service  in  Christian  lives.  An  academical  department  is  con- 
nected with  the  collegiate.  The  institution  is  open  to  all  students 
of  suitable  age,  when  they  have  concluded  their  studies  in  the  higher 
public  schools.  There  are  two  courses  of  study  in  the  collegiate 
department,  —  the  scientific  and  the  classical,  differing  chiefly  in  the 
relative  attention  given  to  sciences  and  classical  studies.  In  extent 
and  thoroughness  of  stud}',  the  standard  of  a  liberal  education  is 
maintained,  while  instruction  is  studiously  adapted  to  the  wants 
of  the  times. 

The  site  of  Ripon  is  among  the  most  beautiful  in  this  beautiful 
State.  The  college-grounds  include  nearly  twelve  acres,  and  are 
high,  convenient,  and  pleasant.  The  three  college-buildings  are  built 
of  stone,  and  afford  room  sutBcient  for  the  instruction  of  four  hun- 
dred and  fifty  students,  of  whom  about  two  hundred  may  reside  in 
the  buildings.  There  are  no  encumbrances  of  any  kind  on  the  college- 
property  ;  and  its  financial  management  has  been  remarkably  thrifty 
and  economical.  Since  the  organization  of  tlie  institution  as  a  col- 
lege, in  1863,  it  has  been  operated  on  its  own  earnings  and  the  income 
of  its  limited  endowment.  Every  dollar  contributed  to  it  has  been 
used  in  building  up  the  college,  without  any  diminution  for  current 
expenses,  or  for  management,  or  for  raising  money. 

The  design  of  the  trustees  is  to  keep  the  college  near  to  the  poor. 
The  expense  of  education  is  very  low.  The  entire  cost  of  board, 
room-rent,  tiution,  and  incidentals  for  a  school-year,  is  less  than  $135. 
Ilesides,  students  are  encouraged  to  help  themselves.  Tlie  last  cata- 
logue has  the  following,  "It  is  tlie  purpose  of  the  college  to  afford 
every  possible  encouragement  to  worthy  students  of  limited  means. 
Young  ladies  who  wish  may  assist  in  the  domestic  department,  and 
thus  pay,  in  part,  for  their  board.  None  are  required  to  render  any 
domestic  service,  and  none  are  allowed  to  work  more  than  two  hours 
and  a  half  a  day,  except  in  special  cases.  .  .  .  Persevering  stu- 
dents of  economical  habits  and  good  health  may,  by  taking  time 
enough,  complete  the  course,  and  earn  a  large  portion,  or  even  the 
whole,  of  their  own  support.  .  .  .  Those  who  are  in  earnest  for  an 
education,  and  have  tact  in  helping  themselves,  need  not  be  deterred 
for  want  of  means." 

One  of  the  prominent  features  of  the  college  is  the  musical  depart- 
ment. In  1868  the  trustees  decided  to  appoint  a  professor  of  music, 
under  whose  direction   the  most  thorough    instruction    should  be 


46 


INTRODVCTORT. 


secured.  Accordingly,  Mr.  John  C.  Fillmore,  a  pupil  of  the  Conser- 
vatory of  Music  of  Leipzig,  Germany,  tlien  in  clinrge  of  tlie  Conser- 
vatory of  Music  of  Oherlin  College,  was  appointed  to  the  place. 
The  department  was  thoroughly  organized,  providing  instruction  in 
piano-playing,  theory,  vocal  culture,  and  chorus  singing.  It  is  the 
steady  aim  of  the  professor  and  his  assistants  to  maljc  his  department 
one  of  fcliolarship  and  intellectual  discipline,  as  much  as  tiiat  of 
Latin  or  mathematics.  Tlie  most  profound  compositions  of  the  great 
masters  arc  studied  ;  and  while  the  most  thorough  technical  training 
is  provided,  yet  this  is  nuide  a  means  to  the  end  sought;  viz.,  the 
ability  to  understand  and  interpret  the  best  compositions.  Three 
courses  of  study  arc  provided.  The  rates  of  tuition,  as  in  the 
literary  departments,  are  very  low.  The  chorus  of  mixed  voices, 
called  the  Mendelssohn  Society,  studios  weelvly  selections  from  the 
best  oratorios  and  other  compositions. 

Tliis  sketch  furnishes  but  a  glimpse  of  one  of  the  best  organized 
institutions  of  Wisconsin,  and  one  which  is  contributing  its  full  share 
toward  making  the  history  of  the  State  honorable.  It  has  about  it 
tlie  signs  of  vigorous  growth  and  permanent  usefulness. 

Beloit  CoUetje  originated  in  the  deliberations  of  ministers  and 
laymen  of  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  churches  in  "Wisconsin 
and  Northern  Illinois.  In  May,  1845,  a  convention  of  sixty-nine 
members,  after  prayerful  deliberation,  decided  unanimously  that  the 
exigencies  of  Wisconsin  and  Northern  Illinois,  in  the  matter  of  pro- 
viding for  the  liberal  education  of  the  youth  of  that  region,  required 
the  establishment  of  a  college  for  young  men,  and  a  female  seminary, 
of  the  highest  order,  on  either  side  of  the  State  line.  Beloit,  iu 
"Wisconsin,  was  fixed  upon  as  the  place  for  the  college  ;  and  Rockford, 
in  Illinois,  for  the  female  seminary.  A  self-perpetuating  board  of  trus- 
tees for  the  college  was  then  elected,  and  incorporated  by  charter  from 
the  Territorial  legislature  of  AVlsconsin  in  1846.  The  corner-stone 
of  the  lirst  building  was  laid  in  June,  1847 ;  and  in  the  fall  of  the 
same  year  five  young  men  were  received  to  the  first  college-class. 
Jackson  J.  Bushnell,  A.M.,  and  Joseph  Emerson,  A.M.,  both  gradu- 
ates of  Yale  College  iu  the  class  of  1841,  were  the  first  regularly 
appointed  professors,  in  the  spring  of  1848.  Rev.  Aaron  L.  Chapin 
of  Milwaukee,  also  a  graduate  of  Yale,  was  elected  first  president  in 
1849,  and  continues  still  in  that  office. 

The  institution  embraces  a  collegiate  department  and  a  preparatory 
sciiool.  The  collegiate  department  offers  two  parallel  courses  of  four 
years,  called  respectively  tlie  Classical  and  the  Philosophical  Course. 
In  the  classical  course,  the  branches  of  study,  and  the  standard  of 


INTRODUCTORY. 


47 


scholarship,  correspond  with  those  of  the  best  colleges  in  New  Eng- 
liuiil.  Tiie  pliilosopliical  course  comliincs,  with  Biieii  an  amount  of 
Latin  and  Greek  us  is  considered  essential  to  tlie  best  prodcicnc}'  in 
an}'  art  or  science,  a  more  varied  range  of  stud}'  and  a  more  exten- 
sive culture  of  science.  In  tlie  preparatory  school,  also,  two  parallel 
courses  are  defined,  called  respectively  the  Classical  Course  and  the 
Elementary  Scieutilic  Course.  These  courses  occ.  i  y  three  j'cars,  and 
are  adapted  to  meet  the  requisitions  for  admission  to  the  courses  of 
the  collegiate  department.  For  such  as  do  not  contemplate  entering 
college,  they  olfer  opportunities  for  advanced  general  culture,  well- 
balanced  and  tliorougli  as  far  as  it  goes.  The  faculty  of  the  college 
is  now  (187u)  composed  of  the  president,  eight  professors,  and  two 
instructors  of  the  prei)aratory  school. 

About  two  thousand  joung  men  have  received  more  or  less  of  cul- 
ture in  the  institution  ;  and  the  graduates  of  the  full  course  number 
two  hundred  and  twelve.  Its  gi-aduates  occupy  positions  of  influence 
in  our  own  countrj'  and  many  foreign  lands.  Nearly  onc-hulf  of 
them  have  chosen  the  clerical  profession. 

For  its  endowment  and  support,  this  college  has  depended  entirely 
on  private  benefactions,  (jenerous  donations  have  been  received 
from  friends  in  both  the  East  and  the  "West ;  Pud  its  property  is  now 
estimated  at  something  over  two  hundred  thousand  dollars.  It  has  a 
beautiful  location  on  the  banks  of  Rock  River.  Its  most  prominent 
building  is  the  Memorial  Hall,  erected  in  honor  of  the  sons  of  the 
college  who  fell  in  the  late  war,  and  devoted  to  the  collections  of 
the  cabinet  and  librar}-. 

The  sister  institution  at  Rockford  has  h.ad  a  successful  career,  and 
done  a  noble  work  for  the  young  women  of  the  region,  having  sent 
forth  two  hundred  and  fourteen  graduates  from  its  full  course,  and 
thirty-eight  normal  graduates,  and  having  had  more  than  three  thou- 
sand pupils  under  its  instruction. 

Both  institutions  have  contributed  much  to  elevate  the  general 
standard  of  scholarship,  and  to  propagate  right  ideas  of  education  in 
these  new  States. 

In  this  somewhat  lengthy  Introduction,  I  have  departed  from  the 
usual  course,  and  instead  of  telling  what  was  not  included  in  the 
volume,  thiit  should  have  been,  I  have  used  the  space  for  the  present- 
ation of  those  features  that  were  unavoidably  crowded  out  of  a  more 
proper  location. 

In  conclusion,  let  me  say,  that,  in  giving  my  fourth  work  to  the  in- 
telligent reader,  I  am  not  only  sensible  of  past  failures,  but  impressed 
with  the  belief  that  the  future  offers  much  room  for  improvement. 


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to  th( 

In 
moun 


HISTORY   OF    WISCONSIN. 


CHAPTER  I. 


QENEBAL  DESCniPTION. 


Physical  Features  —  Geology  and  Minerals  —  Climate,  Soil,  and  Productions  -' 

Aatiqiiities. 

Propeisly  speaking,  there  are  no  mountains  in  Wisconsin : 
on  the  confrivry,  the  distinguishing  features  are  the  uniformity 
of  its  elevation,  and  the  condition  of  its  surface,  whicli  is,  for 
the  most  part,  gently  rolling.  The  whole  surface  may,  with  a 
few  unimportant  exceptions,  be  regarded  as  a  vast  plain,  broken 
only  by  the  cliffs  fringing  the  streams  and  lakes.  This  plain 
has  an  elevation  of  from  six  hundred  to  fifteen  hundred  feet 
above  the  ocean.  The  highest  lands  are  located  along  the  head- 
waters of  the  tributaries  of  Lake  Superior,  which,  near  the 
sources  of  the  Montreal  River,  are  about  eighteen  hundred 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  I'^rora  this  important  water- 
shed, the  land  slopes  contiiuu)U4<ly  toward  the  lake,  as  also 
toward  the  south,  to  the  Lower  Wisconsin  River.  From  the 
latter  point,  there  is  another  slope,  still  to  the  south,  drained 
by  the  waters  of  Rock  River  and  its  tributary  streams. 

The  waters  of  the  Wisconsin  and  Fox  Rivers  a^jproach  and 
mingle  at  Portage  City.  Near  this  point  they  are  connected  by 
a  canal,  from  which  there  is  a  descent  of  a  hundred  and  ninety- 
five  feet  to  Green  Bay,  and  a  hundred  and  seventy-one  feet 
to  the  Mississippi  at  Prairie  du  Chien. 

In  the  south-western  part  of  the  State  there  are  numerous 
mounds,  some  of  them  of  considerable  proportions.    Among 

49 


60 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSflN. 


the  latter  are  the  Blue,  seventeen  hundred  and  twenty-nine 
feet  above  the  sea;  the  Platte,  twelve  hundred  and  eighty- 
one  feet  above  the  sea ;  and  the  Sinsincwa  Mounds,  eleven 
hundred  and  sixty-nine  feet  above  the  sea.  These  elevations 
formerly  served  as  guides  to  th6  adventurer,  marking  certain 
well-known  points,  wliich  accounts  for  their  frequent  mention 
in  the  early  annals  of  the  Territory.  There  is  also  a  class  of 
ancient  earthworks  still  visible  in  Wisconsin,  containing  many 
peculiarities.  They  have  been  made  to  represent  quadrupeds, 
birds,  reptiles,  and  even  the  human  form.  In  the  vicinity  of 
the  well-known  Blue  Mounds,  there  is  a  specimen  of  these 
earthworks,  representing  a  man.  It  is  a  hundred  and  twenty 
feet  long,  with  a  body  over  thirty  feet  wide,  and  a  well-shaped 
head.  Its  elevation  is  six  feet  above  the  surrounding  prairie. 
The  mound  at  Prairioville  is  a  very  faithful  and  interesting 
representation  of  a  tu.lle.  The  body  is  nearly  sixty  feet  in 
length,  and  the  shape  of  the  head  is  still  well  preserved.  Not 
far  from  the  Four  Lakes,  there  are  over  a  hundred  small  mounds, 
of  various  sliapes  and  dimensions  ;  and,  in  the  same  neighbor- 
hood, fragments  of  ancient  potter}',  of  a  very  rude  kind,  have 
been  found.  A  well-formed  mound  near  Cassville  represents 
the  mastodon  ;  which  has  given  rise  to  many  speculative  opinions, 
among  which  is  that  very  reasonable  one,  that  the  ancients 
who  built  tliese  earthworks  were  contemporaries  with  that 
huge  animal.  This  theory  is  strengthened  l)y  the  presence  of 
mastodon  bones  in  these  mounds.  But  we  will  return,  for  the 
present,  to  notice  more  particularly  the  surface  of  the  country. 
The  south-eastern  portion  of  the  State  is  broken  by  ravines 
bordering  the  streams  ;  but  these  iue  depressed  only  a  little  below 
the  surrounding  level.  Tiie  prairies  are  destitute  of  trees  or 
shrubs,  and  are  richly  covered  with  grass,  interspersed  with  l)eau- 
tiful  flowers  of  all  shades  and  colors.  The  oak-openings  are  also 
a  remarkable  feature  of  this  portion  of  the  State,  as  also  the  tracts 
of  woodland  which  border  the  streams,  and  the  natural  mead- 
ows. As  one  proceeds  north  to  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  Rivers 
and  Green  Bay,  the  timber  increases  in  quantity  and  v;due,  and 
the  soil  changes  gradually  from  the  vegetable  mould  of  the 
prairie  to  the  sandy  loam.  The  surface  of  the  country  becomes 
comparatively  uneven,  changing  from  forest  to  rolling  prairie, 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


51 


from  prairies  to  swaraps,  and  from  swamps  to  extensive  marshes. 
And  still  north,  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Superior,  it  partakes 
somewhat  of  a  rugged,  mountainous  appearance. 

In  the  geological  structure,  there  is  nothing  remarkable, 
be3'ond  that  met  with  in  the  surrounding  States.  Limestone 
underlies  a  great  portion  of  the  southern  part  of  the  State. 
In  the  mineral  districts  we  encounter  the  cliff  limestone,  and  in 
other  parts  the  blue.'  The  northern  part  seems  to  be  composed 
of  primitive  rocks,  for  the  most  part  of  granite,  slate,  and  sand- 
stone. Commencing  a  little  south  of  the  Wisconsin  River,  and 
along  the  Mississippi  as  far  back  as  the  falls  of  its  tributaries, 
sandstone,  with  layers  of  limestone  above  and  below,  i?  the 
principal  rock,  and  forms  the  cliffs  on  the  Mississippi  below  St. 
Anthony's  Falls  for  over  thirty  miles.  The  streams  in  this  region 
are  considerably  obstructed  by  changing  beds  of  sand.  "  From 
Lake  Michigan,  westward  to  the  other  sections  named,  is  a 
limestone  region,  in  many  parts  well  timbered,  while  in  others 
a  considerable  portion  is  prairie.  Underlying  the  blue  lime- 
stone is  a  brown  sandstone,  which  crops  out  on  the  sides  of  the 
hills ;  but  no  lead  has  ever  been  found  in  it.  A  section  through 
Blue  Mound  would  give  the  following  residt,  descending  verti- 
cally :  hornstone,  410  feet ;  magnesian  lime,  or  lead-bearing 
rock,  169  feet ;  saccharoid  sandstone,  40  feet ;  sandstone,  3 
feet ;  lower  limestone  (at  the  level  of  the  Wisconsin),  190 
feet.  The  elevations  of  diffei'cnt  parts  of  the  southern  section 
of  the  State  are  given  by  Chancellor  Lathrop  :  at  Blue  Mounds, 
1,170 ;  head  waters  of  the  Rock  River,  31G  ;  egress  of  the 
same  river  from  the  State,  1,280  ;  and  the  portage  between  the 
Fox  and  the  Wisconsin  Rivers  at  223  .i.ove  the  level  of 
Lake  Michigan  and  the  Wisconsin  River.' 

The  minerals  of  Wisconsin  constita'  i  one  of  its  most  dis- 
tinguishing features.  A  portion  of  the  celebrated  lead  region, 
extending  from  Illinois  and  Iowa,  is  included  in  the  south-west 
part  of  Wisconsin.  The  whole  region  occupies  an  extent  of 
nearly  2,880  square  miles,  about  three-fourths  of  which  is  in 
Wisconsin.  And  we  may  add,  that  the  portion  of  this  valuable 
mineral  region  included  in  Wisconsin  is  as  rich  and  remunera- 
tive as  that  in  the  other  States.    The  lead  is  mixed  with  copper 


•  LIppincott's  Pronouncing  Qaz^tteer. 


«  Ibid. 


82 


HISTORY  OF   WlSCONSm. 


and  zinc,  the  latter  in  lari^e  quantities,  together  with  some 
silver.  Copper  ii  also  found  in  La  I^inte,  Chippewa,  St.  Croix, 
and  Iowa  Counties.  "  In  Dodge  County,  at  the  so-called  Iron 
Bridge,  is  the  most  promising  locality  of  iron  ore  in  the  State 
yet  discover;d  ;  but  on  the  Black  River,  and  other  branches 
of  the  Mississippi,  good  iron  ore  occurs.  The  iron  ores  of  the 
Lake  Superior  region  extend  from  Michigan  into  this  State  in 
abundant  deposits  of  the  richest  quality.  The  other  metallic 
substances  are  magnetic  iron,  iron  pyrites,  and  graphite,  or 
plumbago.  The  non-nietallic  earths  are  agate,  carnelians 
(found  on  the  shores  of  the  small  lakes),  bitumen,  peat.  Mar- 
ble of  a  fine  quality,  some  gypsum,  saltpetre,  and  other  miner- 
als, have  bee.T  found.  A  vein  of  copper  ore  was  discovered  in 
1848,  near  the  Kickapoo  River,  which  yields  about  twenty  per 
cent  of  copper  ;  but  to  what  extent  the  bed  runs  has  not  been 
a--certained.  Mines  were  also  worked  at  the  Falls  of  Black 
River,  and  in  its  vicinity ;  but  they  have  been  abandoned. 
Facts  do  not  justify  any  expectations  of  great  deposits  of 
vjopper  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  State.  A  great  bed  of 
magnetic  iron  ore  lies  south  of  Lake  Superior,  near  Tyler's 
Fork  of  the  Bad  River,  in  strata  of  metamorphic  slate.  The 
amount  of  lead  received  at  Milwaukee  for  the  3'ear  18G3  was 
848,625  pounds.  On  the  completion  of  the  Southern  Wiscon- 
sin Railroad  to  Dubuque,  it  is  estimated  that  2.3,000,000  pounds 
will  seek  an  outlet  at  Mil  waukee.  Beautiful  varieties  of  mar- 
ble have  been  leccntly  discovered,  or  made  known  to  the  public, 
in  the  northei-.i  part  of  Wisconsin.  According  to  l\Iessrs.  Foster's 
and  Whitney's  report,  they  arc  found  on  tbe  Michigamig  and 
Meuomonec  Rivers,  and  afford  beautiful  marble  whose  pre- 
vailing color  is  light  pink,  traversed  by  veins  or  seams  of  deep 
red.  Others  are  blue  and  dove-colored,  beautifully  veined. 
These  are  susceptible  of  a  fine  polisli  ;  and  some  on  the  Me- 
nomonee  are  within  navigable  distance  from  the  Lakes." ' 

The  lakes  and  rivers  of  W^iseonsin  are  invested  with  much 
of  beauty.  Besides  the  (xreat  Lakes,  Superior  and  Michigan, 
which  bound  the  State  of  Wisconsin  on  the  north  and  east, 
the  State  contains  a  number  of  smaller  lakes.  Many  of  tlies<,! 
are   noted  for  unrivalled  natural   scenery.     The  principal  of 

•  LippincoU's  Gaxattcer.  tlie  best  work  of  the  kind  In  Aiiievica. 


DISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


53 


these  is  Lake  A^^innebago,  a  short  distance  south-east  from  the 
centre  of  the  State.  It  is  about  twenty-eight  miles  long,  and  ten 
miles  wide,  and  communicates  with  Green  Bay,  a  north-western 
arm  of  Lake  jMichigan,  through  the  Fox,  or  Neenah  River. 
"  These  small  lakes  are  most  abundant  in  the  north-west,  and 
are  generally  characterized  by  clear  water  and  gravelly  bottoms, 
(if ten  with  bold,  picturesque  shores,  crowned  Avith  hemlock, 
tipruce,  and  other  trees.  They  afford  excellent  fish.  In  the 
shallow  waters  on  the  margins  of  some  of  them  grows  wild 
rice,  once  an  important  article  of  food  with  the  savages  of  thia 
region." ' 

The  rivers  which  traverse  the  interior,  for  the  most  part, 
How  generally  in  a  south-west  direction,  discharging  their  waters 
into  the  Mississippi.  The  latter  river  bounds  Wisconsin  on  the 
south-west  for  more  than  two  hundred  miles.  Commencing  on 
tliis  line  at  the  south,  we  have,  in  their  order,  the  Wisconsin, 
PukI  Axe,  Black,  and  Chippewa  Rivers.  Of  tiiese,  the  largest 
is  the  Wisconsin,  which  flows  nearly  directly  south  for  over  two 
liuudred  miles,  and  then  west  about  indred  miles,  into  the 
Mississippi.  It  is  navigable  for  stL.u.  ".its  for  nearly  two 
hundred  miles.  The  Chippewa  is  about  iwo  ii'.indrcd.  ami  the 
Black  about  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles  long.  Tlie  I'  \  River,  or 
Neenah,  is  the  outlet  of  Winnebago  Lake,  and  connect  it  with 
Green  Bay.  The  Wolf  River,  from  the  north,  is  tlio  main 
supply  to  this  lake.  Tlie  Menomonee  emptying  into  Green 
Iiay,  and  the  Montreal  into  Lake  Superior,  are  very  serviceable 
streams  for  manufacturing  purposes.  These  rivers  form  part 
of  the  north-east  boundary  of  Wisconsin.  "  The  Menomonee 
has  a  descent  of  1,019  feet.  The  St.  Louis  (considered  as  the 
primary  source  of  the  St.  Lawrence)  coasts  this  State  for  twenty 
or  thirty  miles  on  the  north-west,  and  is  full  of  rapids  and  falls 
in  this  part  of  its  course.  These  rivers  are  not  generally  favor- 
able to  navigation  without  artificial  aid.  The  Wisconsin  may 
be  ascended  by  steamboats  to  tlie  rapids,  where  it  approaclies 
a  tributary  of  Lake  Winnebago,  within  a  mile  and  a  half, 
where  a  canal  is  being  constructed,  which,  when  completed, 
will  open  an  entire  inland  navigation  from  New  York  to  the 
Upper  ^Mississippi.     The  Rock  River  is  sometimes,  at  high 

'  I.iX>I''u>^'>it'^  Gazetteer. 


64 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


water,  ascended  by  boats  to  within  the  limits  of  Wisconsin. 
The  Bad  Axe,  Black,  Chippewa,  and  St.  Croix  arc  important 
channels  for  floating  timber  to  market  from  the  pine  regions  in 
the  north-west  uf  the  State.  The  rivers  flowing  into  Lake 
Superior  are  small ;  and,  though  unfavorable  for  commerce,  their 
rapid  courses  make  them  valuable  for  mill-sites.  Col.  Long 
estimates  that  the  Chippewa,  Black,  Wisconsin,  and  Rock 
Rivers  are  respectively  capable  of  a  steamboat  navigation  of 
seventy,  sixty,  a  hundred  and  eighty,  and  two  hundred  and 
fifty  miles  ;  but  at  present  they  are  a  good  deal  obstructed  by 
shil'iing  sand  and  rapids."  ' 

The  climate,  though  quite  severe  in  winter,  is  free  from  those 
sudden  changes  that  prevail  farther  south.  The  summers  are 
warm  ;  the  winters,  cold,  and  usually  very  long :  but  upon  tlie 
whole,  for  general  health,  Wisconsin  may  bo  regarded  as  the 
most  desirable  place  of  residence.  The  natural  scenery  is  not 
excelled  for  beauty  in  North  America ;  while,  on  the  other 
hand,  in  many  of  its  rivers,  inland  lakes,  and  mounds  and  dells, 
it  presents  features  of  marvellous  beauty  far  surpassing  other 
localities. 

The  soil  and  productions  of  AVisconsin  are  considered  at 
length  in  the  chapters  on  agriculture,  farther  on  in  this  volume  : 
hence  the  absence  of  any  mention  of  them  here. 

We  now  come  to  notice  briefly,  and  more  particularly,  some 
of  the  principal  features  of  tiio  ancient  earth-works,  or  antiqui- 
ties, of  Wiscon  in.  These  arc  found  in  numerous  localities, — 
near  tlie  bordeis  of  the  lakes,  or  on  the  margin  of  water- 
courses,—  all  over  the  State.  It  is  curious  to  notice,  says  Rev. 
William  Barry,  that  tliey  are  chiclly  found  at  points  already 
selected  as  the  most  favorable  sites  for  modern  settlements, 
showing  that  the  instincts  of  botli  civilized  and  uncivilized  are 
alike  attracted  to  those  localities  which  combine  at  once  the 
beautiful  and  the  useful. ' 

We  are  further  informed  liy  Mr.  Burr}',  that,  in  proceed- 
ing north  on  Lake  Michigan,  the  fust  point  noticeal)lo  for  it.s 
remains  is  a  few  miles  south  of  the  Wisconsin  line,  in  Illinois, 
where   are   found  some  niin;  conical  or  round  mounds,  from 

1  Lippincott's  Oazettoor. 

»  From  a  review  of  Dr.  I.  A.  I  aplmnrs  work,  l)y  Eev.  William  Barry,  Chicago. 


56 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


three  to  five  feet  in  height,  and  about  thirty  feet  in  diameter. 
These  are  disposed  in  a  serpentine  row  along  the  crest  of  a 
ridge  of  sand,  and  were,  undoubtedly,  burial-places  of  the  dead. 
At  Kenosha  were  found  indications  of  a  manufactory  of  arrow- 
heads and  other  articles  of  flint,  for  which  abundant  material 
was  furnished  by  the  bowlders  and  pebbles  along  the  lake 
beach  and  shore.  At  Racine,  there  are  a  number  of  very  inter- 
esting remains,  chiefly  on  the  high  ground  near  Root  River, 
from  one  to  two  miles  from  the  lake.  Here  are  numerous 
circular  burial-mounds,  though  of  small  size  and  elevation,  em- 
braced in  one  circular  enclosure,  with  several  tapering  ridges. 
The  mounds  are  without  systematic  arrangement,  from  five  to 
fifty  feet  in  diameter,  and  from  one  to  seven  feet  in  height. 
Dr.  Hoy  of  Racine  opened  one,  in  which  were  found  the 
skeletons  of  seven  persons,  in  a  sitting  posture,  facing  the 
east,  but  unaccompanied  with  ornaments.  In  another  he  dis- 
covered two  vases  of  pottery,  one  made  of  cream-colored  clay 
and  white  sand,  like  pale  brick,  of  the  capacity  of  five  quarts : 
the  other,  which  was  of  a  red  brick  color,  was  smaller.  Both  are 
thought  to  resemble  those  in  culinary  use  among  the  Burmese. 
The  great  antiquity  of  these  remains  is  made  clear  by  the 
gig.  ntic  size  of  the  trees  now  standing  upon  them  ;  one  with 
three  hundred  rings  showing,  as  Dr.  Hoy  estimates,  an  aii- 
tiqi  ity  of  a  thousand  years.  But  the  most  numerous  group  of 
these  mounds  lies  about  a  mile  west  of  Racine ;  and  a  part 
of  them  has  been  embraced  in  the  modern  cemetery  of  that 
beautiful  city. 

The  numerous  earth-works  about  Milwaukee  attest  at  once 
the  attractiveness  of  that  favorite  locality  to  the  aboriginal 
inhabitants.  They  extend  from  Kinnicklnnic  Creek,  near  the 
"  Indian  fields,"  where  they  are  most  abundant,  to  a  point  six 
miles  above  the  city.  They  occupy  the  high  grounds  contigu- 
ous to  the  lake  and  streams,  but  not  the  immediate  shore  ;  and 
a  considerable  number  are  appropriately  enclosed  in  the  "  For- 
est Home  "  cemetery  of  Milwaukee.  Many  of  the  mounds  in 
this  re:j;ion  are  of  large  extent,  chiefly  from  one  hundred  to 
four  hundred  feet  in  diameter ;  and  are  laid  out  in  fanciful 
forms,  resem'iiling  the  figures  of  turtles,  lizards,  birds,  tlie 
otter,  ami  buffalo  :  not  a  few  have  the  form  of  a  wur-club.     lu 


HISTORY  OF  WISCOSSIN. 


87 


some  instances,  one  mound  is  elevated  so  as  to  overlook  or  com- 
mand many  others,  which  has  led  to  the  conjecture  of  its  being 
cither  an  observatory,  or,  more  probably,  an  altar-mound  for 
sacrificial  or  religious  rites. 

At  Sheboygan  and  Manitowoc,  similar  antiquities  are  found, 
though  to  a  smaller  extent.  Many  bear  resemblance  to  simple 
breastworks  for  defence ;  being  about  four  feet  in  height,  and 
twelve  feet  broad  at  the  base. 

On  leaving  the  lake-shore,  fine  remains  are  to  be  found  on  the 
borders  of  the  interior  waters  of  Wisconsin.  On  the  Fox  or 
Pishtaka  River  are  several  interesting  localities,  —  one  a  little 
north  of  west  from  Chicago,  Avhere  were  counted  on  the  brow 
of  a  hill  twenty-seven  mounds  from  a  foot  to  four  and  a  half  feet 
in  height,  and  from  fifteen  to  twenty-five  feet  long.  The  prin- 
cipal points  of  interest  on  the  Pishtaka  are  at  or  near  Wauke- 
sha, where  have  been  disinterred  many  pipes  and  specimens  of 
pottery,  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  village  of  Pewaukee, 
where  is  a  remarkable  >^ollection  of  lizard  and  turtle  mounds  ; 
one  having  a  length  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  feet.' 


•'  The  basin  of  Rock  River,  with  its  tributaries,  is,  perhaps,  exceeded  by 
no  part  of  the  North-west  in  the  intccsting  character  of  tliese  aborig;inal 
remains.  Witliout  particularizing  those  found  a  few  miles  above  Fulton, 
where  the  river  expands  into  a  beautiful  lake,  abounding  in  fish,  a  natural 
attraction  to  the  red  man,  it  may  be  worth  while  to  notice  more  at  length 
the  very  remarkable  remains  found  at  what  has  been  termed  the  '  ancient 
city  of  Aztalan.'  This  locality  has  attracted  much  notice  as  one  of  the 
wonders  of  the  West;  and  exaggerated  accounts  have  gone  fortii  of  its  brick 
walls  and  buttresses,  its  stone  arches,  &c.,  in  all  of  which  there  is  hardly 
a  shadow  of  truth.  These  remains  were  first  discovered  in  1830,  and  has- 
tily surveyed  by  N.  F.  Ilyer,  Esq.,  the  year  following. 

"  On  the  west  bi'iinch  of  Rock  River  may  be  seen  a  ridge  of  earth  (not  of 
brick)  extending  around  three  sides  of  an  irregular  parallelogram,  the  river 
forming  the  fourth  side.  Its  length  at  the  north  end  is  031  feet;  on  the 
west  side,  1,419  feet,  and  700  feet  on  the  south  side  ;  making  an  aggregate 
length  of  L',7J0  feet,  and  enclosing  an  area  of  seventeen  and  two-thirds 
acres.  The  ridge  is  about  twenty-two  feet  in  width,  and  from  a  foot  to 
five  feet  high,  the  corners  not  rectangular,  and  the  end)ankmciit  not 
straight.  The  so-called  '  buttresses  '  are  simple  eidargements,  about  forty 
feet  in  diauiotor,  at  intervals  varying  from  sixty-one  to  ninety-five  feet, 
giving  the  appearance  of  so  many  mounds  with  a  connecting  ridge.     Irreg- 


'  From  Rev.  William  Barry's  Paper  on  the  Antiquities  of  Wisconsin. 


58 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


ular  in;issps  of  red  cliiy  in  tlie  cnibankment,  in  somo  instaiicfis  partially 
bak(!il  by  Imniiii,,'  glass  or  straw,  liavo  led  to  the  popular  belief  of  thj 
einiiloyiiiciit  of  briek  ia  its  conslruction. 

"  At  the  soiitli-west  corner  of  the  intariur  is  found  a  square  truncated 
mound,  liavinj  a  level  area  on  the  top  fifty-tlirco  feet  wide  on  its  west  side, 
and,  seen  from  Iii'^h  ground  near,  has  the  appearance  of  a  jij'ramid  '  rising 
by  successive  steps,  lilco  tiie  gi,gaiitio  structures  of  Mexico.'  This  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  tjie  most  sacred  spot,  as  well  as  the  lu,c;lipst.  The  exte- 
rior wall  cuives  arouiul  tiiis  ]iyramid,  and  is  also  protected  by  two  parallel 
walls  outside  the  principal  enibanlcnient.  A  similar  pyramidal  elovatica  is 
found  at  the  north-west  corner  ;  whilo  various  low  and  smaller  ridges  are 
to  be  seen  within  the  enclosure,  witli  connecting  rings  or  circles,  supposed 
to  be  the  remains  of  mud-houses.  That  the  structure  above  described  was 
intended  for  sepulchral  or  other  religious  uses,  rather  than  for  military 
defence,  is  made  probable  by  the  disinterment  of  half-burned  human 
remains  from  one  of  the  buttresses,  together  with  fragments  of  pottery  and 
fiharcoal.  It  is  confirmed  by  the  material  fact,  tliat  the  whola  structure  is 
commanded,  in  a  military  point  of  view,  by  a  parallel  ridge,  extending 
along  tlio  west  side,  within  arrow-shot  distance. 

"  Tlie  strong  resemblance  tins  struetui'o  bears  to  tl.o  temple  mounds  of 
Oliio,  and  the  States  soutli,  places  it  in  tlie  pame  family  with  that  class, 
which  finds  its  highest  type  in  the  fmislied  monuments  of  Mexican  art. 
Hence  tiie  name  given  to  this  locality  of  Aztalan, — a  derivative  from  the 
Aztecs  of  Jlexieo,  among  whom  existed  the  tradition  of  a  migration  from 
the  north.  The  dis^  .llirity  of  these  remains  to  the  animal-shaped  mounds 
commonly  found  in  the  West  is  worthy  of  notice  ;  and  it  may  have  been, 
as  Mr.  Lapham  supposes,  a  sort  of  Mecca,  —  the  periodical  resort  of  the 
race  that  constructed  it.  It  is  sad  to  say,  however,  that  this  highly-inter- 
esting work  of  antiquity,  like  many  others,  is  .suffering  injury  at  the  hands 
of  civilized  man,  who  is  fuirowing  it  for  grain,  or  digging  for  its  hidden 
treasures.  C'anr.ot  this  work  of  the  destroyer  be  stayed,  and  these  precious 
monunvnts  of  a  race  tliat  no  longer  lives  to  tell  its  story  be  preserved? 

"Besides  the  antiquities  of  Aztalan  there  are  yet  otiiors  in  the  valley  of 
Rock  lliver,  beyond  Ixonia,  at  AV'olf  Point  (memorable  as  the  point  where 
Black  Hawk  made  his  stand  in  1S:J2),  at  Hartford,  where  has  been  found  a 
bird-shaped  stone,  much  revered  by  the  Winnebago  Indians,  and,  five  miles 
farther,  a  ridge  one  thousand  feet  in  length.  But  the  most  extensive  and 
varied  group  is  at  Iloricon,  numlieriug  about  two  hundred  common  mounds, 
among  which  are  modern  graves  of  the  Tottawattomies.  Sixteen  of  tho 
mounds  are  of  a  cruciform  shape. 

"  It  would  require  more  space  than  propriety  allows  to  give  in  detail  tho 
various  works  of  antiquity  on  tlie  Xeenali  or  Tox  River  of  Green  Bay;  on  a 
branch  of  Graml  River,  where  are  soma  one  hundred  mounds,  one  called, 
from  its  figure,  '  tho  man,'  though  with  some  inequality  in  (ho  length  of 
its  members  ;  on  the  basin  of  the  fine  River  Wisconsin,  wh(>re,  at  the  '  Delis 
of  the  Wisconsin,'  is  an  enclosure  with  an  area  of  forty-five  thousand 


msTOitr  OF  \viscOi\si!f. 


59 


square  fuct,  largo  enough  to  hold  two  thousauil  persons,  fortified  by  double 
walls,  wliich  tn:iy  have  been  protected  by  palisades;  and  at  Iron  Creek  is 
still  anotlior  fort  siirrounded  by  a  fosse,  or  ditch,  in  the  form  of  a  parallelo- 
gram, and  symmetrical  iu  its  figure.  Wo  might  pass  on  to  notice  the 
curiosities  of  the  Lake  Vieux  Desert,  with  its  beautiful  island  so  favorablo 
for  cultivation  and  defence  to  the  primitive  race,  and  showing  an  intarcsting 
elliptical  embankment  in  its  centre;  and  the  yet  more  attractive  remains  in 
the  region  of  Lake  Superior,  where  have  been  found  mounds  in  tha  forms 
of  mathematical  figures,  one  a  regular  pyramid,  liko  that  witliin  tho  walls 
of  Aztalan. 

"Should  tho  reader  desire  a  more  detailed  account  of  these  relics  of 
American  antifjuity,  and  others  wo  have  not  particularly  referred  to,  at 
Madison  and  elsewhere,  he  will  find  them  in  Sir.  Lapham's  valuable  Me- 
morials, from  which  we  have  freely  drawn.  It  is  gratifying  that  public 
attention  is  directed  to  these  remains,  which  desarve  a  thorough  examinatiou 
from  men  of  science.  It  is  clear,  that  but  little  is  yet  known  of  them. 
Further  and  more  careful  examination  may  throw  a  flood  of  light  upon  tha 
race  who  have  left  them  to  us,  of  whom  we  now  know  little  more  than  what 
a  glimpse  at  tliese  remarkable  eartli-mounds  reveals.  A  few  bones,  a  few 
bits  of  pottery,  pipes  wrought  sometimes  iu  artistic  forms,  a  few  rude  im- 
plements,—  tills  is  all.  A  single  example  of  hieroglyphic  characters  is 
given  us  at  Gale's  BluiT,  near  La  Crosse,  on  the  Mississippi,  forbidding  the 
hope  of  learning  much,  save  by  inference  and  comparison.  Yet  much  is 
possible  to  scientific  research,  as  is  witnessed  iu  the  long  obscured  monu- 
ments of  Egypt  and  Babylon."  * 

Dr.  I.  A.  Lapliam  suggests,  that  tho  people  who  left  these 
monuments  were  the  progenitors  of  the  fast-facling  Indian 
tribes  of  North  America,  and  that  thi.s  is  made  probable  by  the 
resemblance  of  the  pots  and  vases  in  figure,  &;c.,  to  those 
afterwards  found  in  old  Indian  villages,  and  to  those  still 
made  by  the  women  of  the  jMandan  and  other  tribes.  "  He 
also  supposes  there  was  a  gradual  transition  in  the  form  of 
the  mounds.  They  are  found  in  all  figures,  from  the  full 
circle,  through  the  oval  and  elongated  mounds,  to  the  oblong 
and  long  ridges.  He  considers  the  oldest  to  embrace  those 
formed  in  tho  figures  of  animals,  and  tho  great  works  at 
Aztalan  ;  that  the  next  in  the  order  of  time  were  conical 
mounds  erected  for  sepulchral  uses,  these  coming  down  to 
a  recent  period.  Indications  of  garden-beds  have  been  found 
in  connection  with  some  of  the  mounds,  which  are  planted 
in  geometrical  figures,   or  in  right  lines.      These   he  places 

1  Mr.  Barry's  Paper. 


no 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


later.  The  most  recent  are  those  bearing  marlcs  of  phanta- 
tions  by  modern  Indians,  witli  no  observance  of  reguhuity  or 
order.  This  theory  supposes  a  singuhir  and  sad  degeneracy 
in  the  latter  race  of  the  red  men.  It  is  worthy  of  notice, 
that  the  animal-shaped  mounds  are  chiefly  confined  to  the 
territory  embraced  in  the  State  of  Wisconsin."  '  And  we  may 
add,  that  the  antiquities  of  the  State,  in  all  their  varied  features, 
present  a  wide  field  for  scientific  research,  —  a  labor  that 
ought  to,  as  it  no  doubt  will,  receive,  as  it  has  in  the  past, 
ample  government  support. 

'  Kov.  W'iUiam  Barry's  Paper. 


CHAPTER  TT. 


CnnONOLOOY  of  AVISCONSIN  from  ir>39  TO  184S. 


1639.  The  country  as  far  as  tho  head  of  the  Wisconsin 
River  was  explored  by  Nicolct. 

1054.  Tlio  territory  nnw  embraced  within  tho  limits  of  the 
State  in  the  vicinity  of  Green  Day  was  occupied  by  fur-traders. 

ICGO.  Ren6  Menard  explored  the  country  to  Chegoimegon 
Bay,  Lake  Superior,  where  a  mission  was  afterwards  estab- 
lished. 

IGCl.  The  same  traveller  crossed  the  country  from  Lake 
Superior  to  Black  River  Falls. 

lGC-1.  The  French  minister  oflicially  orders,  or  grants,  tho 
sale  of  brand3'  and  other  liquors  to  the  Indians. 

1605.  Claude  AUouez,  an  eminent  pioneer  missionary,  estab- 
lished a  mission  at  La  Pointe,  Lake  Superior. 

1GG7.  Louis  Nicholas  joined  Allouez  at  the  mission  at  La 
Pointe. 

1GG9.  Father  Allouez  established  a  mission  at  Dcs  Peres,  or 
Green  Buy.  This  mission  was  at  the  Rapids  of  Dcpere,  a  short 
distance  above  the  present  city  of  Green  Bay. 

1G70.  Father  Allouez  made  a  voyage  of  the  Fox  and  Wis- 
consin Rivers  to  within  a  short  distance  of  tho  Mississipiii,  — 
a  near  approach  to  the  discovery  of  the  Father  of  Waters. 

1671.  In  this  year  the  French  took  fonnal  possession  of  the 
whole  North-west. 

1673.  Father  James  Marquette  discovered  tho  Mississippi 
River. 

1674.  The  same  explorer  coasted  Lake  Michigan,  from  Green 
Bay,  by  IMilwaukec,  to  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Chicago. 

1670.  Father  Allou.ez  made  a  voyage  to  Chicago  by  Mil- 
waukee. 

62 


niSTOHY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


68 


1079.  "  The  Griffin,"  a  schooner  built  hy  La  Salic,  and  the 
fust  to  make  a  voyage  of  the  lake  above  the  Niagara,  arrived 
at  Green  B.ny. 

1679.  La  Salle  made  a  voyage  on  Lake  Michigan,  from  Green 
Bay  to  the  St.  Joseph  River. 

1G79.  Capt.  Du  Lath  held  a  council,  and  concluded  a  peace 
with  the  natives  of  Lake  Superior. 

1G80.  Tonti  established  a  military  port  and  garrison  at  Green 
Bay. 

1081.  Marquette's  journal  and  map  of  his  travels  and  explo- 
rations in  the  Norlh-wcst  were  publislied  in  France. 

1083.  Lc  Sueur  made  a  voyage  of  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin 
Rivers  to  the  Mississippi. 

108.3.  Durantaye  erected  a  fort  at  Checagua. 

1088.  l-'ort  St.  Nicholas  was  built  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Wisconsin. 

1088.  La  Hontau  made  a  voyage  through  the  country,  making 
valuable  observations. 

1088.  Parret  established  a  trading-station  on  Lake  Pepin. 

1088.  Fort  St.  Antoine  was  erected  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Chippewa  River. 

1088.  A  military  port  named  Beauharnois  was  erected  on 
the  north  side  of  Lake  Pepin. 

1G9.J.  Lo  Sueur  built  a  fort  on  an  island  in  the  Mississippi, 
below  (he  St.  Croix. 

1G99.  John  Buisson  do  St.  Comes  made  a  voyage  of  Lake 
Michigan,  stopping  at  Milwaukee. 

1700.  Le  Sueur  made  a  voyage  up  the  ^lississippi  in  search 
of  copper  ore. 

1714.  Le  Louvigny's  battle  with  the  Fox  Indiana  at  Butte 
des  Morts. 

1719.  Francis  Renalt  explored  the  Upper  IMississippi  Avith 
two  hundred  miners. 

1721.  P.  de  Charlevoix  made  a  journey  tlirough  Wisconsin. 

1720.  A  French  furt  was  established  at  Green  Bay. 

1727.  The  French  established  a  fort  on  Lake  Pepin,  with 
Sieur  de  Lappcrriere  commandant. 

1728.  There  was  a  great  flood  in  the  Mississippi ;  and  Fort 
Beauharnois  was  submerged. 


64 


nrsTonr  of  wisconsw. 


1728.  A  French  expedition,  under  De  Lingnery,  from  Green 
Bay,  puni.slied  the  Foxes. 

17'i4.  A  battle  took  place  between  the  French,  and  the  Sauka 
and  Foxes. 

1745,  Green  Bay  w.  «  ^settled  by  Augustus  and  Charles  De 
Langlade. 

1747.  Capt.  De  Voioheres  takes  command  at  Green  Bay. 

17o4.  Sieur  Martin,  in  command  at  Green  Bay,  makes  a 
peace  with  the  Indians. 

1755.  A  French  post,  or  fort,  was  established  at  Prairie  du 
Chicn. 

17G0.  Capt.  Balfour  and  Lieut.  GorrcU,  with  English  troops, 
took  posscs.'-ion  of  Green  Bay. 

1702.  A  depiUation  of  Indians  went  from  Milwaukee  to 
Green  Bay  to  complain  of  dishonest  traders. 

1703.  The  English,  under  Lieut.  Gorrcll,  abandon  Green  Bay 
in  consequence  of  the  approaching  Indian  war. 

1703.  The  great  Pontiac  w.ir. 

1703.  Treaty  of  Paris,  by  whicli  all  the  temtory  of  New 
France,  iinjluding  Wisconsin,  was  surrendei'ed  to  the  English. 

1704.  Green  Bay  re-occupied  by  the  Biitish  under  Capt. 
Howard. 

1704.  Louisiana  ceded  to  Spain  by  tlie  French. 

1700.  The  laws  of  Canada  were  extended  over  the  north- 
west. 

1700-08.  Jonathan  Carver  makes  an  extended  tour  through 
the  couuti'v. 

1774.  Organizatici  of  the  Nouh-wcstern  Fur  Company. 

1'h"4.  A  civil  government  was  csutbli.hed  in  the  North-west, 
by  the  celebrated  "  Quclicc  Act." 

1777.  Indians  froiu  Wisconsin  joined  the  British  against  the 
Americans. 

17S0.  Lieut.-Gov.  Patrick  St.  Clair  of  Canada  purchased 
Green  Bay,  Prairie  da  Chien,  &o.,  from  the  Indians. 

1785.  There  was  a  great  (lood  in  the  Mississippi  River. 

1780.  Julian  Dubuque  explored  the  lead  :egiou  of  the 
Upper  Mississippi. 

1787.  The  well-known  Ordinance  of  1787  was  passed  by 
Congress  for  the  government  of  the  North-west. 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


65 


1788.  There  was  a.i  Indian  council  at  Green  Jiay.  Permis- 
sion to  work  the  lead  mines  was  given  to  Dubuque. 

1796.  Green  Bay,  Prairie  du  Chit  n,  <Scc.,  were  surrendered  by 
the  English  to  the  United  States. 

1796.  Laws  of  the  Ordinance  of  1787  extended  over  the 
North-west. 

1800.  Indian  territory  organized,  including  Wisconsin. 

1800.  Louisiana  ceded  to  France  by  Spain. 

1803.  Antoiue  Barth  settled  at  the  portage  of  the  Fox  and 
Wisconsin  Rivers. 

1803.  Louisiana  ceded  to  the  United  States  by  France. 

1804.  Indian  treaty  at  St.  Louis  ;  Southern  Wisconain  pur- 
chased. 

1805.  Michigan  Territory  organized. 

1805.  Lieut.  Pike  ascended  the  Mississippi  River. 

1809.  Thomas  Nuttali,  the  '  otanist,  explored  Wisconsin. 

1809.  Illinois  Territory  was  organized,  including  Wisconsin. 

1809.  First  saw-mill  built,  near  Green  Bay. 

1812.  Indians  assembled  at  Green  Bay  to  join  the  English. 

1814.  Gov.  Clark  took  possession  of  Prairie  du  Chien. 

1814.  Prairie  du  Chien  surrendered  to  the  British. 

1815.  The  American  Fur  Company  began  to  establisli  trad- 
ing-posts. 

1815.  United  States  trading-post  established  at  Green  Bay. 

1816.  Indian  treaty  confirming  tliat  of  1804. 

1816.  United  States  troops  took  possession  of  Prairie  du 
Chien. 

1816.  Col.  Miller  commenced  the  erection  of  Fort  Howard 
at  Green  Bo  . 

181G.  Indii-ii  treaty  ;  lands  relinquished  to  Indiana. 

1816.  Jaqucs  Vicux  settled  at  Milwaukee. 

1817.  Indian  treaty  at  St.  Louis. 

1817.  Major  S.  II.  Long  ascended  the  Mississippi. 

1818.  State  of  Illinois  was  organized  ;  Wisconsin  attached  to 
Michigan. 

1818.  Solomon  Juneau  built  his  cabin. 
1818.  A  saw-mill  built  four  miles  above  Prairie  du  Chien. 
1818.  Brown  and  Crawford  Counties  organized,  including  the 
who'e  State. 

s      ' 


66 


nisTORT  OF  wrscoNsm. 


1819.  A  saw-mill  erected  at  Black  River  Falls,  by  C.  A. 
Andrews. 

1819.  Fort  Snelling  built  and  occupied. 

1820.  United-States  commissioners  adjusted  land-claims  at 
Green  Bay. 

1821.  Oueida  and  Stockbridge  Indians  settled  near  Green 
Bay. 

1821.  First  post-ofFice  established  at  Green  Bay. 

1821.  Fort  Crawford  built  at  Prairie  du  Chiea. 

1822.  The  New  York  Indians  purcliase  lauds  east  of  Lake 
Winnebago. 

1822.  James  Johnson  obtained  from  the  Indians  the  right  to 
dig  for  lead  by  negro  slaves  from  Kentucky. 

1823,  January.  Wisconsin  made  a  separate  Judicial  District 
by  Congress. 

1823.  First  government  leases  to  lead-miners. 

1823.  Land-claims  at  Prairie  du  Chiea  adjusted  by  the  gov- 
ernment. 

1823.  !Mnjor  S.  H.  Long's  expedition  to  the  Upper  Missis- 
sippi. 

1823.  First  steamboat  on  the  Upper  Mississippi,  with  jNIajor 
Taliafero  and  Count  B(,'ltrami. 

1823.  Lieut.  Bayfield  of  the  British  navy  made  a  survey  of 
Lake  Superior. 

1823.  An  Episcopal  mission  established  near  Green  Bay. 

1824.  James  D.  Doty  ap^iointed  judge  by  Pres.  ^lonioe  ;  held 
the  office  nine  years. 

1824,  July  12.  First  court  held  in  Brown  County. 

1824.  Oct.  4.  First  term  of  United-States  Circuit  Court  held 
at  Green  Ba}'. 

182'),  Aug.  1  and  19.  Indian  treaties  at  Prairie  du  C'-'en. 

1825.  Tlie  Carver  grant  of  land  rejected  by  Congress. 
J82G.  First  steamboat  on  Lake  Michigan. 

1826.  Indian  treaty  at  St.  Louis. 

1826.  Great  flood  in  the  Mississippi,  twenty-six  feet  above 
low  water  at  Prairie  du  Cliiea. 

1827.  A  rush  of  speculators  to  (he  lead-mines. 

1827.  Difficulties  with  the  Indiaas.  Troops  sent  to  settle 
them. 


68 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


1827,  Aug.  11.  Treaty  with  the  Menomonee  Indians  at 
Butte  des  Morts. 

1828.  Fort  V/innebago  built  at  "  the  portage." 

1828.. Indian  treaty  at  Green  Bay;  the  lead-region  pui-- 
chfsed. 

1828.  Lead  ore  discovered  at  Mineral  Point  and  Dodgeville. 

1829,  July  29.  Winnebago  treaty  at  Prairie  du  Chien. 

1829,  A  Methodist  mission  established  at  Green  Ijny. 
18C0.  A  Methodist  mission  established  at  La  Pointe. 

1830,  May.  The  Sioux  killed  seventeen  Sauks  and  Foxes 
near  Prairie  du  Chien. 

1831,  Feb.  8.  Menomonee  treaty  at  Washington. 

1831.  Public  lands  in  the  lead-region  surveyed  by  Lucius 
Lyon  and  others. 

1832,  June  16.  Battle  with  the  Sauk  Indians  on  the  Peka- 
tonica. 

1832,  July  21.  Battle  on  the  Wisconsin  River. 

1832,  Aug.  2.  Battle  at  mouth  of  the  Bad  Axe  ;  Black  Hawk 
defeated. 

1832.  First  arrival  of  steamboat  at  Chicago. 

1832.  Schoolcraft  discovered  the  true  source  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi. 

1832,  Sept.  15.  Winnebago  treaty  at  Fort  Armstrong. 

1832,  Oct.  27.  Treaty  with  the  Menomonoes. 

1832.  High  water  in  the  ^lississippi. 

1833.  A  Methodist  mission  established  at  Ottawa  Lake 
(Chi[)pewa  River). 

1833,  Sept.  20.  Indian  treaty  at  Chicago  ;  lands  south  and 
west  of  Milwaukee  ceded  to  the  government. 

1833,  Dec.  11.  First  newspaper  ("  Green  Bay  Intelligencer  ") 
published. 

1834.  Public  lands  near  Green  Bay  surveyed  by  A.  G. 
Ellis. 

1834.  Land  offices  established  at  Mineral  Point  and  Green 
Bay. 

1834.  Population  by  census  taken,  4,795. 

1835.  First  settlement  at  Milwaukee,  Samuel  Brown  and 
family. 

1835.  George  W.  Jones  elected  delegate  to  Congress. 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


69 


1835.  J.  N.  Nicollett  commenced  scientific  exploration. 

1835.  Public  lands  at  Milwaukee  surveyed  by  William  A. 
Burt. 

1836,  Jan.  9.  The  legislative  council  of  Michigan  met  at 
Green  Bay. 

183G,  April  30.  Henry  Dodge  appointed  governor  by  Pros. 
Andrew  Jackson. 

183G,  July  4.  Territory  of  Wisconsin  organized. 

1836,  July  14.  "  Milwaukee  Advertiser "  published  at  371 
Third  Street. 

18C6,  Sept.  3.  Treaty  with  the  Menomonees  at  Green  Bay. 

1836,  Oct.  10.  George  W.  Jones  elected  delegate  to  Con- 
gress. 

1836,  Oct.  25.  First  legislature  of  Wisconsin  convened  at 
Belmont,  Wis. 

1836,  Dec.  3.  Seat  of  government  established  at  Madison. 

1836.  First  school  opened  in  Milwaukee  (at  No.  371  Third 
Street). 

1836.  United  States  land-office  opened  at  Milwaukee. 

1837,  Jan.  26.  Michigan  admitted  as  a  State. 
1837,  July  20.  Chippewa  treaty  at  Fort  Snelling. 

1837,  Sept.  29.  Sioux  treaty ;  lands  east  of  the  Mississippi 
ceded. 
1837,  Nov.  1.  Winnebago  treaty  ;  lands  ceded. 

1837,  Nov.  6.  Legislature  met  at  Burlington,  lo. 

1838,  June  11.  Special  session  of  the  legislature  at  Burling- 
ton, To. 

1838,  Sept.  10.  James  D.  Doty  elected  delegate  to  Congress. 

1838,  Nov.  26.  First  session  of  the  legislature  at  Madison. 

1839,  Jan.  21.  Legislative  session  ;  statutes  enacted. 

1839.  Lidian  (Sioux  and  Chippewa)  battle ;  two  hundred 
killed. 

1839,  September.  James  D.  Doty  re-elected  to  Congress. 

1839,  Doc.  6.  Legislative  session  commenced. 

1840,  Aug.  3.  Extra  session  of  the  legislature. 

1840,  Dec.  7.  Legislative  session. 

1841,  Sept.  27.  Henry  Dorlge  elected  delegate  to  Congress. 
1841,  Sept.  30.  James  Duane  Doty  appointed  governor  by 

Pres.  John  Tyler. 


70 


nrsTonr  of  ir/scojvs/x 


1841,  Dec.  G.  Lcfijislature  met. 

1842,  Oct.  4.  Chippewa  treaty  at  La  Pointe  ;  lands  ceded. 

1842,  Dec.  (J.  Legislutivo  session  commenced. 

'    1843,  Sept.  25.  Henry  Dodge   re-electeu    tteiegate   to    Con- 
gress. 

1843,  Dec.  4.  Legislative  session  commenced. 

1844,  June  21.  Nathaniel  P.  Tallmadge  appointed  governor 
by  Pres.  John  Tyler. 

1845,  Jan.  6.  Legislative  session  commenced. 

1845,  April  8.  Henry  Dodge  appointed  governor  by  Prep. 
James  K.  Polk. 

1845,  Sept.  22.  Morgan  L.  Martin  elected  delegate  to  Con- 
gress. 

1846,  Jan  5.  The  legislature  met. 

184G,  April.  A  vote  of  the  people  in  favor  of  a  State 
government. 

1840,  Aug.  6.  Act  of  Congress  authorizing  a  State  govern- 
ment. 

184C,  Dec.  IG.  A  State  constitution  adopted  in  convention. 

1847,  Jan.  4.  The  legislature  met. 

1847,  April.  The  proposed  State  constitution  rejected  by 
vote  of  the  people. 

1847,  Sept.  27.  John  H.  Tweedy  elected  delegate  to  Con- 
gress. 

1847,  Oct.  18.  Special  session  of  the  legislature. 

1848,  Feb.  1.  A  new  State  constitution  adopted  in  conven- 
tion. 

1848,  Feb.  7.  Sixteenth  (and  last)  session  of  the  Territorial 

Legislature. 

1848,  March  13.  The  State  constitution  adopted  by  a  vote 
of  the  people  ;  and  Wisconsin  became  one  of  the  States  of  the 
American  Union,  being  the  seventeenth  admitted,  and  the 
thirtieth  in  the  list  of  States. 


CHAPTER  III. 


IKDIAN  TRIBES  OP  WISCONSIN. 


It  is  not  our  intention,  in  this  chapter,  to  write  any  extensive 
notice  touching  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  native  tribes 
of  Wisconsin :  such  would  be  foreign  to  the  scope  of  this 
volume.  Nevertheless,  a  list  of  the  tribal  names  of  the  Indians 
who  inhabited  the  Territory,  together  with  a  few  hints  as  to 
their  location  and  successive  removals,  will  be  expedient.  In 
this,  as  in  some  of  the  succeeding  chapters,  our  remarks  will  be 
statistical  rather  than  descriptive. 

We  may,  Avith  good  results,  give  a  list  of  the  different  names 
by  which  the  Indian  tribes  of  Wisconsin  have  been  known:  — 


Ainoves  =Iowa8. 

Assistaeronons  =:  Mascontina. 

Ayauways  =  lowas. 

Bay  Indiana  =  Winnebagoes. 

Brothortowns. 

Bevau-ac3  =  Sioux. 

Bewauacs  =  Sioux. 

Cliippewas  =  Sauteurs  =  Ojibbeways. 

Courterrielles  =  Ottawas. 

Cynagos  =:  Sinagoux. 

Dacotalia  =  Sioux. 

Folks  Avoines  =  Menomonees. 

Foxes  =  Reynard  =  Outagamies. 

Gens  de  Feu  :=  Mascontina. 

Howahs  =  The  Sioux  name  for  lowa.'j. 

Hutauke  =  Sioux  name  for  Winnebagoes. 

Hurona  =  Wyandotts. 

Illinoia. 

lowas. 

Isle  cuz  Noix  =  lUinois. 


ri 


72 


nr STORY  CF  w/scoKsm. 


Keinouchcs. 

Kickapoos. 

Kiskakons. 

Kitchigainick. 

Mascontins  =  Gens  de  Feu. 

Makou. 

Makoueone. 

Mdramog. 

Jlenomonees. 

Miainis. 

Mikissoiia. 

Miisquakies  =  Outagamies  =  Foxes. 

Nadowessi  =  Sioux,  their  Chippewa  name. 

Noqucts. 

Ojibbcways  :=  Chippewas. 

Oneidas. 

Ontehibouse  =  Chippewas. 

Osaukies  =  Sauks  =  Sacs. 

Othun-gu-rahs  =  Wiunebagoes  in  llieiv  own  language. 

Ottawas. 

Outagamies=  Foxes. 

Pottawattomips. 

Puans  or  Puants  =  AVinnebagoes  of  Green  Bay. 

Reynards  =  Foxes. 

Sakis  =  Sauks. 

Sauks. 

Sauters  =  Cliippewas. 

Sinagoux. 

Sioux. 

Stockbridgps. 

Tawas  =  Ottawas. 

Winnebagoes. 

Wyandotts  =  Ilurons. 


By  reference  to  the  above  list,  the  reader  will  be  enabled  to 
trace  the  connection  between  some  of  the  half  meaningless 
Indian  names  used,  and  the  nations  or  tribes  to  wliich  they 
belong.  We  can  only  mention,  however,  the  names  of  those 
tribes,  or  families,  over  again,  giving  the  dates  at  which  they 
occupied  certain  lands. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  last  century,  says  Dr.  Lapham,  the 
Chippewas  numbered  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  warriors  at 
Chegoimegon  Point,  Lake  Superior  ;  the  Menomonees,  at  the 
north  of  Lake  Michigan,  one  hundred  and  sixty;  the  Sioux,  at 


74 


HISTORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


the  head  of  lake  Superior,  three  hnmlrcd  ;  the  Pottawattomlea, 
at  tlie  outlet  of  Greon  Bay,  twcntj- ;  the  Sauks,  at  the  head  of 
Green  Bay,  one  hundred  and  fifty  ;  the  Foxes,  on  the  river  that 
Btill  bears  their  name,  one  hundred;  the  Kickapoos,  about 
eighty;  and  the  Mascontins,  about  sixty  men  capable  of  bear- 
ing arma.  The  whole  Indian  population  within  the  district 
under  consideration  was  then  estimated  at  about  fifteen  thou- 
sand souls. 

Three  tribes  are  known  to  /.  ve,  at  one  time,  resided  at  or 
near  Milwaukee ;  viz.,  the  IMcnomonees,  the  Pottawattomies,  and 
the  Ottawas.  The  first-named  occupied  the  lakc-siiore  to  the 
northward ;  the  second  and  last,  the  country  to  the  southward. 
The  Ottawas  were  residing  near  where  Milwaukee  now  stands 
as  early  as  17G2, 

When  Jonathan  Carver  made  his  journey  through  Wisconsin, 
he  found  the  Menomonees  occupying  the  western  border  of 
Green  Bay;  the  Winnebagoes,  on  the  Upper  Fox  River;  the 
Sauks  and  Foxes,  on  the  Wisconsin ;  and  the  Mascontins  were 
believed  to  have  possession  of  the  southern  and  interior  portions 
of  the  State.  "  Were  we  .able,"  says  Dr.  Lapham,  "  to  trace 
accurately  the  history  of  the  Indian  nations,  we  should  find, 
upon  a  small  scale,  a  counterpart  of  the  vritten  history  of  the 
Caucasian  race.  One,  by  fortunate  location,  good  government, 
and  peaceful  habits,  becomes  prosperous,  and  therefore  ambi- 
tious :  without  international  law,  and  with  no  respect  for  the 
rights  of  others,  they  crowd  upon  and  soon  displace  their  less 
fortunate  neighbors.  These  are  hence  compelled  to  encroach 
upon  the  hunting-grounds  of  other  tribes  ;  and  in  tliis  way  the 
map  of  North  America,  like  that  of  Europe,  required  adjust- 
ment from  time  to  time.  Thus  the,  names  of  places,  of  rivers 
and  lakes,  handed  down  to  us,  may  be  those  given  by  tribes 
long  since  driven  from  their  vicinity  ;  and  we  may,  perhaps, 
understand  why,  in  all  the  modern  Indian  languages,  we  can 
find  no  explanation  of  the  origin  of  the  name  of  our  State. 
They  must  be  names  applied  by  some  tribe  now  extinct,  or  to  be 
found  in  some  far  distant  country." 

The  Indian  tribes  of  Wisconsin  may  be  classed  under  two 
great  national  names ;  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  tribes 
we  have  named  as  residing  within  the  boundaries  of  the  State 


nrsTORY  OF  jviscONsr.v. 


75 


constituted  Lnt  a   small   fraction    of    thcso    nations.     These 
nations  are  tlic  Algouquins,  or  Alf^onkins,  and  the  Dacotas. 

In  1821,  and  evun  later,  Wisconsin,  and  a  portion  of  Illinois, 
were  inhabited,  for  the  most  part,  only  by  Indians.  "  On  the 
occasion  of  a  treaty  held  at  Chicago  in  1821,  they  assembled 
from  all  quarters  to  the  number  of  three  thousand  souls. 
Stragj^ling  ])artie3  were  seen  everywhere,  proceeding  to  the 
appointed  place,  usually  on  horaebaok,  and  decorated,  according 
to  the  Indian  taste,  with  medals,  silver  bands,  and  featiicrs." 
Schoolciaft  tells  us.  tliat  "  the  gaudy  and  showy  dresses  of  tlieso 
troops  of  Indians,  with  the  jingling  caused  by  the  striking  of 
their  ornaments,  and  their  spirited  manner  of  riding,  created  a 
scene  as  novel  as  it  was  interesting.  Proceeding  from  ill  parta 
of  n  verj'  extensive  circle  of  country,  like  rays  converging  to 
a  focus,  tlie  nearer  we  approiichcd,  the  more  compact  ami  con- 
centrated the  body  became  ;  and  we  found  our  cavalcade  rapid- 
ly augmented,  and  consequently  the  dust,  confusion,  and  noise 
increased  at  every  b}'-path  which  intercepted  our  way." 

But  wo  have  no  space  for  the  long  and  interesting  chapters 
that  might  be  compiled  on  the  manners  ;ind  customs  of  the 
Wiscon-iin  Indians,  and  must,  therefore,  confine  ourselves  to  a 
brief  mention  of  the  important  events  in  the  history  of  the 
several  tribes,  their  migrations,  and  their  final  disappearance. 
For  our  materials  in  this  particular,  we  are  indebted  to  a  pam- 
phlet edited  by  I.  A.  Lapham,  Levi  Blossom,  and  George  G. 
Dousman,  now  among  the  Collections  of  the  Wisconsin  His- 
torical Society.  Indeed,  we  shall  take  the  liberty  of  quoting 
from  said  pamphlet,  as  the  following  paragraphs  cannot  easily 
be  improved  upon,  for  the  purposes  which  they  will  serve  in 
thia  chapter. 

"The  Mascontins,  as  before  remavkeil,  early  disappeared.  Their  record  is 
fully  made  up  ;  their  decUiio  and  fall  is  complete  :  but  what  has  become  of 
them  —  whether  removed  to  some  distant  part  of  tiie  country,  amalgamated 
with  some  other  tribe,  or  destroyed  by  poverty  and  disease  —  wo  are  not  per- 
mitted to  know.  Alas!  the  destiny  of  the  Miucontiu  is  the  destiny  of  the 
red  man. 

"  The  Kickapoos  were  removed  at  an  early  date,  west  of  the  Jlississippi 
River  ;  and  then-  name  does  not  appear  among  those  tribes  that  disposed  of 
their  lands  to  our  government. 

"  The  Siiuks  and  Foxes  appear  at  one  time  to  have  joined  the  Sioux  iu 


76 


nisTonr  of  wiftcoNs/x. 


thoir  pfFort  tn  mnintain  a  fnotint  upon  tho  oast  bank  of  the  Mississippi, 
against  tin;  Cliippowas.  In  ITiili  tlmy  woni  upon  thn  Tpprr  Wisconsin, 
occupyiMOf  the  country  from  (Jrcon  Uiy  t >  Lac  <h  Flam'irau,  and  nvon  to 
Lake  .Superior  ami  Upper  Mississippi,  givinof  tlioir  name  (Sank)  to  a  river 
and  rapids  in  Minnesota.  From  tliis  position,  wliicli  they  occupied  but  a 
short  time,  tliey  were  driven  b.vek  by  tho  Cliippowas,  under  tlio  leadership 
of  their  famous  elii'f,  Wali-l)no-jeo!»  (Whit^  Fisher),  who  died  at  Clicp[oime- 
ffrm  in  1703.  The  decisive  battle  was  fou.^ht  at  the  Falls  of  tiio  St.  Croix. 
They  wore  thus  forced  to  tho  Lower  Uock  llivcr,  beyond  our  border  ; 
and  they  do  not  appear  as  claiming  any  share  of  Wisconsin  in  the  general 
apportionment  among  tho  Iiidi.'vn  tribes  at  Prairio  du  Chion,  in  1825. 

"The  Winncbagoes  are  supposed  to  bo  an  offslioot  of  tho  great  .Sioux 
nation  ;  they  liave  figured  l.irgejy  in  the  Indian  history  of  Wisconsin.  They 
■were  but  a  sm.all  tribe  when  first  encountered  by  tho  French  on  tho  shores 
of  Green  Hay,  and  named  by  them  Pii.ans  (.Stinks),  on  account  of  their  filthy 
habits.  Tliey  afterwards  became  a  very  bold  and  warlike  tribe.  They 
joined  Ponti.ic  in  his  effort  to  eradicate  British  rulo  in  tho  North-west,  in 
17C'),  and  afterwards  fought  witli  tho  British  ag.ainst  us  (tho  Americans) 
in  1812.  In  1837  they  sold  their  lands  in  Wisconsin  to  tho  government, 
and  were  removed,  in  the  spring  of  1819,  to  their  '  reservation  '  at  the  West, 
where  it  is  supposed  they  are  to  remain  permanently. 

"  The  Sioux  struggled  manfully  for  their  ancient  hunting-gi'o  .mds  on  the 
St.  Croix  River,  and  only  relinquished  them  in  1837  to  tlio  I'/iited  States 
Government  by  treaty.  The  Cliippowas  on  tho  north,  and  thu  Winnebagoes 
on  tho  south,  h.ad  already  crowded  them  into  a  very  n.arrow  sp.acc  along  the 
cast  bank  of  tho  Mississippi,  between  Prairia  du  Ciiicn  and  Lake  St.  Croix. 
It  i.s  supposed  that  they  extended  much  farther  eastw.ird,  along  the  southern 
borders  of  Lake  Superior,  whence  they  were  driven  by  the  C'hippewas, 
who  were  themselves  crowded  by  otiier  still  more  eastern  tribes.  Their 
very  name,  iu  tho  langiuago  of  the  Cliippowas  (Xada  wessy),  signifies  an 
enemy;  and  these  two  tribes,  like  British  and  French,  were  always  at  war. 

"  The  Cliippowas  h.avo  persistently  maintained  their  position  on  the 
south  shore  of  Lake  Siiporiov,  stretcliing,  in  1832,  to  the  head  waters  of 
Chippewa  and  Wisconsin  Rivers.     At  this  time  they  numbered  2,820. 

"  Among  them  were  thirty-five  trading-posts,  visited  annually  by  traders 
licensed  under  the  Act  of  Congress  of  May  20,  1821.  Tho  Chippewas  sold 
their  Land  to  the  government  in  1837  and  1812,  except  a  small  reservation 
near  tho  mouth  of  Bad  River,  on  Lake  Superior,  which  is  still  occupied  by 
them,  though  the  great  body  of  tlie  tribe  have  been  removed  to  Minnesota. 

"  From  tho  Report  of  tho  Commissioners  of  Indian  Affairs  from  1850, 
we  le.arn  that  the  Chippcw.as  of  Lake  Superior,  including  tho  b.and  on  Bad 
River,  in  the  northern  part  of  Wisconsin,  have  been  furnished  with  a  liberal 
supply  of  f.arming-iinplcmonts,  carpenter's  tools,  household  furniture,  and 
cooking- utensils;  and  every  Indian  Ii.iving  a  house,  and  residing  in  it,  has 
been  supplied  witli  a  good  cooking-stove  and  the  usual  cooking  utensils,  a 
table,  a  bureau,  chairs,  bedstead,  looking-glass,  and  many  small  articles  for 


II f STORY  OF   W/SCONSltr. 


77 


household  use.  Thn  effect  of  this  policy  is  quite  perceptible  nnd  snlutiiry, 
and  has  stiniiilutcil  many  to  cnct,  niid  provide  for  Bi-ectiiiff,  new  iiount'S  ut 
Bad  Uivor  and  .s<;veral  otiier  places.  This  is  evidontly  a  move  in  the  right 
direction,  and  one  that  mig;ht  have  been  adopted  with  advantage  at  an 
earlier  date. 

"  Tiiu  Monoraoneos,  or  Wild  Ilice  Eaters,  appear  to  have  been  a  quiet, 
peace-lovinij  people,  usually  ranked  above  the  average  of  Indian  tribes  ia 
personal  ai)pearancn  and  intellectual  qualities.  Tor  a  long  time  the  Milwau- 
kee! River  W.1S  the  boundary  separating  them  from  the  Pottawattomies  at  the 
south.  Tomah  appears  to  have  been,  in  fonnc^r  times,  a  good  nnd  great 
chief  among  them,  advising  always  against  war  and  all  other  kinds  of  wick- 
edness, lie  has  been  very  properly  remembered  in  the  namo  of  one  of  our 
flourishing  towns. 

"  In  1813  the  Monomonees  ceded  their  entire  country  in  this  State  to  the 
General  Government,  and  were  to  bo  removed  to  Minnesota;  but,  the  district 
assigned  them  not  being  found  suitable  to  their  wants,  they  wore,  with 
the  consent  of  the  Wisconsin  legislature,  allowed  to  remain  upon  u  small 
reservation  (270,180  acres)  on  the  Wolf  Uivor.  In  1H32  tliey  were  removed 
to  this  reservation,  which  it  is  expected  will  remain  tlieir  permanent  homo 
80  long  as  they  shall  maintain  their  organization  as  n  distinct  tribo. 

"  In  August,  1853,  Oshkosh,  the  renowned  chief  of  tliis  tribe,  whose 
name  is  very  properly  perpetuated  in  the  beautiful  city  on  the  shores  of 
Lake  Winnebago,  represented  to  the  government  that  his  tribe  had  never 
been  so  poor  and  destitute  of  provisions,  having  fallen  almost  to  a  condition 
of  starvation.  About  half  of  the  tribe  were  devoted  to  a.;^ricuUurc  :  the 
remainder  still  adhered  to  the  roving  life  of  the  hunter.  1'ho  government 
aid  extended  to  this  tribe  as  a  compensation  for  their  lands  appears  to  have 
been  administered  with  very  little  care  and  judgment.  ^Irs.  Uousman  and 
her  daughter  resided  upon  the  reserve;  the  latter  as  a  teacher,  occupying 
temporary  buildings,  entirely  unfit  for  the  purposes  for  which  they  were 
used. 

"  The  Pottawattomies  were  one  of  the  largest  and  most  powerful  of  the 
Indian  tribes.  They  were  represented,  in  1821,  as  thinly  scattered  in  tents 
over  a  very  great  extent  of  country,  stretching,  on  the  south,  along  both  sides 
of  the  Illinois  River,  on  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  'to  the 
Menomonecs  of  Millewacky,  and  to  the  Winnebagoes  of  (.iieeu  IJay  ; '  on 
the  east,  beyond  the  St.  Joseph  to  the  headwaters  of  th ;  Maumee  and  the 
Waba.sh;  and  towards  the  west  their  territories  extended  *o  Rock  River, 
(ind  to  tlie  lands  of  the  Sauks  and  Foxes  on  the  Jlississippi.  At  the  treaty 
held  in  Chicago  in  1833,  they  relinquished  to  the  government  all  their  Lands 
in  this  State  south  and  west  of  the  Milwaukee  River,  which  then  became 
public  land,  and  wivs  open  for  settlement  and  improvement  by  white  people. 

"  In  1853  the  remnant  still  rem.aiuing  of  tliis  once  powortul  tribe  were 
removed  to  their  '  permanent  homes  '  west  of  the  Upp'-r  Mississippi. 

"  The  Ottawas  appear  to  have  been  intimately  associated  with  the  Potta- 
wattomies: they  joined  in  relinquishing  the  lauds  south  and  west  of  Milwau- 


78 


HISTORY  OF   \VISCOSr,[N. 


kce.  Their  proper  home  seems  to  i.  ive  been  upon  the  cast  of  Luke  Jlichigan. 
Oil  C'h;ir'oviiix'  map,  tlie  Chippewai.  are  set  down  us  Ottawus. 
'  " 'I'hu  I'rotlicitowiiS  were  rcniovi  d  to  (he  cast  bank  of  Lake  Wuinebago 
f.'om  t!iC  iStata  of  'Saw  York.  They  liavc  n.'lhiqiiishcd  their  tribal  orL,'unizu- 
tion,  ai;d  iuivt-  been  uJ^>nt..'()  ^Ylth  fidl  privileges,  as  citizens  of  the  United 
States. 

"  The  Stockbriilgos  weio  also  removed  to  the  east  banks  of  Lake  Win- 
nebago, from  ;hc  State  uf  New  York.  They  were  but  few  in  number,  iiuu 
made  some  coiisiderable  advance  in  civiliz.ition,  the  arts,  kc.\  and  iii  IS.JG, 
after  some  dillieulli.'s  uilh  the  government,  they  .vere  induced  to  reiuovG 
to  a,  truet  of  luiul  .adj'jiiiing  lii "  AI  'nonionee  resci-vution  on  AVolf  Uiver. 

"  Tlio  Oncidua,  a  mere  remnant  of  a  once  important  tribe,  were  removed 
to  a  ri'sorvatioi,  near  Green  Bay,  from  the  State  of  Xew  Y'ork.  They  still 
retain  their  Indian  or;.5u;'.izn vion  asul  government  distinct  from  that  of  tho 
Stute;  have  miaie  considerable  advances  in  the  right  direction.  Their  patches 
of  cu'l'iv.'i'  '.  l.ii.a  have  bee  •m  !':irms;  their  log-huts  have  been  replaced  by 
good  iubstant'al  buildings,  iUK;  t.iey  have  blacksmiths,  carpenters,  &c., 
from  among  ih'.ir  own  peof-lc. 

•'It  8t  .Pi't  pioper  hert;,  ir,  say  a,  few  words  of  the  action  of  our  Xation.'d 
ar  I  Statj  luverumont  -ith  reference  to  tha  Indian.  I'efore  the  law,  an 
hidian  is  regaruel  as  ui  .ilicn,  and  treated  as  such.  Indians  not  taxed  are 
not  eniinieratad,  and  iiioiucl"d  as  a  p.art  of  (he  population,  as  a  basis  of 
repres'.'ntation  in  th(!  t'on.rress  of  tlio  Unitc'd  States. 

"The  celebrated  ordin.incr  for  tan  government  of  the  territory  of  tho 
United  Statps  norlh-wef*;  of  ti.  ■  Ohio  liiver.  adopted  in  Congress  in  July, 
1787,  provided,  that  'the  nt:  i';il  good  faitii  .-hail  always  bo  observed 
towards  the  Indians:  ilieir  landj  and  jiroperty  shall  never  bo  taken  from 
them  witl'.out  their  consent;  and  in  th'.'ir  prop.'rty,  riglits,  and  liberly,  they 
never  shall  be  invaded  or  disturbed,  unless  in  just  and  luufid  wars, 
authorized  by  Congress.  lUit  laws  fcnuided  in  justice  and  humanity  shall 
from  time  to  time  be  made  for  preventing  wrongs  being  done  to  them,  and 
for  preserving  peace  and  f.iendship  among  tln'n:..' 

"  This  eminently  just  and  humane  jiollcy  has  ever  been  lield  in  view  by 
our  government;  and,  liad  the  Indian  department  been  a  little  more  fortu- 
nate in  inevonting  individuals  from  conmiitLing  some  of  tho  most  flagrant 
wrongs  to  these  '  nations,'  all  would  have  been  well,  and  the  Indians  of  to- 
day would  not  have  been  tho  degruded  beings  we  now,  unhappily,  see  about 
us. 

"  By  tho  statute  law  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin  of  1830,  it  was  made  a 
punishable  offence  to  furnish  spirituous  li(piors  to  the  Indians.  As  a  sainplo 
of  /offl/ legislation  so  common  in  this  State,  we  may  cite  the  law  of  January, 
1810,  in  whicli  it  was  gravely  enacted  that  it  should  be  unluwfid  lokeepiciVAm 
fii-e  iv'dcH  of  l/ic  iiiDUth  af  U'li'J  Hirer,  in  Brown  County,  any  inloxieating  li.|Uors 
for  tlie  piUi  ise  of  supplying  tlii  Indians.  To  show  that  our  law-makers 
were  entirely  in  earnest  in  the  in.dter,  it  was  further  enacted,  yi'ce  ijears 
vjlerwards,  that   the   offender   mighi,   bo   ii.Jietcd  j  and  it  was  made  the 


HON.  JEROME  I.  CASE 


80 


nisTonr  of  wiscoxsin. 


imperative  duty  of  tlio  courts  to  give  tha  matter  specially  in  charge  of  the 
gi'auJ  jury.  Still,  Indians  would  get  drunk  ;  the  temptation  of  \Yhito 
men  to  sell  whiskey  to  tlicni  being  too  strong  to  be  thus  easily  overcome. 

"  The  constitution  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  adopted  in  1818,  recognized 
the  rigiits  of  Indians  who  had  once  been  declared  by  law  of  Congress  to  bo 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  of  civilized  Indians  not  members  of  any 
tribe  or  '  nation,'  to  vote  at  all  elections  Tlie  property  of  Indians  waa 
exempted  from  taxation  ;  and  tlify  wore  arkivrcd  the  jirivilogQ  of  suing  and 
being  sued,  with  the  same  judicial  riglits  a.?  other  inhabitants." 

We  are  not  iireparecl  to  follow  the  gentlemen  named  in  our 
quotation,  through  their  critiei.sm  of  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment in  its  relations  with  the  Indian  tribes.  It  is  certain,  that 
if  the  government  could  have  had  any  valuable  precedents, 
either  in  history  or  in  contemporary  governments,  from  which 
a  wiser  policy  than  that  pursued  might  have  been  drawn,  the 
results  would  liave  boon  more  salutary  to  the  interests  of  the 
natives,  as  well  as  a  lighter  burden  upon  national  blood  and 
treasure.  That  the  Indians  as  nations  have  been  shamefully 
treated  is  an  unwelcome  truth.  The  solemn  engagements 
into  which  they  have  entered  with  their  Great  Fatlier  have, 
for  the  most  i)art,  received  greater  respect  and  compliance  from 
the  Indians,  who  were  generally  forced  to  make  them,  than  from 
the  government,  wliich,  in  nearly  every  case,  dictated  its  own 
terms.  And  yet,  alter  all,  it  seems  to  ^<;xve  iieon  within  the 
scope  of  a  divine  jirovidonce  that  tlu  aborigines  of  North 
America  should  vanish  l)efore  <ivilization.  Nor  does  the 
writer  believe  that  any  policy  of  the  United  States  Government, 
no  matter  how  deeply  fraught  with  forces  calculated  to  foster 
and  j)erpetiuite  this  dying  race,  could  have  saved  them  from 
the  extermination  which  they  liave  already  suffered.  It  is, 
however,  u  stigma  upon  our  national  lionor,  that  the  decline 
and  rapid  disappearance  of  the  nativea  ia  so  heavily  freiglited 
with  unnecessary  cruelty. 


We  ma)-  properly  close  this  chapter  with  the  following  list' 
of  Indian  treaties,  all  of  which  have  to  do,  either  directly  or 
indirectly,  with  the  relinciuishment  of  the  territory  now  in- 
cluded Avithin  the  boundaries  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin. 

■  V\'a  are  ijulvbted  tc  the  Cullectiou'j  of  the  Wisconsin  Uistoriual  Society  foi 
this  Ust. 


HISTORY  OF  wrscoNsnf. 


81 


1804,  Nov.  3,  at  St.  Louis,  between  Gov.  William  H.  Harri- 
son, and  the  Sauks  and  Foxes,  at  which  Southern  Wisconsin 
was  purchased. 

181G,  May  18,  at  St.  Louis,  confirming  that  of  Nov.  3,  1804, 
with  a  portion  of  the  Winnebago  tribe,  residing  on  the  Wis- 
consin River. 

1816,  Aug.  24,  at  St.  Louis,  with  Ottawas,  Chippewas,  and 
Pottawattomies  residing  on  the  Illinois  and  Milwaukee  Rivers, 
&c.  Lands  relinquished  to  the  Indians,  except  nine  miles 
square,  at  Prairie  du  Chien. 

1817,  March  30,  at  St.  Louis,  with  the  Menomonees.  A 
treaty  of  peace,  friendship,  &c. 

1821,  the  Oneida  and  Stockln-idge  Indians  settled  near  Green 
Bay. 

1822,  Sept.  3,  at  Fort  Armstrong,  with  the  Sauk  and  Fox 
tribes. 

1825,  Aug.  1  and  19,  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  with  Sioux  ancB 
Chippewas,  Sauks  and  Foxes,  Winnebagoes,  Ottawas,  Pottawat.- 
tomies,  &c.  Boundary  between  Sioux  and  Chippewas  agreed' 
upon ;  also  between  the  Chippewas,  and  between  the  Winne- 
bagoes and  other  tribes. 

1826,  Aug.  5,  at  Fond  du  Lac,  with  the  Chippewas,  who 
assent  to  the  boundarie.s  agreed  upon  at  Prairie  du  Chien. 

1827,  Aug.  11,  at  Butte  des  Morts,  with  the  Menomonees, 
in  wliich  they  relinquish  their  right  to  a  tract  of  land  near 
Green  Bay. 

1828,  at  Green  Bay.     Purchase  of  the  lead-mine  region. 
1820,  July  29,  at  Prairie,  with  the  Winnebagoes.     Purchase 

of  the  lead-mine  region  confirmed. 

1831,  Feb.  8,  at  Washington,  with  the  Menomonees,  who' 
ceded  to  the  United  States  all  their  lamls  east  of  the  Milwaukee 
River,  Lake  Winnebago,  and  Green  Bay. 

1832,  Oct.  27,  with  the  iMenomonces.  Lands  purchased  for 
the  New  York  Indians. 

1833,  Sept.  26,  at  Chicago.  Lands  south  and  west  of  the 
Milwaukee  River  purchased  of  the  Chippewas,  Pottawattomies, 
and  Ottawas. 

ISr.ft  Sept.  3,  at  Green  Bay,  with  the  Menomonees.  Lands 
purchased  west  of  Green  Bay,  and  a  strip  on  the  Upper  Wis- 
consin River. 


«2 


niSTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


1837,  July  29,  at  Fort  Snellinrr,  by  Gov.  Dodge,  with  the 
Chippewas.  Lands  south  of  tlie  divide  between  the  waters  of 
Lake   Superior    and  those  of    the    Mississippi    ceded  to    the 


government. 


1837,  Sept.  29,  with  the  Sioux.  Lands  east  of  the  Missis- 
sippi ceded  to  the  government. 

1837,  Nov.  1,  with  the  Winnebagoes,  who  ceded  all  their 
lands  east  of  the  Mississippi  River  to  the  government. 

1842,  Oct.  4,  at  La  Pointe,  with  the  Chippewas.  Lands 
ceded,  &c. 

1848,  Oct.  18,  with  the  Menomonees,  who  ceded  all  their 
lands  in  Wisconsin. 

1848,  Nov.  24,  with  the  Stockbridges ;  purchase  of  their 
reservation  on  the  east  shore  of  Lake  Winnebago. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

EARLY  HISTORY  OF  •\\^SCONSIK. 

The  J'renoh  in  America  —  The  Fur  Trade  —  Jesuit  Missionavies  —  Jean  Nicollet 
— Green  Day— lis  Early  History  —  Labors  of  Fatlier  Alloucz,  Dablon, 
An/.rd,  Marquct.'i!,  and  Others  — La  Salle,  &c. 

The  territoiy  now  embraced  within  the  limits  of  the 
Stite  of  Wisconsin  Avas,  according  to  the  best  autliority,  first 
visited  by  Europeans  in  1G39,  nineteen  years  after  the  Puritans 
arrived  in  "  The  Mayflower  "  on  the  shores  of  Massaclmsetts. 
Charles  I.  wa;  then  king  of  England,  and  was  engaged  in  his 
war  against  Scotland  ;  and  at  the  same  time  Louis  XIII,  was 
king  of  France,  having  nearly  closed  his  reign.  Europe  was 
in  great  commotion.  The  French  Government  luul  already 
manifested  a  disposition  to  extend  her  territory  in  America  by 
conquests,  and,  as  early  as  1604,  had  colonized  Acadia.  In 
1608  Quebec  was  founded ;  and  in  lGG-5  Canada,  or  New  France, 
was  made  a  roval  colony. 

The  reports  circulated  in  France  concerning  the  advantages 
of  the  fur-trade  with  the  Indians  were  such  as  to  induce  many 
of  the  nobility  and  gentry  of  that  nation  to  invest  their  for- 
tunes in  the  New  World.  With  this  patronage,  and  the  con- 
stantly increasing  number  of  colonists,  New  France  grew  rap- 
idly in  commerce,  extending  its  nominal  dominion  far  towards 
the  Great  Lakes. 

Hand  in  liand  with  the  traders  came  t!ie  Jesuit  fathers,  ever 
anxious  to  carry  the  news  of  the  goipel  to  the  native  trihes  of 
the  North-west.  As  earl\'  as  IGGO  thoy  established  a  mission 
on  the  south  side  of  the  western  extremity  of  Lake  Superior, 
at  a  place  called,  in  the  Indian  tongue,  Che-go-ime-gon  ;  and  iu 
IGG'J  Father  AUouez,  whose  name  is  deservedly  identified  with 

83 


84 


iffSTonr  OF  wrscoxfnv. 


1639. 


the  early  history  of  the  lake  country,  organized  a  mission  at 
Green  Bay. 

A  Frenchman  named  Jean  Nicollet  is  supposed  or  believed 
toluvveheen  tlic  first  white  person  who  visited  the  territory  now 
called  Wisconsin.  In  1G39  this  cnterprisinij  explorer  visited 
Green  J?ay,  and  concluded  a  peace  with  the  Indians 
then  residing  there,  in  the  interests  of  the  j^overnment 
of  New  France.  In  the  same  year  he  asc(  iided  the  Fox  River 
to  the  portage.  Crossing  this,  lie  embarked  on  tlie  Wisconsin 
River,  and  explored  that  stream  within  a  few  days'  sail  of  the 
Mississippi.  In  1G42  this  faithful  French  explorer  lost  his  life 
while  on  a  benevolent  mission  to  rescue  a  poor  Al>enaqui  from 
the  Algonquins.  He  servrd  a  valuable  part  on  the  early  stage 
of  action  in  this  region,  t  only  in  reporting  the  favorable 
condition  of  the  country  tc  his  countrymen,  but  in  furnishing 
information  in  regard  to  tlie  names  and  situations  of  the  native 
tril)es,  which  formed  the  basis  of  subsequent  explorations. 

From  this  time,  lG-59  to  1673,  we  have  but  little  to  record 
that  transpired  i.i  Wi.-.conin.  Now  and  then  a  zealous  mis- 
sionary endangf  red  or  lost  his  life  by  penetrating  the  country; 
and,  pcrchancf ,  an  occasional  fur-trader  was  seen  among  the 
natives  at  Gnen  Bay.  But  aside  from  this,  and  the  constantly 
recurring  cot, diets  between  the  Indian  nations,  there  is  nothing 
authentic  tiiat  can  be  ]irosented  in  these  pages;  and  even 
accounts  of  t  "ese  come  to  us  on  the  winds  of  uncertain  tradi- 
tion. However,  there  is  now  and  tlien  a  raj'  of  light  from  this 
earlv  chaotic  period.  In  tG54  Father  Men  ier  visited  tiie 
Indians  at  (jnen  Bay,  and  remarks  eoncernin';-  them,  to  his 
superior  at  Quebec,  that,  "at  the  i  lands  of  the  lake  of  the 
peo[)lc  of  the  sea  known  as  '  Sliidcards,'  there  are  many  tribes, 
whose  language  closely  resembles  the  Algonquins,  and  that 
they  arc  only  nine  days'  journey  fiom  the  Great  Lake;  and 
that,  if  the  government  would  M'ud  thirt\  Frenchmen  into  that 
country,  not  only  W(uild  ihey  jjain  many  souls  to  God,  ])ut 
wonUl  receive  a  i>rotit  abov(>  the  expenses  incurred." 

.\  little  la'cr,  in  IG')."),  Jeai  do  (Juens,  a  missionary,  writes 
concerning  the  same  place  (Green  Bay),  saying  that  the 
iiiUions  located  there  were  very  large  and  powerful.  One 
of  them,  according  to  this  authority,  nund)erud  sixty  villages, 


m 


H 


86 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


another  forty,  and  anotlier  thirty.  Tlieso  Indians  were  then 
living  in  a  state  of  cuniiih^to  baibarit}-,  making  war  on  the 
nations,  or  tribes,  west  of  tliem ;  conducting  their  councils 
with  all  Iho  curious  ceremonits  and  formalities  peculiar  to  their 
ancient  traditions.  In  the  same  year,  fifty  canoes  of  these 
Indians  visited  Quebec  for  tlie  purpose  of  establishing  a  trade 
witii  the  French.  They  were  successful  in  tliis  mission,  as 
might  have  been  expected,  and  returned  with  thirty  Frencli 
traders  and  two  priests. 

In  1GG9  an  effort  was  put  forth  to  found  a  mission  at  Green 
Bay  ;  and,  on  the  od  of  November,  Father  Claudius  Allouez 
left  Sault  Ste.  Mario  to  execute  this  purpose,  accom[)anied  bj' 
two  Frenchmen  and  two  canoes  of  Pottawattomie  Indians. 
After  a  journey  fraught  Avilli  much  of  hardship  and  danger, 
the  venerable  Jesuit  reached  the  end  of  his  journey,  and  spent 
the  winter  preaching  to  the  Pottawattoniies,  Menomonces,  Sacs, 
Foxes,  and  Winnebagoes,  whom  lie  found  mingled  tlicre.  He 
established  a  mission  on  the  Fox  River,  at  tin;  Rapids  des 
Peres.  He  said  his  fii'st  mass  Dee.  !>,  the  festival  of  St. 
Francis  Xavier,  and  called  the  mission  by  liis  name.  Allouez 
found  quite  a  respectable  number  of  Indians  at  tlio  rapids. 
They  comprised  four  nations,  nund)erlng,  in  all,  six  hundred 
souls.  These  Indians  were  living  in  a  siatc  of  progress,  prac- 
tising agricultui-al  industry,  raising  large  fields  of  corn,  beans, 
toliacco,  &c.  The  surroundiiig  forests  v.crc  a'ivo  with  excel- 
lent game,  and  we  may  infer  that  these  Indians  were,  in  many 
re-pects,  peculiarly  blessed. 

In  September,  1GG9,  Allouez  was  joined  l)y  Father  Marquette, 
whose  name  will  ever  justly  live  in  the  names  of  streams, 
counties,  towns,  and  cities  in  the  North-west,  as  a  tribute  to 
his  lieroic  services  as  an  explorer,  and  missionary  among  the 
Indians.  This  pious  father,  in  company  willi  Claude  Dablon, 
had,  ill  1GG7,  visited  the  Cliippewas  at  the  Sault,  and  established 
the  mission  of  Ste.  Mary's,  the  oldest  settlement  begun  by 
Europeans  within  the  liounds  of  the  State  of  Michigan.  And 
now,  two  years  later,  filled  with  a  spirit  of  enterprise  and 
duty,  wrought  up  to  impatience  by  the  highly-eolored  repre- 
sentations of  the  savages,  he  determined  to  reach  the  Father  of 
Waters.     But  he    was   frustrated   m   his   designs   until  1G73, 


nisTontr  OF  wi scon  am. 


87 


1763. 


owing  partly  to  the  want  of  patronage  from  tlio  French  colo- 
nial government,  which  was  withheld  only  because  of  its  own 
feeble  condition,  and  partly  to  the  many  unfavorable  circum- 
stances arising  from  the  ever-recurring  difficulties  with  the 
Indians.  IJut  in  this  year  the  venerable  father,  accompanied 
by  Joliet  and  five  other  Frenchmen,  embarked  in 
two  fi'ail  uavk  canoes,  arriving  at  Green  Bay  in 
June.  This  party,  with  two  Indian  guides,  passed  up  the  Fox 
River  to  the  portage,  and  crossed  over  to  the  Wisconsin,  and 
slowly  sailed  down  its  current,  amid  its  vine-covered  isles, 
encountering,  of  course,  its  countless  sandbars.  No  sound, 
save  tiie  songs  of  the  wild  birds,  broke  the  wearisome  stillness; 
no  human  form,  civilized  or  savage,  appeared :  but  at  length, 
after  a  voyage  of  seven  days,  and  on  the  17th  of  June,  they 
floated  out  into  the  majestic  current  of  the  great  river.  After 
an  absence  of  four  months,  Marquette  returned  to  Green  Bay, 
by  way  of  Lake  Michigan,  having  travelled  about  2,549  miles. 
From  this  date  until  the  war  between  the  Sacs  and  Foxes, 
which  extended  over  the  first  quarter  of  the  eighteenth  centu- 
ry, we  have  but  little  of  importance  in  the  history  of  Wiscon- 
sin. Yet  there  are  a  few  incidents  in  the  cluiin  of  events 
worthy  of  mention  here,  if  for  nothing  else  than  to  complete 
the  record.  Th(!se  things  are,  for  the  most  part,  of  no  very 
great  importance.  The  missionary  work  among  the  native 
tribes  went  steadily  on.  In  this  year  the  Indians  of  Green 
Bay  were  under  the  excellent  ministration  of  Fathers 
AUouez  and  Andre.  They  had  many  souls  for  their 
hire  ;  an<l  the  enthusiasm  and  zeal  which  characterized  their 
labors  come  up  to  us  from  those  early  days  like  the  deeds  of 
divinely -inspired  pro])hets.  AUouez,  leaving  Andre  to  conduct 
the  routine  of  worship  at  the  regular  mission  at  the  Bay, 
pushed  out  to  the  ntighboring  tribes  in  the  surrounding  forests. 
In  its  immediate  results,  tlicir  work  was  successful.  Two  years 
later,  when  Marquette  ])assed  through  the  country  on  his  mem- 
orable voyage  of  discovery,  of  which  we  have  already  spoken, 
they  had  baptizctt  over  two  thousand  souls ;  nor  did  their 
work  cease  here.  .\o  ob.'-tacle,  no  discouragement,  turned  them 
a.side.  The  missions  went  steadily  on  ;  and  in  this 
year,  notwithstanding   that  Father  Andre's  house  at 


1671. 


1674. 


88 


msTonr  of  wrscossrfr. 


1675. 


Green  Bay  had  been  tlcsUdycJ  by  fire,  lie  roiilhmeil  his  Cliris- 
tiaii  work  with  undiiniiiishL'd  zoid.  His  little  church  of  live 
hundred  native  converts  wiis  quite  prosperous  in  good  words 
and  works.  Living,  for  the  most  piirt,  in  his  canoe,  and  travel- 
ling in  sunshine  and  storm,  from  point  to  j)oiiit  in  his  wild  par- 
ish, he  continued  to  care  for  the  spiritual  needs  of  his  six  tribes, 
the  number  included  in  his  charge.  Allouez  continued  his 
work,  reaching  out  farther  and  farther,  jjlanting  mis- 
sions in  new  quarters,  and  rearing  the  cross  among  the 
wigwams  of  new  tribes,  disregarding  danger,  and  disobeying 
the  voice  of  obstacle.  This  year  is  memorable  on  account 
of  the  death  of  Fatiier  Marquette,  Avho  went  to  his  reward 
from  the  eastern  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  near  the  river  that 
now  bears  his  name.  He  lived  a  true  hero,  a  luimble  but  aggres- 
sive Christian  worker,  and  died  in  the  midst  of  his  good  deeds, 
in  a  rude  camp  in  the  wild  forest. 

In  the  same  year,  or  that  following,  the  venerable  Father 
iR7fi  Charles  Albancl  became  Superior  of  the  western 
missions,  and  took  up  his  post  at  Green  Bay,  where 
a  second  church  was  raised  near  the  ruins  of  that  occupied  by 
Father  Andre.  It  stood  near  the  Raj)ids  des  Peres.  This 
church  comes  up  in  the  memory  of  this,  as  it  will  to  that  of 
all  succeeding  generations,  as  a  monument  to  the  enterprise 
and  benevolence  of  Nicholas  Perrot,  well  known  as  an  early 
Western  explorer,  and  one  of  the  Western  traders  of  that  day, 
as  well  as  of  the  praiseworthy  zeal  of  Father  Albanel.  We 
should  observe,  in  this  connection,  that  Father  Allouez  was 
assigned  to  the  post  made  vacant  ]>y  the  death  of  Marquette. 
This  was  among  the  Illinois  Indians.  The  good  and  pious 
Father  Allouez  left  Green  Bay  for  this  centre  of  savage  tribes 
in  October,  107G. 

We  can  only  glance  at  the  great  work  of  La  Salle  in  this 
short  chapter.  This  celebrated  exi)lorer,  accompanied  by  Henry 
De  Tonty,  Father  Louis  Hennepin,  and  others,  made 
a  voyage  up  the  lakes  in  1G70,  in  "  The  Griffin,"  the 
first  vessel  built  above  the  Fiills  of  Niagara,  and  arrived  at 
Green  Bay  on  the  2d  of  Sejitember.  While  at  this  point,  La 
Salle  collected  a  load  of  furs,  and  sent  the  vessel  back  ;  but 
it  was  unfortunately  lost  in  a  storm  on  the  lakes.     La  Salle, 


1079. 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN.  "^ 

With  his  company  of  Bcventeen   n.en   ami   V^c^U^ni^u^^A 
their  route  bv  canocH  to  the  St.  Joseph  Il.ver,  ot  LAe  MiUu 
':    ;heu  they  entered  the  country  of  ti>e  M.an..    .md^on- 
tinned  tlieir  explorations  southward,  an  account  of  ^vhi.h  is 
foreign  to  tlic  subject  of  this  volume. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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CHAPTER  V. 


1680. 


EARLY  HISTORY  OP  WISCONSIN. 

Greia  Day  and  Prairio  lUi  Chieu — Early  .Testiit  Minslonarios  —  The  Fox,  Sauk, 
and  French  Wars  —  Growth  of  fho  French  Settlements  —  GrecD  Bay  ill  1745  — 
Eud  of  French  Dominion  —  Britisli  Snpreniacy. 

In  the  previous  chfipter,  the  incidents  considered,  in  so  far 
as  they  related  to  Wisconsin,  centred  round  Green  Hay ;  hut 
from  this  point,  nnd  for  a  considcrahlo  jieriod,  our  attention 
will  he  directed,  on  the  one  liaud,  to  that  po'at,  and,  on  the 
otlior,  to  Prairie  du  Chien.  From  this  date  to  the 
fonnation  of  the  Territorial  Government,  in  18o6,' 
hoth  civilized  and  savage  commerce  in  Wisconsin  was  con- 
fined, for  the  most  part,  to  these  points. 

Father  Louis  Hennepin,  who  accompanied  La  Salle  on  the 
expedition  mentioned  at  the  close  of  the  previous  chapter, 
parted  wiih  him  on  the  twcnty-nintli  day  of  Fchruary  in  this 
year,  and  made  a  journey  up  the  ^Mississippi,  and  was  the  first 
to  discover  tlie  falls,  which  he  named  the  "  Falls  of  St.  An- 
thony of  Padua."  After  a  scries  of  remarkable  adventures 
amonjT  the  Indian  trihes,  he  returned  to  Green  Bay  by  wa}'  of 
the  Wisconsin  and  Fox  Rivers.  At  the  latter  point  he  found 
Frenchmen  trading  without  a  license.  "  The  published  narra- 
tive of  his  journeys  is  full  of  contradictions  and  misrepresenta- 
tions ;  and,  wliile  his  account  of  Wisconsin  and  the  upper 
country  may  he  regarded  as  truthful,  a  large  part  of  liis  work 
cannot  he  depended  upon.''  During  tliis  year  tlie  mission  at 
Green  Bay  was  ahly  sustained  by  Father  Enjalrau ;  and  a 
remarkable  incident  in  the  history  of   the   place  during  the 

'  From  a  paper  by  Daniel  S.  Diiiile,  A.M.,  librarian  of  the  V.'isconsin  State 
Uintoi'ioal  Souiuty. 
tlO 


92 


msTonr  of  wrscorfsrif. 


1681-89. 


same  pcriwl   was  the   establishment  of  a  military  post  and 
garrison  by  De  Toiity. 

The  exact  time  at  which  a  mililaiy  post  was  established  at 
Prairie  du  Ciiien  has  been,  and  still  is,  the  subject  of 
much  speculation  ;  some  putting  it  as  late  as  1775, 
while  it  is  stated  in  a  report  of  a  committee  of  Congress  to 
have  occurred  in  1755,  wliich  was  the  year  following  the 
reconciliation  of  the  French,  and  Sauks  and  Foxes.  The  latter 
date  may  be  the  correct  one,  as  the  French  surrendered  Canada 
to  the  English  in  17G0  ;  but  it  is  very  evident  that  there  must 
have  been  a  post,  at  a  much  earlier  date,  upon  or  near  tiie  prairie. 
The  evidence  of  this  early  occupation  is  found  in  the  official 
document  of  the  tJildng  possession  of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  in 
the  name  of  the  French  king,  by  Nicholas  Perrot,  "  command- 
ing at  the  post  of  the  Nadoussioux,"  at  the  post  of  St.  An- 
thony, May  8,  1G89,  "  to  which  documents  among  the  names 
of  witnesses  was  Mons.  De  Borie-Guillot,  commanding  the 
French  in  the  neighborhood  of  Ouiskonche,  dii  the  Mississippi. 
No  more  suitable  place  could  have  been  selected  for  a  military 
post  than  Prairie  du  Chicn  ;  and,  from  all  tlie  information  thus 
far  obtained,  its  location  must  be  conceded  as  an  established 
fact.  Judge  George  Gale,  in  his  work  on  the  Ujipcr  Jlississippi, 
says,  We  may  safely  infer  that  tlie  country  about  Prairie  du 
Chien  was  occupied  as  a  French  poat  at  least  as  early  as  April 
20,  1G89,  and  possibly  the  previous  fall.'  " 

In  the  year  1G83  Perrot  visited  tlie  tribes  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, and  established  friendly  relations  between  them  and  the 
French  ;  and  it  is  believed  tliat  the  information  whieli  he  fur- 
nished touching  the  geology  of  the  Des  Moinco  and  Fevre 
Rivers  led  to  the  discoveiy  of  the  lead-mines  in  that  vicinity. 
In  1G89  Le  Hontan  visited  the  site  of  Prairie  du  Chien,  wlule 
on  an  exploring-expedition  up  the  Mississippi. 

In  1683-84  Le  Sueuer  went,  for  the  first  time,  up  the  Fox 
River  from  Green  Bay,  and  down  the  Wisconsin,  to  visit  the 
Sioux  tribes ;  and  about  the  same  time  Nicholas  Perrot  took 
command  at  the  post  at  Green  Ba^' ;  and  in  the  year  following, 
or  in  1G84,  Lieut.  Duluth  aiTived,  and  assumed  military  occu- 
pancy of  the  post,  under  the  superintendency  of  the  command- 
ant at  Mackinaw.      Dulutli  began  his  preparations  for  war 


nrsTonr  of  w/sc  Nsm. 


93 


1685-89. 


against  the  Iroquois,  and  was  assisted  by  Perrot,  who  was  then 
engaged  in  active  and  profitable  trade  with  the  Foxes  near 
Green  Bay. 

From  this  point,  and  for  a  considerable  time,  we  have  no 
further  accounts  of  the  missionaries  in  this  section,  which  is, 
in  some  measure,  due  to  the  opposition  which  they  received 
from  La  Salle,  and  to  the  violent  dissensions  among  the  Indians 
which  followed.  The  French  began  to  lose  their  hold  on  the 
affections  of  the  Indians.  England  had  begun  to  contest  with 
France  for  the  supremacy  of  the  North-west ;  and,  as  the  con- 
test merged  into  action,  the  missionaries  retired. 

On  the  8th  of  May,  1G89,  Perrot —  who  was  then  commanding 
for  the  king  at  the  post  of  the  Nadoussioux,  commis- 
sioned by  the  Marquis  De  Denonville,  Governor  of 
Canada,  to  manage  the  interests  of  commerce  among  the 
Indian  tribes  and  people  of  Green  Bay  and  vicinity  —  took 
possession,  in  tlie  name  of  the  king,  of  the  countries  inhabited 
by  said  tribes.  The  records  inform  us,  that  the  papers  were 
signed  in  duplicate,  —  one  at  the  post  of  St.  Anthony,  and  the 
other  at  Green  Bay.  Le  Hoiitan  visited  Green  Bay  in  Septem- 
ber, 1689,  and  was  entertained  in  a  distinguished  manner  by 
the  Sauks,  Pottawattomies,  and  Menomonees.  He  passed  up 
the  Fox  River,  and  noticed  in  his  travels  some  of  the  features 
of  the  count  y,  and  manj'  of  the  characteristics  of  the  Indians. 

From  this  time,  until  the  Sauk  and  Fox  war,  there  is  little 
or  nothing  to  record.  During  the  first  quarter  of  1700^0 
the  eighteenth  century,  however,  these  Indians, 
occupying  the  valley  of  the  Fox  River,  became  so  exasperated 
against  the  Frencli,  that  they  cut  off  all  communication  be- 
tween the  posts  on  the  frontier,  extending  from  Detroit  on  the 
east  to  Green  Bay,  on  Lake  Superior,  on  the  west.  The  numer- 
ous acts  of  'r.arbarity  in  killing  and  plundering  all  who  came 
within  their  reach  caused  the  French  Government  to  send 
several  expeditions  into  the  valley  of  the  Fox  River,  to  chas- 
tise these  nations.  These  expeditions  were  as  follows :  that 
of  Pe  Louvigny,  in  1716 ;  De  Lingnery,  1728  ;  Martin,  in 
March,  1730  ;  and  De  Villiers,  in  September  of  the  same  year. 
By  these  expeditions,  the  hostile  Indians  were  severely  pun- 
ished, and  the  beautiful  valley  occupied  by  them  opened  up  to 


94 


nrSTORT  OF  WISCOSSfN. 


adventure,  exploration,  and  settlement.  This  war  and  its  good 
results  formed  the  basis  of  the  claims  of  France  to  the  Green 
Bay  country.  * 

In  1726,  says  Rev.  Dr.  A.  Brunson,  a  man  named  Cardinell 
settled  near  the  site  of  Prairie  du  Chien.  He  was  a  hunter 
and  ti-apper ;  and  we  suppose  he  may  be  regarded  as  the  first 
settler  in  that  locality.  He  came  from  Canada  with  his  wife  ; 
and  the  latter  is  supj)0sed  to  have  been  the  first  white  woman 
who  visited  the  prairie.  He  probably  came  to  Green  Bay  Vith 
the  French  troops  to  punish  the  hostile  Foxes  ;  and,  being  in- 
formed liy  the  traders  of  the  attractive  hunting-grounds  on  the 
Mississippi,  he  set  out  for  that  section,  filled  with  the  heroism 
of  the  pioneer  French  fur-trader.  The  next  settler  at  Prairie 
du  Chien  was  a  Frenchman  by  the  name  of  Gamier,  whose 
descendants  are  still  found  in  the  vicinity. 

The  settlement  at  the  prairie,  from  this  time,  increased  quite 
rapidly  ;  and  in  1756  the  government  of  France  established  a 
permanent  military  post  near  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin,  and 
near  the  site  of  the  present  city.  Following  this  came  a  num- 
ber of  French  families ;  and  in  a  short  time  quite  a  prosperous 
French  village  grew  up,  and  attracted  around  it  a  very  consid- 
erable traflSc  in  peltries.  The  fort  near  the  Wisconsin,  estab- 
lished in  1689,  had  been  abandoned  some  time  previous  to  the 
establishment  of  this  post. 

Turning  our  attention  again  to  Green  Bay,  we  may  observe, 
that,  in  1721,  Father  Charlevoix,  the  distinguished  historian  of 
New  France,  visited  that  section,  in  company  with  Capt.  De 
Montigny,  who  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the  fort.  We 
learn  from  this  early  writer,  that  the  post  at  Green  Bay,  at  that 
time,  stood  on  the  west  side  of  the  Fox  River,  half  a  league 
from  its  mouth.  There  were  a  number  of  Indian  villages  both 
above  and  below  the  post ;  and  the  good  missionary  was  then 
dtill  laboring  among  them,  but  with  ill  success.  In  1826  we 
find  Fathers  Aniiton  and  Chardon  both  laboring  as  missiona- 
ries at  Green  Bay ;  and,  two  years  later.  Father  Emanuel  Cres- 
pel,  but  the  war  against  the  Foxes  interfered  with  their  labors : 


'  An  account  of  this  war  would,  we  think,  occupy  more  space  in  this  vohime 
than  ibt  importance  deserves  ;  lience  tlie  reader  ia  referred  to  the  documents  of 
the  'Wisconsin  Historical  Society  on  this  matter. 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


M 


hence  they  were  among  the  last  of  the  early  French  mission- 
aries who  held  up  the  cross  to  the  tribes  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
bay. 

The  first  permanent  settlement  at  Green  Bay,  and  also  of 
Wiscon^iiii,  was  made  in  1745.  In  this  year  Augustine  De 
Langlade  and  his  son  Charles  migrated  to  Green  Bay  from 
Mackinaw,  aud  became  the  principal  proprietors  of  the  soil. 
They  sci'led  on  the  east  side  of  Fox  River,  near  its  mouth, 
somewhat  »l)ove  and  opposite  the  old  French  post,  and  near 
where  the  residence  of  the  '  ite  Judge  J.  P.  Arndt  afterwards 
stood.  They  were  accompanit  by  M.  Sauligny  (the  son-in-law 
of  the  Sieur  Augustin  De  Langi  le)  and  his  wife.  These  per- 
sons were  afterwards  joined  by  Mons.  Carron,  who  had  been 
for  more  than  twenty  years  an  Indian  trader,  and  otheiti.  This 
first  colony  in  Wisconsin  was  composed  of  probably  not  more 
than  eight  persons.  Capt.  De  Velie  was  commandant  of  the 
little  garrison  ;  and  the  infant  settlement  moved  along  slowly. 
It  appears  that  the  garrison  was  withdrawn  shortly  after  the 
settlement  was  founded,  and  not  long  before  the  comn.  •^ncement 
of  the  old  French  r,nd  Indian  war  of  1754 :  nevertheless,  the 
little  hamlet  struggled  on,  Augustin  De  Langlade  continuing 
in  the  Indian  trade,  and  Charles  De  Langlade  as  Indian  agent. 

It  is  impossible  to  present  now  a  complete  history  of  this 
post.  We  find  Capt.  De  Vorchieres  commanding  in  1747,  and 
having  very  good  success  in  quieting  the  Indians.  In  1754  the 
Sieur  Perrier  Marin  commanded,  and  effected  a  valuable  treaty 
with  the  Indians.  In  1756  Capt.  Dumas,  commanding  at 
Green  Bay,  concluded  a  peace  with  the  Illinois  Indians,  in 
behalf  of  the  traders  in  the  vicinity  of  the  post.  The  French 
and  Indian  war  had  now  commenced,  although  it  does  not 
appear  that  it  had  any  special  influence  for  good  or  evil  upon 
the  Green  Bay  settlement,  as  it  was  probably  too  remote  from 
the  scene  of  action  to  receive  any  sensible  effects  from  the 
operations  of  the  combatants.  It,  however,  opened  a  new  field 
for  the  enterprising  spirit  of  Charles  De  Langlade.  In  1755, 
with  a  strong  army  of  Ottawas,  Chippewas,  Menomonees,  and 
other  tribes,  he  set  out  for  the  defence  of  Fort  du  Quesne,  in 
which  contest  he  was  a  commanding  oflficer.  In  1757  he 
served  under  Montcalm,  in  the  capture  of  ^ort  William  Henry, 


n  I  STORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


bt  the  liead  of  Lake  George.  Indeed,  this  active  pioneer  of 
Wisconsin  took  part  in  the  contests  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crowu 
Point,  and  at  the  hist  great  conflict  that  sealed  the  question  of 
supremacy  on  the  Phiins  of  Abraham,  where  his  truly  great 
commiinder  fell  mortally  wounded. 

In  1758  a  sad  event  transpired  at  Green  Bay  in  the  wretched 
slaughter  of  eleven  Frenchmen  by  the  Indians.  The  com- 
mandant escaped  ;  and  the  storehouse  was  plundered. 

With  the  fall  of  Canada,  in  1759,  the  whole  country  passed 
into  the  hands  of  the  British.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  Charles 
De  Langlade  was  by  the  government  of  Canada,  Sept.  3,  1760, 
ordered  to  take  charge  of  and  conduct  the  Canadians  under  his 
command  to  Mackinaw,  the  Indians  to  their  villages,  and  for- 
ward two  companies  of  English  deserters  to  Louisville.  Thus 
the  way  was  opened  for  English  occupancy  ;  and  on  the  12th 
of  October,  1761,  Capt.  Balfour  and  Lieut.  Garrell,  with  British 
troops,  took  possession  of  Green  Bay  The  English  found  the 
old  fort  quite  rotten,  and  the  stockade  fast  falling  into  decay. 
Lieut.  James  Garrell  was  made  commandant,  Capt.  Balfour, 
retiring  ;  leaving  a  detachment  under  the  former  of  one  ser- 
geant, one  corporal,  and  fifteen  privates,  in  possession  of  the 
fort,  which  was  slightly  repaired,  and  called  Fort  Edward 
Augustus.  This  fort  was  abandoned  two  years  later,  when 
the  memorable  Pontiac  war  was  raging. 

(Charles  Do  Langlade  was  re-appointed  Indian  agent,  and  re- 
instated in  command  of  the  militia  ;  but  there  is  no  evidence 
that  the  fort  at  Green  Buy  was  ever  rc-occupied  by  a  garrison 
during  the  period  of  British  dominion,  or  until  after  the  war 
of  1812.  When  the  celebrated  traveller,  Capt.  Jonathan  Car- 
ver, reached  Green  Bay,  in  1766,  there  was  no  garrison  there ; 
nor  had  the  building  been  kept  in  repair  since  it  had  been 
abandoned  by  Lieut.  Garrell.  Mr.  Carver  found  a  few  families 
living  at  the  fort ;  and  opposite  to  it,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  there  were  also  a  few  French  settlers  still  remaining, 
who  cultivated  the  land,  and  appeared  to  live  comfortably. 
This  distinguished  traveller  passed  on  to  the  west  and  north, 
making  valuable  observations  of  the  territory  of  the  Upper 
Mississippi. 

Following  our  distinguished  traveller  fiom  Green  Bay,  our 


t 


98 


n  I  STORY  OF  wiscoysm. 


attention  is  properly  drawn  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  wliicli  had 
made  but  little  or  no  progress  since  our  last  mention  of  its  first 
settlers.  Mr.  Carver  observed  tlie  ruins  of  a  large  settlement 
in  a  very  pleasing  situation  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Mississippi, 
evidently  the  site  of  the  ancient  Outagamie  town,  from  which 
place  that  singular  tribe  had  removed,  professedly  at  the 
bidding  of  the  Great  Spirit,  to  the  opposite  bank.  At  the 
Prairie  or  Dog  Plains,  he  found  a  large  town  containing  about 
three  hundred  families.  The  houses  were  well  built,  after  the 
Indian  manner  (log-cabins  covered  with  bark),  and  pleasiintly 
situated  on  a  very  rich  soil,  from  which  they  raised  a  profusion 
of  every  necessary  of  life  in  great  abundance.  He  also  observed 
many  hoi-ses  of  good  size  and  great  beauty.  It  appeared  to 
this  traveller,  as  it  )  doubt  the  fact,  that  this  town  was 

the  great  mart  w1  I  the  adjacent  tribes,  and  even  those 

who  inhabited  the  n.ost  remote  branches  of  the  Mississippi, 
annually  assembled  about  thr,  latter  end  of  ^lay,  bringing  with 
them  their  furs  to  dispose  r f  to  the  traders.  It  is  a  singular 
fact,  that  when  Carver  was  at  the  prairie,  in  17CG,  he  found  no 
white  inhabitants  :  at  least  he  does  not  speak  of  meeting  with 
any,  although  he  describes  the  large  Indian  town  and  its  com- 
mercial importance.  He  tells  us,  however,  that  the  traders 
who  accompanied  him  took  up  their  winter  residence  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river  :  this  they  would  not  have  done,  if 
there  had  been,  at  that  time,  a  settlement  of  whites  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Wisconsin.  This  may  be  accounted  for  by  the 
fact,  that,  inasmuch  as  Canada  had  been  surrendered  to 
England,  the  French  had,  of  course,  evacuated  their  fort; 
which  tradition  says  was  burned  the  second  year  of  the  Ameri- 
can Revolutinu. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

EABLT  HISTOIIY  OF  WISCONSIN. 

Green  Day  and  Prairie  Du  Cliicn  —  Charles  De  Langlade — Conflict  between 
the  Americans  and  British  in  the  Xnrth-west  —  A  Glance  at  the  Settlements 
In  Wisconsin  at  the  Close  of  the  Uevolutlonary  War  —  The  Surrender  to 
the  United  States  by  the  British. 


During  the  last  quarter  of  the  eighteenth  century,  but  little 
is  presented  worthy  of  consideration  in  the  history  of  Wiscon- 
sin, either  at  Green  Bay  or  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  the  only 
points  around  which  much  either  of  civilization  or  of  barbarism 
centred.  Both  places  were  under  British  rule.  There  were  but 
few  families  residing  at  Green  Bay ;  and  the  only  business 
transacted  was  in  furs  and  peltries.  Upon  the  breaking-out  of 
the  Revolutionary  war,  Charles  De  Langlade,  then  fiftv-two 
years  of  age,  was  persuaded  to  take  an  active  part,  should  his 
services  be  needed.  He  had  fought  gallantly  in  the  interests  of 
France  in  the  old  French  and  Indian  Avar,  but  on  this  occasion 
was  ready  to  take  t.  place  in  the  army  for  the  English  cause.  It 
is  said,  however,  that  he  was  not  called  into  open  battle  during 
the  war,  though  he  served  a  valuable  place  in  the  Indian 
department.  During  this  war,  nearly  all  of  the  French  and 
English  inhabitants  at  Green  Bay,  though  virtually  Ameri- 
can citizens,  were  found  in  active  work  in  the  ranks  of  the 
enemy;  and  the  few  Americans  that  resided  there  were  at 
the  mercy  of  the  English.  Some  were  taken  prisoners,  and 
conveyed  to  Detroit ;  and  some  made  captive  by  the  Indians. 

Turning  our  attention  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  we  find  no 
further  accounts  of  visits  of  travellers,  or  doings  of  residents, 
until  1780.  At  that  date,  Capt.  J.  Long,  while  at  Mackinaw, 
was  sent  by  the  commanding  officer  to  accompany  a  party  of 

S0 


100 


niSTOBY  OF   WISCOSSIN. 


Indians  and  Canadians  to  the  Misaissiiipi.  Information  had 
been  received  at  Mackinaw,  that  the  Indian  traders  had  depos- 
ited their  furs  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  where,  we  are  informed, 
there  was,  at  the  time,  a  town  of  considerable  note,  1)uilt 
under  the  command  of  Mons.  Langlade,  the  king's  intei-preter ; 
and  the  object  of  the  expedition  was  to  secure  these  furs,  and 
keep  them  from  the  Americans.  Capt.  Long  left  Mackinaw 
with  thirty-six  Indians  of  the  Outagamies  a"''  Sioux,  and 
twenty  Canadians  in  nine  large  birch  canoes,  lit  .en  with  Indian 
presents.  The  party  arrived  at  Green  Bay  ia  four  days,  and 
proceeded  through  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  Rivers  to  the  forks 
of  the  Mississippi,  where  they  met  two  hundred  of  the  Fox 
Indians,  and  had  a  feast  of  fivs.  Indian  dogs,  bear,  beaver,  deer, 
mountain  cat,  and  raccoon,  boiled  in  bear's  grease,  and  mixed 
with  huckleberries.  They  proceeded  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  where 
they  found  the  merchants'  peltries  in  packs  in  a  log-house, 
guarded  by  Capt.  Langlade  and  some  Indians.  They  took  three 
hundred  packs  of  the  best  skins,  and  filled  the  canoes.  Sixty 
more  were  burned  to  prevent  the  Americans  from  taking  them. 
They  then  returned  to  Mackinaw  via  Green  Bay. 

In  the    year  1781,  Lieut.-Gov.  Patrick  Sinclair  of   Upper 
Canada  held  a  treaty  with  the  Indians,  at  Mackinaw,  for  the 
purchase   of  that  island.  Green  Bay,   and  Prairie  du 
Cliicn.     Pierre  La  Pointe  testified  l)efore  Judge  Lee, 
in  1820,  that  he  was  interpreter  at  the  treaty.     The  present 
settlement  of  Prairie  du  Chien  Avas  begun  in   1783,  by  Mr. 
Girard,  Mr.  Antaya,  and  Mr.  Dubuque.     There  had  formerly 
been    an    old  settlement  about  a  mile  below  the 
present     city,    which   existed  during   the   time   the 
French  held  possession  of  the  Canadas,  and  of  which  we  have 
already  spoken ;  but  it  was  abandoned,  chiefly  on  account  of 
the  unhealthy  situation,  being  near  the  borders  of  an  extensive 
tract  of  overflowed  land.     At  this  time,  or  soon  after,  saya 
Rev.  Dr.  Brunson,  "  twenty  or  thirty  settlers  constituted  all  the 
white  representatives  of  the  place ;  and,  previous  to  1793,  the 
whole  prairie  was  claimed  and  occupied,  amounting  to  forty- 
three  farms,  and  thirty  or  forty  village  lots,  most  or  all  of  which 
had  previously  been  built  upon."    This  fact  was  established  in 
1823,  by  testimony  taken  before  Judge  Lee,  who  was  appointed 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


101 


to  take  testimony  for  the  government  on  the  private  land 
claimH  of  parties  at  tlie  village.  The  greater  part  of  the  set- 
tlers came  as  hunters,  or  employees,  and,  talsing  wives  of  the 
natives,  commenced  farming  on  a  small  and  primitive  scale  ; 
cultivating  tlio  land  with  rough  ploughs  ironed  at  the  point, 
while  they  also  hunted,  trapped,  and  voyaged. 

From  a  report  made  to  Congress  Feb.  25,  1818,  we  Icam 
that  the  village  and  fort  were  formally  surrendered  1784- 
by  the  British  to  the  United  States  on  the  first  day  1800. 
of  June,  1786.  Gen.  W.  R.  Smith  thinks  there  is  a  douLt. 
about  tiio  formal  surrender  be'ii.;  made  at  that  time.  It  Is  well 
known  that  the  general  surrender  of  the  western  outposts  took 
place  in  July  of  th;.,  year. 

In  April,  1785,  there  was  a  great  flood  in  the  Mississippi :  the 
waters  rose  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  above  the  highest  mark 
they  had  ever  been  known  to  make  before  ;  and  the  whole 
region  of  country  drained  by  the  rivei  presented  the  aspect  of 
an  immense  sheet  of  water  studded  with  islands. 

In  settlement,  Green  Bay,  from  its  inception  (in  1745)  to 
1785,  had  made  but  little  progress ;  but,  as  we  have  seen,  it 
struggled  along,  sometimes  without  a  mihiary  garrison,  and 
sometimes  with  a  well-fortified  post.  But  at  lengtli,  in  179G, 
the  settlement,  with  its  improvements,  which  were  few  indeed, 
was  surrendered  to  the  American  authorities  by  the  British, 
from  which  time  the  United-States  Government  has  controlled 
the  interests  of  Wisconsin. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


GREEX  BAY  FROSI  1796  TO  1838, 

The  War  of  1812  — Erection  of  Fort  Howanl  — The  Early  Settlement  of  Green 
Bay  — Travels  nnd  Adventures  —  Nuniher  and  Condition  of  the  Indians — The 
Eniliryo  City  of  Gioen  Bay —  Anival  of  Government  Troops  —  The  Early  Lead 
TrafHc  —  Green  Bay  in  1821  —  Indian  Troubles  —  Murder  —  Formation  of  the 
Wisconsin  Territory,  &o. 

We  have  noted,  in  the  foregoing  chapter,  some  of  the  impor- 
tant incidents  in  the  history  of  Wisconsin,  from  its  first  explo- 
ration by  Europeans,  to  the  end  of  British  rule  in  the  Territory, 
in  1796.  At  the  latter  date,  as  through  the  whole  narrative, 
there  were  but  two  points  of  interest,  —  Green  Bay  and  Prairie 
du  Chien ;  nor  does  the  narrative  change  in  this  regard  until 
the  organization  of  the  Territorial  Government,  in  1836.  It  is 
therefore  the  purpose  of  this  and  the  following  chapter  to  follow, 
first,  Green  Bay,  and,  secondly,  Prairie  du  Chien,  in  the  prin- 
cipal events  of  history,  from  1796  to  1836.  This  chronological 
record  will  not  include  any  elaborate  notices  of  pioneer  life  in 
Wisconsin,  nor  even  an  account  of  the  me;iiorable  Black  Hawk 
war.  These  and  other  important  features  of  the  early  history 
follow  these  chapters  in  their  regular  order.  The  ol)ject  in  the 
chapters  named  is  to  present  a  skeleton  of  events  in  the  period 
mentioned,  as  free  as  possible  from  remark  or  embellishment. 
First,  then,  as  to  Green  Bay.  Soon  after  the  declaration  of 
war,  in  June,  1812,  Col.  Robert  Dickson,  an  English 
trader  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  agent,  collected  a 
considerable  body  of  Indians  at  Green  Bay  for  the  purpose  of 
rendering  assistance  to  the  British  forces  in  their  operations  ou 
the  Great  Lakes  of  the  North-west.  At  the  taking  of  Macki- 
naw by  the  British  (July  17,  1811),  we  find  this  Col.  Dickson 
very  prominent,  and  also  Capt.  Rolette  of  Prairie  du  Chien. 
103  ■ 


1812. 


104 


BISTORY  OF   WISCONSIS. 


1815. 


The  official  report  of  the  surrender  of  that  post  shows  that  four 
hundred  Indians  of  the  Sioux,  Folle  Avoines,  Puans,  and  Chip- 
pewas,  were  engaged  in  the  British  interest.  After  the  taking 
of  Mac'.vinaw,  Col.  McKay  of  the  British  army  proceeded  west 
to  Green  Bay,  passing  up  the  Fox  River,  and  down  the 
Wisconsin,  ■with  a  large  force  of  British  and  Indians,  and  cap- 
tured the  Fort  at  Prairie  du  Chien  after  a  desperate  resistance.' 
But  this  renewal  of  English  rule  in  Wisconsin 
was  only  temporary  ;  and,  in  1 815,  a  United  States 
trading-port  was  established  at  Green  Bay,  and  Col.  John 
Bowj'or  appointed  Indian  agent. 

On  the  IGth  of  July,  181G,  Col.  John  Miller  commenced  the 

,'  ,„  erection  of  Fort  Howard  with  the  troops  which  had 
arrived.  He  subsequently  returned  to  Mackinaw, 
leaving  Col.  Talbot  Chambers  in  command.  The  only  survivor 
of  those  who  went  there  with  the  troops  is  Moses  Hardwick,  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  now  nearly  eighty  years  of  age,  residing  in 
the  town  of  Scott,  a  few  miles  from  the  city.  He  came  in  the 
first  American  vessel  laden  with  troops  and  supplies,  in  August 
or  September,  and  anchored  in  Fox  River.  In  the  same  year, 
Judge  J.  H.  Lockwood  arrived  at  Green  Bay,  finding  forty 
or  fifty  Canadians  of  French  extraction  cultivating  the  soil. 
The  country  then,  as  also  for  some  eight  years  following,  was 
under  military  rule,  and  extremely  arbitrary.  Green  Bay  was 
then  a  portion  of  Indiana  Territory  ;  Vincennes  being  the  seat 
of  government.  American  settlers  began  to  come  in.  Previ- 
ous to  this  year,  there  was  no  regular  physician  nearer  than 
Mackinaw. 

S.  A.  Storrow,  '  idge-advocate  in  the  army  of  the   United 
States,  was  sent  by  Gen.  Jacob  Brown  to  visit  the  North-west- 

1H17  "^^'^  posts,  and  on  the  19th  of  September  arrived  in 
an  open  boat  at  Fort  Howard.  He  found  Major 
Zachary  Taylor  in  command,  by  whom  he  was  kindly  enter- 
tained, and  by  the  officers  of  the  Third  Regiment.  While  there, 
he  made  observations  on  the  ebb  and  flow  of  the  lake  tides. 
From  Fort  Howard,  he  proceeded  south,  through  the  eastern 
tier  of  counties  of  Wiscouoin,  to  Milwaukee  and  Fort  Dearborn, 
at  Chicago.  Two  young  men  by  the  names  of  Smith  and 
'  See  uocuiuit  uf  the  capture  of  Prairie  du  Cbien  fartlier  on  in  this  volume. 


BISTORT  OF  wrscojvsjy. 


105 


1818. 


1820. 


Gunn,  grandsons  of  Capt.  Jonathan  Carver,  left  Green  Bay 
this  year  in  a  bark  canoe  for  Prairie  du  Chien,  by  way  of  the 
Fox  and  Wiscoiisin  Rivers,  at  which  place  they  met  Major  S.  H. 
Long,  and  proceeded  with  him  up  the  Mississippi  to  the  Falls 
of  St.  Anthony,  with  a  view  to  establish  their  claims  to  the 
lands  granted  by  the  Indians  to  their  grandfather. 

In  the  summer  of  this  year,  William  Farnsworth,  now  of 
Sheboygan,  and  Ramsay  Crooks  of  the  American 
Fur  Company,  embarked  in  a  birch-bark  canoe  from 
Mackinaw,  passed  up  the  lake  and  Green  Bay,  to  the  mouth  of 
Fox  River,  thence  through  the  Fox,  Wisconsin,  and  Mississippi 
Rivers,  to  St.  Louis.  Col.  Abraham  Edwards  of  Detroit  ar- 
rived at  Green  Bay  in  May  ;  while  there,  Inspector-Gen.  John 
E.  Wool  arrived.  The  post  was  then  in  command  of  Major  Z. 
Taylor,  with  John  Bow>er  as  Indian  agent. 

In  1819  a  census  of  the  Indians  was  taken,  showing  that 
there  were  forty-ei}.'!it  hundred  natives  in  the  Green  Bay 
agency.  One  jear  later  II.  R.  Schoolcraft,  as  one 
of  the  expedition  under  Gov.  Lewis  Cass,  appointed 
by  the  government  to  visit  the  North-western  posts,  &c., 
arrived  at  Green  Bay,  by  way  of  the  Wisconsin  and  Fox 
Rivers,  on  the  20th  of  August.  The  expedition  consisted  of 
Gov.  Cass,  Dr.  Alexander  Wolcott,  Capt.  D.  11.  Douglas,  Lieuts. 
A.  McKay,  R.  A.  Forsyth,  C.  C.  Trowbridge,  A.  R.  Chase, 
H.  R.  Schoolcraft,  and  J.  Duane  Doty,  secretary.  He  says  of 
Green  Bay,  that  there  were  over  sixty  dwellings  and  five 
hundred  inhabitants,  occupying  about  eighty  buildings.  The 
Algonquin  name  of  the  jilace  is  Boatchweewaid,  a  term  which 
describes  an  eccentric  or  abrupt  bay  or  inlet.  Of  the  fort,  he 
says,  "  Log  barracks  facing  three  sides  of  a  square  parade, 
surrounded  by  a  stockade  of  timber  thirty  feet  high,  white- 
washed, and  garrisoned  by  three  hundred  men,  under  Capt. 
William  Whistler,  in  the  absence  of  Col.  J.  L.  Smith ;  also  that 
there  was  at  Camp  Smith,  three  miles  above  Fort  Brown,  three 
hundred  infantry.  Preparations  were  being  made  to  erect  a 
permanent  fortification  of  stone." 

Daniel  Whitney,  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  enterjirising 
men  of  Green  Bay,  arrived  in  this  year,  and  soon 
after  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land,  on  which  he 


1820. 


106 


arsToitr  of  w/scoxsin. 


1821. 


laid  out  the  embryo  city  of  Green  Bay,  now  constituting  the 
second  and  tliird  wards.  His  widow  and  family  are  still  resi- 
dents of  the  city.  In  the  same  year,  Isaac  Lee  was  appointed 
agent,  and  visited  Green  Bay  to  collect  evidence  of  titles  and 
claims  to  lands  held  by  the  French  settlers  under  Jay's  treaty, 
and  to  report  them  to  the  United-States  coipmissioners  sitting 
at  Detroit.  None  were  allowed,  except  such  as  were  occupied 
in  July,  179G  ;  and  few  came  within  the  provisions  of  the  Act 
of  Congress.  A  subsequent  Act,  passed  in  1823,  made  provision 
for  donation  of  all  such  as  were  occupied  July  1, 1812. 

In  this  year,  the  steamer  "  Walk  in  the  Water,"  which  has 
justly  become  celebrated  in  the  history  of  the  lake  region,  left 
Detroit  for  Mackinaw  and  Green  Bay,  July  31, 
1821,  with  two  hund  ed.  passengers  and  government 
troops,  and  arrived  at  Green  Bay,  Aug.  5.  Among  the  number 
was  Rev.  Eleazar  Williams,  missionary  to  the  Oneida  Indians, 
with  a  deputation  of  the  Six  Nations.  Gen.  Albert  G.  Ellis 
of  Stevens's  Point,  Wis.,  accompanied  the  party,  and  was,  for  a 
time,  school-teacher  for  the  mission  school  of  the  NcAv-York 
Indians.  Difficulties,  however,  occurred  with  the  Menomonees, 
who. gave  tl^  Oneidas  their  land  ;  and  nearly  ten  years  were 
spent  infnagotiatione,  which  were  concluded  in  1832  ;  and  soon 
after  the  most  of  tliis  band,  and  a  part  of  the  St.  Regis  band, 
removed,  and  settled  in  WiscoDsin. 

On  the  12th  of  September,  1822,  the  schooner  "  Tiger  "  arrived 
at  Detroit,  from  Green  Bay,  with  twelve  thousand  pounds  of 
lead,  transported  from  the  lead-mines,  the  whole  distance 
by  water,  except  the  portage.  The  other  events  of  this 
year  are  as  follows :  Col.  Ebenezer  Childs,  an  early  settler, 
arrived  May  20,  and  made  a  trip  to  St.  Louis  in  a  birch 
canoe.  The  first  post-office  at  Green  Bay  Wtis  established 
this  year,  with  Robert  Irwin  in  charge.  The  mail  was  carried 
from  Green  Bay  to  Detroit,  in  the  winter  season,  by  sol- 
diers 5  and  gr  rally  two  mails  within  six  months  were  all 
that  were  received,  A  Frenchman  named  Ulrich  was  stabbed 
in  October,  near  Camp  Smith,  by  a  Menomonee  Indian  named 
Kewabiskim,  and  another,  named  Pierre  Grignon,  was  mur- 
dered near  the  portage  by  a  Menomonee.  The  murderers  of 
Ulrich  were  caught,  tried,  and  convicted  at  Detroit,  and  sen- 


nrsronr  of  wiscoNsiy. 


107 


1824. 


tenced  to  be  hung  Dec.  27,  1821,  at  which  time  a  Chippewa 
Indian  named  Ketaukah  was  also  hung  for  the  murder  of  Dr. 
William  S.  Madison,  near  Manitowoc.  Father  Gabriel  Richards 
of  Detroit  visited  the  bay  this  j'ear.  He  was  afterwards  the 
delegate  of  Michigan  Territory  in  Congress. 

In  July  of  this  year,  Hon.  Henry  S.  Baird  became  a  resident 
of  Green  Bay,  where  he  remained  an  active  and 
respected  citizen  until  1875,  Avhen  he  died.  In  his 
"Early  History  of  Northern  Wisconsin,"  he  speaks  of  Green 
Bay,  as  it  appeared  in  1824,  as  follows :  "  The  grounds  around 
Fort  Howard  were  used  mostly  for  fields  of  grain,  and  gar- 
dens. A  portion  of  the  present  town  of  Fort  Howard  was 
used  as  a  parade  or  drill  ground.  The  garrison  consisted  of 
four  companies  of  the  Third  Regiment  of  United  States  infan- 
tr)',  and  was  commanded  by  the  late  Gen.  John  McNeil.  The 
settlement,  so  called,  extended  from  Fort  Howard  on  the  west, 
and  from  the  premises  of  tho  late  Judge  J.  P.  Arndt  on  the  east 
side  of  Fox  River,  to  the  present  village  of  De  Pere,  a  dis- 
tance of  about  six  miles ;  and  beyond  De  Pere,  south  or  west, 
there  was  no  white  settlement,  with  the  exception  of  two  or 
three  families,  until  you  reached  Prairie  du  Chiei^  a  distance 
of  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  There  wer^^ix5:'<J^  eight 
resident  American  families ;  and  the  families  of  .the  officers 
stationed  at  Fort  Howard,  in  number  about  the  same.  On  the 
23d  of  August,  J.  H.  Lockwood  was  admitted  to  practice  as 
an  attorney  by  Ji:dge  Doty,  the  first  lawyer  in  the  State.  He 
had  previously  received  a  commission  from  the  government  as 
prosecuting  attorney  for  the  counties  of  Brown  and  Crawford. 
The  first  term  of  t!i  .ited  States  Court  was  held  in  October 
of  this  year,  and  Hon.  H.  S.  Baird  admitted  to  practice,  and 
appointed  prosecuting  attornf^y  ^ro  ^em.  The  first  grand  jury 
of  Brown  County  was  impanelled,  and  found  one  indictment 
for  murder  (a  man  named  Joice,  who  was  tried,  and  convicted 
of  manslaughter),  and  forty-two  for  le?ser  offences. 

Col.  W.  G.  Hamilton  arrived  at  Green  Bay  on  the  28th  of 
June,  1825,  with  a  drove  of  cattle,  which  he  had 
contracted  with  the  government  to  deliver  at  the 
fort.  Ho  found  Major  Whistler  in  command  of  the  fort, 
and  Col.  Brevoort  acting  in  the  capacity  of  Indian  agent. 


1825-29. 


108 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Col.  E.  Childs  says  he  built  the  first  frame  house  at  Green 
Bay,  in  this  year ;  which  was,  probably,  the  first  house  of  the 
kind  erected  in  the  State.  The  Episcopal  Church  established  a 
mission  in  1825,  under  the  superintendence  of  Rev.  Mr.  Nash,  a 
worthy  missionary  ;  but  it  was  discontinued  in  1827.  It  was 
revived  in  1829,  under  the  care  of  Rev.  R.  Cadle,  and  again 
discontinued  in  1837.  Dec.  2,  1838,  Rev.  Bishop  Kemper  con- 
secrated a  church  at  Duck  Creek,  erected  by  Oneidas,  the  funds 
being  received  from  the  government ;  and  the  following  year 
Rev.  Solomon  Davis  was  placed  in  charge.  Gen.  Lewis  Cass 
and  Col.  T.  L.  ^I'Kenney,  commissioners  appointed  to  treat 
with  the  Indians  at  Butte  des  Morts,  met  at  Green  Bay  in  1825. 
J.  H.  Fonda  of  Prairie  du  Chien  wab  there  at  the  same  time. 
He  says,  "  There  were  seven  or  eight  hundred  persons  here,  from 
the  native  Indian  to  the  sons  of  Africa,  and  of  all  shades  of 
color."  The  Indian  affairs  throughout  the  Territorj'  had  assumed 
a  threatening  aspect.  Reports  of  murders  and  disturbances 
had  spread  through  the  settlements.  Mr.  Fonda,  at  the  request 
of  the  United  States  quartermaster,  carried  the  mail  to  Fort 
Dearborn  through  the  eastern  tier  of  counties. 

During  the  year  1827,  the  missionary  society  determined  to 
erect  extensive  buildings  for  a  boarding-school,  in  which  they 
might  educate  "  children  of  full  or  mixed  blood."  Rev. 
Richard  Cadle  was  selected  to  conduct  the  enterprise.  This 
gentleman  labored  devotedly  as  teacher  and  missionary  at 
Green  Bay  and  its  vicinity,  and  became  afterward  chaplain  at 
Fort  Howard,  and,  a  few  years  later,  at  Fort  Crawford.  The 
buildings  which  were  erected  in  1829  were  situated  on  a  high 
plateau  overlooking  Fox  River,  and  cost  nine  thousand  dollars. 
The  institution  was  not  a  success,  and  was  closed  in  1839. 

This  year  Judge  Arndt  built  the  first  saw-mill  on  Indian 
hind,  with  the  consent  of  the  war  department.  During  the 
year,  a  party  of  men  from  Green  Bay  went  up  the  Fox  River 
to  Fort  Winnebago,  co-operating  with  a  force  of  men  under 
Gen.  Atkinson  in  boats,  and  Gens.  Dodge  and  Whitesides,  with 
companies  of  volunteers  coming  from  below.  The  Indians, 
finding  a  formidable  army  in  the  midst  of  their  countr)',  con- 
cluded a  treaty  of  peace,  and  surrendered  "ed  Wing,  who  had 
a  year  previous  massacred  a  family  near  Prairie  du  Chieu. 


O^U'U^.ct*^  ^y7^tyu^.i/L^£j^ 


110 


niSTORT  OF    fV/SCOffSm. 


1828. 


In  the  fall  of  this  year,  the  Fifth  Regiment  of  United  States 
infantry  came  in  barges  from  St.  Louis  up  the 
Mississippi  and  Wisconsin,  and  down  the  Fox 
Rivers,  to  Fort  Howard,  without  unloading.  The  high  water 
enabled  them  to  cross  from  the  Wisconsin  to  the  Fox  River,  at 
Portage,  fully  laden,  and  to  run  the  rapids  of  Fox  River.  A 
remarkable  case  of  attempt  to  murder  occurred  at  Fort  How- 
ard in  this  year.  William  Prestige,  a  soldier,  entered  the 
quarters  of  the  notorious  D.  E.  Twiggs,  then  a  major,  and  in 
command  at  the  post,  while  he  was  taking  his  after-dinner  nap. 
Prestige  was  armed  with  a  musket,  the  muzzle  of  which  he 
put  to  Twiggs's  ear,  and  pulled  the  trigger,  intending  to  be, 
and  supposing  he  was,  sure  of  his  victim.  The  gun  missed  fire  ; 
but  the  click  of  the  1  ok  awoke  Twijgs,  who  sprung  up  and 
seized  the  gun,  and  struck  his  assailant  over  the  head,  inflicting 
a  terrible  wound,  fracturing  the  skull,  and  laying  him  senseless 
upon  the  floor.  Prestige  had  about  six  months  mort  to  serve 
out  his  enlistment ;  and  Twiggs,  instead  of  turning  him  over  to 
the  civil  authorities,  to  be  tried  and  punished  for  the  offence, 
detained  him  a  prisoner  under  his  own  control,  and  subjected 
him  to  every  species  of  torture  he  could  devise.  In  the  following 
year  (1829),  his  term  of  service  as  a  soldier  having  expired,  he 
was  indicted,  tried,  and,  on  conviction,  sentenced  to  five  years* 
imprisouiaont.  The  President  (Adams),  upon  representations 
to  him  of  the  brutal  treatment  to  which  Prestige  had  been 
subjected  by  Twiggs,  immediately  pardoned  him. 

A  log  schoolhouse  was  built  this  year.  Miss  C.  Russell 
taught,  and  was  succeeded  by  Miss  F.  Sears.  Fort  Winnebago 
was  established  this  season  by  Twiggs.  His  prisoner,  Prestige, 
was  kept  chained  to  a  tree,  with  no  shelter  or  bedding,  and 
without  comfortable  clothing. 

In  1829  a  Methodist  mission  was  established  at  Green  Bay, 
by  a  young  Mohawk,  who  hud  been  converted 
Canada.  In  the  month  of  May,  Judge  Doty,  M. 
L.  Martin,  and  H.  S.  Baiid  left  Green  Bay  on  horseback, 
and  travelled  over  the  country  to  Prairie  du  Chien;  being 
the  first  party  of  white  men  that  had  attempted  and  accom- 
plished the  journey.  In  October  the  first  public  meeting  of  the 
inhabitants   of  Green  Buy  was   held,  —  Louis  Grignon,  chair- 


nisTOJtr  OF  wiBcoifsiif. 


Ill 


man,  M.  L.  Martin,  secretary,  —  to  represent  to  Congresa,  among 
other  matters,  the  necessity  of  a  road  from  Green  Bay  to 
Chicago,  and  the  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  the  Fox 
River. 

In  August  of  this  year,  Hon.  Erastus  Root,  John  T.  Mason, 
and  J.  McCall,  United  States  commissioners,  arrived    ,_  ^ 

1830 

to  settle  Indian  difficulties,  but  did  not  succeed. 
The  commission  broke  up  without  accomplishing  any  thing. 
A  little  later,  a  Catholic  misHion  school  was  opened  by 
Rev.  Samuel  Mazzuchelli,  an  Italian  priest.  The  mission  was 
aided  by  the  government,  out  of  the  annuities  pjvid  to  the 
Menomonee  Indians.  In  the  same  year,  the  town  of  Navarino, 
now  known  as  the  north  ward  of  the  city  of  Green  Bay,  was 
laid  out  by  Daniel  Whitney.  Col.  Stambaugh,  Indian  agent, 
went  to  Washington  with  a  delegation  of  the  New  York 
Indians,  and  Menomonees,  to  settle  a  difficulty  between  these 
nations  on  the  boundaries  of  their  lands.  A  census  report 
shows  that  the  population  of  Brown  County,  in  the  same  year, 
was  fifteen  hundred. 

In  1831  the  government  purchased  from  the  Indians  the 
country  lying  between  Lake  Michigan  and  the  Mis- 
sissippi, Fox,  and  Wisconsin  Rivers.  Hitherto  these 
lands,  except  a  narrow  strip  on  both  sides  of  the  Fox  River  at 
Green  Bay,  and  the  reservation  of  the  New  York  tribes,  were 
owned  by  the  Menomonees  and  Winnebagoes.  Tlie  tardiness 
of  the  government  in  acquiring  titles  to  these  lands  was  a  great 
drawback  to  the  settlement  and  improvement  of  the  country. 
In  the  same  year.  Judge  J.  D.  Doty  and  Lieut.  Centre  were 
appointed  commissioners  for  surveying  and  locating  a  military 
road  from  Green  Bay  to  Chicago,  and  west  to  Prairie  du  Chien. 
The  year  1832  is  memorable  on  account  of  the  Black  Hawk  war, 
which  is  spoken  of  at  length  hereafter.  Green  Bay  was  not 
particularly  affected,  as  the  government  had  made  necessary 
preparation  at  its  post  at  Fort  Howard.  It  is  well  known  that 
Black  Hawk  had  invited  the  tribes  at  the  bay  to  join  the 
confederacy.  This  war,  for  a  brief  period,  retarded  immi- 
gration, and  the  settlement  of  the  State. 

In  1833  the  first  newspaper  published  in  Wisconsin  made  its 
appearance  at  Green  Bay ;  viz.,  "  The  Intelligencer."     J.  V. 


1831-32. 


112 


niSTOltr  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Snydam  and  A.  G.  Ellis  were  the  publishers.  The  importance 
of  tho  improvement  of  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  Rivers  was 
realized  by  the  people  of  Green  Bay ;  and  a  second  public 
meeting  was  held  Nov.  10,  1833,  to  memorialize  Congress  on 
the  subject.  There  were  eight  muider-trials  in  the  five  years 
terminating  in  1833:  only  three  of  the  parties  were  executed, 
all  soldiers  from  the  garrisons  at  Fort  Howard  and  Mackinaw. 
In  July,  Daniel  Le  Roy,  M.  L.  Martin,  and  P.  B.  Grignon 
explored  the  country  from  Green  Bay,  south,  as  far  as  Mil- 
waukee. There  were  only  Indian  villages  at  Milwaukee,  She- 
boygan, Manitowoc,  Waukesha,  and  Fond  du  Lac.  S.  Juneau 
was  trading  at  Milwaukee.  Ho  was  the  only  white  on  tho 
whole  route.  A  United  States  land-office  was  opened  at  Green 
Bay  in  1834;  and  in  the  sivme  year  Judge  Arndt  shipped  the 
first  cargo  of  lumber  from  Green  Bay  to  Chicago.  It  was 
shipped  on  Devil  River,  at  the  mouth  of  Hell  Creek,  and,  as 
Mr.  Durrie  remarks,  was  doubtless  well  seasoned.  In  1835  tho 
town  of  Astor,  now  known  as  the  south  ward  of  the  city,  was 
opened  and  laid  out  by  John  Jacob  Astor  and  othei-s,  on  the 
land  formerly  owned  by  John  Lawe  and  the  Grignon  family, 
and  originally  owned  by  the  American  Fur  Company.  Thus  we 
reach  1830,  the  year  in  which  the  first  session  of  the  legisla- 
tive council  of  Michigan  convened  at  Green  Bay,  at  which  a 
memorial  to  Congress  was  drawn  up  for  the  formation  of  the 
new  Territory  of  Wisconsin.  The  Territorial  Government  was 
established  by  Congress  April  20,  1836,  and  was  fully  organ- 
ized July  4,  183G,  as  hereinafter  recorded.  We  have  in  tliis 
manner  run  abruptly  over  the  noticeable  events  in  the  early 
history  of  Green  Bay.  Many  of  these  same  events  are  treated 
of  at  g -cater  length  in  the  chapter  succeeding  that  which 
immediately  follows.  We  have  given  this  brief  and  pointed 
chain  of  events  merely  as  a  framework.  And  we  may  now 
turn  to .  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  present  some  of  the  principal 
features  in  the  history  of  that  place  in  the  same  manner. 


CHAPTER  Viri. 


PBAIKIE  DU  CHIEN  FROM  1796  tO  1836. 


1805. 


Description  of  Prairie  du  Chien  in  1805  —  The  Fur  Trade  —War  of  1812  —  Cap- 
ture of  Prairie  du  Cliicn  —  Determined  Resistance — Tlio  Fur  Trade  after 
tlie  Peace  of  1815  — Major  Long's  Observations  of  the  Fort  and  Viilage,  &c. 

In  the  year  1805,  Major  Z.  M.  Pike,  having  been  appointed 
to  the  charge  of  an  expedition  to  explore  the  Upper  Mississippi, 
left  St.  Louis  in  August  with  a  party  of  twenty  officers  and 
privates,  in  a  keel-boat.  He  arrived  at  Prairie  du  Chien  on  the 
4th  of  September,  and  found  Capt.  Fisher  in  com- 
mand at  the  fort.  He  proceeded  up  the  river,  and 
returned  to  Prairie  du  Chien  April  18,  1806.  On  the  20th,  he 
made  a  speech  to  the  Puants,  and  demanded  the  murderers  of 
two  Americans.  These  the  Indians  promised  to  deliver  at  St. 
Louis,  and  to  return  all  British  flags  and  medals  in  their  posses- 
sion. The  ft)llowing  is  his  description  of  the  village  :  "  Situ- 
ated about  a  league  from  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin.  On  the 
east  bank  is  a  small  pond,  or  marsh,  which  runs  parallel  to  the 
river  in  the  rear  of  the  town,  which,  in  front  of  the  marsh, 
consists  of  eighteen  dwelling-houses  in  two  streets  (near  the 
present  Dousman  House),  sixteen  in  Front  Street,  and  two  in 
Second  Street.  In  the  fear  of  the  marsh  (east  of  the  Marais 
de  St.  Ferriole,  and  ne.ar  Kane's  Hotel)  are  eiglit  dwelling- 
houses.  Part  of  the  houses  are  framed ;  and,  in  place  of  weather- 
boarding,  there  are  small  logs  lot  into  mortises  made  in  the 
uprights,  joined  close,  daubed  on  the  outside  with  clay,  and 
handsomely  whitewashed  within.  There  were  eight  houses 
scattered  around  the  country  at  a  distance  of  one,  two,  three, 
and  five  miles  ;  making,  in  the  village  and  vicinity,  thirty-seven 
houses,  which,  at  ten  persons  to  each  house,  would  make  a  popu- 

113 


114 


nisTonr  of  wiscoysw. 


1806-15. 


lation  of  three  Imndretl  and  seventy  souls.  In  the  spnnjj  nncl 
full,  (iwiiKj  ti)  the  concourse  of  triulers  and  their  engagees,  there 
fire  lietweon  five  lumdred  and  six  hundred.  A  fair  is  usually 
hold  in  the  sprincj,  when  three  hundred  or  four  hundred  Indiana 
ore  hero  to  exchange  peltries  for  goods."  lie  speaks  of  the  old 
village,  which  was  a  mile  below  the  present  one,  which  had 
existed  during  the  French  occu])ancy  of  the  country.  The 
present  village  was  settled  under  the  English  riovernment, 
and  the  ground  purchased  of  the  Indians.  The  prairie  on 
which  the  village  is  situated  is  bounded  on  the  rear  by 
hii^h,  bald  hills.  While  there,  he  selected  a  location  for  a 
fort. 

In  this  year,  a  trader  named  Campbell  was  appointed  by  the 
government  sub-Indian  agent,  and  by  the  governor  of  Illinois 
as  justice  of  the  peace  of  Prairie  du  Cliien.  Ills 
price  for  marrying  was  one  hundred  pounds  of  flour, 
and,  for  dissolving  the  marriiigc-rclation,  two  hundred  jjouuds. 
On  the  ISth  of  June,  1812,  the  declaration  of  war  against  Great 
Britain  was  made  by  Congress.  The  jn-otection  of  this  part  of 
our  frontiers  was  consideri'd  of  great  importance  to  ourselves, 
as  its  possession  was  to  the  British.  Early  in  1814,  the  govern- 
ment aulhoritics  at  St.  Louis  fitted  out  a  large  boat,  having  on 
board  all  the  men  that  could  be  mustered,  and  despatched  it 
up  the  ^lississippi  to  protect  the  upper  country.  This  boat 
reached  Prairie  du  Chien ;  and  on  its  arrival  the  men  com- 
menced putting  the  old  fort  in  a  state  of  defence  by  repairing 
the  outworks,  and  fortifying  it.  Not  long  at'ter  taki  ig  posses- 
sion. Col.  McKay  of  the  British  army  descended  the  Wiscon- 
sin with  a  large  force  of  British  and  Indians,  piloted  by  Joseph 
Rolette  of  the  village.  The  fort  was  captiued  after  a  deter- 
mined resistance  against  an  overwhelming  force ;  and  the 
utmost  exertions  of  Col  McKay  were  required  to  prevent  an 
indiscriminate  massacre  of  the  Americans  by  the  infuriated 
Indians.  The  prisoners  were  finally  put  into  a  boat,  and  sent 
down  the  river.  The  fort  was  left  in  command  of  Capt.  Pohl- 
man  with  two  Mackinaw  companies  under  Capt.  Anderson  and 
Lieut  D.  Graham.'     He  continued  in  command  till  after  the 


>  See  account  of  the  rapture  of  Prairie  du  Chien  farther  on. 


^Z^<1^  .^yL^t^         ^ 


^t-t-t^ 


a^A-i^c^C^ 


116 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


peace,  which  ensued  the  following  year,  when  the  fort  was 
evacuated  by  the  British. 

After  the  peace  of  1815,  a  profitable  business  was  carried  on 
between  the  merchants  of  St.  Louis  and  the  traders  and  Indians 
of  the  Upper  Mississippi.  Goods  were  periodically  sent  up  to 
the  tradera,  who,  in  return,  transmitted  by  the  same  boats  pel- 
tries and  lead.  In  the  period  between  1815  and  1820,  Col. 
John  Shaw  made  eight  trips  in  a  trading-boat  between  St. 
Louis  and  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  visited  the  lead-mines  where 
the  city  of  Galena  now  stands.  At  one  time  he  carried  away 
seventy  tons  of  lead.  On  the  21st  of  June,  1816,  United 
States  troops  took  possession  of  the  fort  at  Prairie  du  Chien. 
Brevet  Gen.  Smythc,  colonel  of  the  rifle  regiment,  in  the 
month  of  June  selected  the  mound  where  the  stockade  had 
been  built,  and  the  ground  in  front,  to  include  the  most 
thickly  inhabited  part  of  the  village,  for  a  site  to  erect  Fort 
Crawford.  During  the  ensuing  winter,  or  spring  of  1817,  Col. 
Chambers  arrived,  and  assumed  the  command  ;  and,  the  houses 
in  the  village  being  an  obstruction  to  the  garrison,  he  ordered 
those  houses  in  front  and  about  the  fort  (near  Col.  Dousman's 
residence)  to  be  taken  down  by  their  owners,  and  moved  to  the 
lower  end  of  the  village,  where  he  pretended  to  give  them  lots. 
Judge  Lockwood  arrived  Sept.  16,  1816.  He  says  the  village 
at  that  time  was  a  traders'  village  of  between  twenty-five  and 
thirty  houses,  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  on 
what  is  in  high  water  an  island,  now  called  the  "Old  Village," 
as  it  was  at  the  time.  There  were  on  the  prairie  at  that 
time  about  forty  farms  cultivated  along  under  the  bluffs,  and 
enclosed  in  the  common  field,  each  farm  divided  by  a  road  or 
highway.  This  year,  there  were  four  companies  of  riflemen 
under  command  of  brevet  Major  Morgan,  building  the  old 
fort,  which  was  constructed  by  placing  the  walls  of  <he  quar- 
ters and  storehouses  on  the  lines,  tlie  highest  outside,  and  the 
slope  of  the  roof  descending  within  the  fort,  with  block-houses 
at  two  corners,  and  large  pickets  on  the  others,  so  as  to  enclose 
the  fort.  This  fort  was  erected  on  the  island  formed  by  the 
river  and  the  Slough  of  St.  Fcrriole. 

In  1817  Major  S.  H.  Long  made  some  observations  of  the 
fort  and  settlement.     Ho  says  of  Fort  Crawford,  tliat  it  was  a 


niSTORY  CF   WISCONSIN. 


117 


on 


square  of  three  hundred  and  forty  feet  each  side,  of  wood,  with  a 
magazine  (twelve  by  twenty-four)  of  stone  ;  that  it  would  accom- 
modate five  companies.  The  block-houses  were  two  stories  high, 
with  cupolas  or  turrets.  The  building  of  the  works  was  com- 
menced July  3, 1816,  by  troops  under  command  of  Col.  Hamilton, 
previous  to  w'a'^h  time  no  timber  had  been  cut,  or  stone  quarried, 
for  the  purpose.  Exclusive  of  stores,  workshops,  and  stables, 
the  village  contained  only  sixteen  dwelling-houses  occupied  by 
families.  In  the  rear  of  the  village,  about  three-quarters  of  a 
mile,  were  four  others ;  two  miles  and  a  half  above  Avere  five ; 
and  at  the  upper  end  of  the  prairie  were  four,  and  seven  or  eight 
scattered  over  the  prairie  ;  so  that  the  whole  number  of  family 
dwellings  then  occupied  did  not  exceed  thirty-eight.  The 
buildings  were  generally  of  logs,  plastered  a\  ith  mud  or  claj' ; 
and  he  thinks  the  village  and  inhabitants  had  degenerated  since 
Pike  was  there  (in  1805).  The  inhabitants  were  principally 
of  French  and  Indian  extraction.  One  mile  back  of  the  village 
was  the  "  Grand  Farm,"  an  extensive  enclosure  cultivated  by  the 
settlers  in  common.  It  Avas  about  six  miles  in  length,  and  one- 
quarter  to  one-half  a  mile  in  width,  surrounded  by  a  fence  on 
one  bide,  and  the  river-bluffs  on  the  other,  thus  secured  from 
the  depredations  of  cattle.  lie  speaks  highly  of  Capt.  Dufflicj", 
the  commanding  officer.  He  says  of  the  name  of  the  village,  that 
it  derived  its  name  fi'om  a  family  of  Indians  formerly  known  by 
the  name  of  "  The  Dog ;  "  that  the  chiefM  name  was  "  The  Dog." 
This  family,  or  band,  had  become  extinc  t.  The  following  tradi- 
tion concerning  them  came  to  his  knowledge:  "that  a  large 
party  of  Indians  came  down  the  Wisconsin  from  Green  Bay ; 
that  they  attacked  the  family  or  tribe  of  '  The  Dogs,'  and 
massacred  almost  the  whole  of  tlicin,  and  returned  to  Green 
Bay ;  that  the  few  who  had  succeeded  in  making  their  escape 
to  the  woods  returned,  after  their  enemies  had  evacuated  the 
prairie,  and  re-established  themselves  in  their  former  place  of 
residence  ;  and  that  they  were  the  Indians  u;habiting  the  prairie 
at  the  time  it  was  settled  by  the  French." 

In  the  spring  of  this  year,  a  Roman  Catholic  priest  from  St. 
Louis,  named  Pi*re  Pricre,  visited  Prairie  du  Chien.  He  was 
the  first  who  had  visited  the  place  for  many  years,  and  perhaps 
since  the  settlement.    lie  organized  the  Roman  Catholic  (Church, 


118 


HISTORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


and  disturbed  some  of  the  domestic  arrangements  of  the  inhab- 
itants. He  found  several  women  who  had  left  their  husbands, 
and  were  living  with  other  men :  these  he  made,  by  the  terror 
of  his  church,  to  return,  and  ask  pardon  of  their  husbands,  and 
to  be  taken  back  by  them,  which  they,  of  course,  could  not 
refuse. 

From  this  time  to  1836,  when  the  Territorial  Government  was 
organized,  the  record  of  Prairie  du  Chien  is  a  dull  routine  of 
unimportant  events.  The  early  courts  and  court-decisions  of 
the  place  present  much  of  interest ;  but  these  are  noticed  else- 
where. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


EAKLY  HTSTOKY  OP  WISCONSIN. 


The  War  of  1812  in  the  Xorth-weat  —  Operations  at  Prairie  du  Cliien  —  Col.  McKay 
and  his  Forces — An  Account  of  tlie  Captnro  of  I'ralrie  ilu  Cliieu  by  Col. 
ilvKay  —  Scenes  and  Incidents  of  the  Surreuder. 

Having  referred  to  the  early  history  of  what  is  now  the 
State  of  Wisconsin,  more  particularly  in  reference  to  Green 
Bay  and  Prairie  du  Chien,  which,  in  reality,  comprised  all 
there  was  of  civilization  in  this  section,  it  is  only  necessivry  to 
state  thnt  the  rest  of  the  Territory  was  occupied  almost  exclu- 
sively by  Indians,  who  held  tlie  title  of  "  eminent  domain  " 
by  actual  possession,  although  the  United  States  held  the 
supremacy. 

The  declaration  of  war  on  tlie  part  of  our  government  against 
Great  Britain  was  made  by  Act  of  Congress  on  the  18th  of 
June,  181 2;  and  on  the  foUowuig  day  a  proclamation  of  the 
contest  was  made.  By  soma  unaccountable  neglect  or  misman- 
agement on  the  part  of  the  officers  of  the  government,  the 
information  of  this  important  event  did  not  reach  the  North- 
western posts  until  some  days  after  the  British  authorities  in 
this  region  had  full  knowledge  of  the  fact,  and  were  enabled  to 
act  accordingly.  This  egregious  blundering,  or  reprehensible 
omission  of  duty,  on  the  part  of  the  officers  of  the  General 
Government,  proved  disastrous  in  the  extreme. 

Without  going  into  dutails  of  the  taking  of  Mackinaw  on  the 
17th  of  July  with  a  force  of  British,  Canadians,  and  savages, 
and  the  crownhig  misfortune  that  befell  the  American  cause  in 
this  quarter  of  the  seat  of  war  by  the  unparalleled  act  of  the 
surrender  of  Detroit  by  Gen.  Hull,  together  with  fourteen  hun- 
dred brave  men  longing  for  battle,  to  three  hundred  English 

110 


120 


HISTORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


soldiers,  four  linndrotl  Canadian  militia  disguised  in  red  coats, 
and  a  band  of  Indian  allies;  of  the  unfortunate  fate  that  befell 
tlie  garrison  of  I'^^rt  Dearborn  at  Chicago,  —  it  is  only  neces- 
sary to  say  that  Wisconsin  took  a  part  in  this  contest,  even 
though  it  presented  a  small  theatre  for  action.  The  protection 
of  this  part  of  our  frontier  was  regarded  as  of  great  importance 
to  ourselves,  as  its  possession  was  to  the  British.  Early  in  1814, 
the  government  authorities  at  St.  Louis  had  fitted  out  a  large 
boat,  bullet-proof,  having  on  board  all  the  men  that  could  be 
mustered  and  spared  from  tlie  lower  country,  under  command 
of  Capt.  Yei.ser,  and  despatched  it  up  tlie  Mississippi,  to  protect 
the  upper  country  and  the  few  settlers  that  were  then  in  it. 
This  boat  reached  Prairie  du  Chien ;  and,  immediately  on  their 
arrival,  the  men  commenced  the  Avork  of  putting  the  old  fort  in 
a  state  of  defence  by  repairing  the  outworks,  and  fortifying  it 
in  the  best  manner  they  were  able.  Lieut.  Perkins,  Avho  accom- 
panied the  troops,  was  directed  to  take  and  retain  iwsoCi-sion 
of  the  place  ;  and  he  built  a  stockade  on  a  large  mound  near 
the  residence  of  the  late  H.  \j.  Dousman.  In  the  mean  time,  the 
traders  in  the  British  interest,  resorting  to  Mackinaw  as  the 
British  headquarters  of  the  North-west,  learning  of  the  American 
occupation  of  Prairie  du  Chien  in  1814,  and  anticipating,  that, 
so  long  as  this  force  should  remain  there,  they  Avould  be  cut  off 
from  the  trade  of  that  place,  its  dependencies,  and  the  Sioux 
country,  at  once  set  on  foot  an  expedition  for  its  recapture. 
The  command  of  the  same  was  confided  to  Lieut.-Col.  William 
McKay,  a  man  of  intelligence,  activity,  and  enterprise,  and  well 
fitted  to  command  the  contemplated  expedition.  The  party 
consisted  of  a  sergeant  of  artillery,  with  one  brass  six-pounder 
(another  authority  says  three  pieces  of  artillery),  and  three 
or  four  volunteer  companies  of  the  Canadian  voi/ar/curs.,  com- 
manded by  traders,  and  officered  by  their  clerks,  all  dressed  in 
red  coats,  ■with  probably,  in  all,  not  less  than  five  hundred,  and 
perhaps  more,  Indians  and  half-breeds.  A  small  party  of  regu- 
lars, under  Capt.  Pohlman,  was  placed  under  McKays  com- 
mand. The  Indians  were  composed  of  three  bunds  of  Sioux, 
under  their  chiefs,  Wau-ba-shaw,  or  "  The  Leaf,"'  Red  Wing, 
Little  Crow,  and  others ;  and  the  Winnebagoes  were  in  charge 
of  Pe-shen,  or  "  The  Wild  Cat,"  Tar-eel,  or  "  The  Teal,"  Car- 


122 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


ry-marr-nee,  Wino-sheek,  Sar-ro-chan,  Neo-o-kantak,  or  "Four 
Legs,"  and  Black  ^Volf. 

Col.  McKay  came  with  his  force  in  boats  to  Green  Bay,  where 
he  tarried  to  increase  his  numbers,  and  make  all  necessary  prep- 
arations. A  company  of  the  Green  Bay  militia,  of  about  thirty 
persons,  and  many  of  them  old  men  unfit  for  service,  was 
raised,  of  which  Pierre  Grignon  Avas  captain,  Peter  Powell  and 
Aug.  Grignon,  lieutenants.  Here  about  seventy-five  Menomo- 
nees,  under  Ma-cha-nah,  or  "  The  Hairy  Hand,"  I-om-e-tah, 
Kish-kon-nan-wan-kan-hom,  or  "  The  Cutting  Off,"  and  a  party 
of  about  twenty-five  Chippewas  mixed  with  the  Menomonees, 
joined  the  expedition.  Mr.  Grignon,  in  his  "  Recollections  of 
Wisconsin,"  says,  "  Our  entire  force  now  consisted  of  four  hun- 
dred Indians  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  whites."  Such  was  liis 
understanding ;  and,  if  the  newspapers  of  tlie  day  represented  it 
larger,  it  was  for  effect  on  the  part  of  the  British  to  impress  the 
Americans  vnth  an  idea  of  their  great  strength  in  the  North- 
west, and,  on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  in  palliation  of  their 
loss  at  Prairie  du  Chien. 

At  length  the  expedition  moved  forward  up  Fox  River,  the 
whites  in  six  boats  or  barges,  and  the  Indians  in  canoes ;  and, 
carrying  their  craft  over  the  portage,  they  descended  the  Wis- 
consin. Reaching  the  old  deserted  Fox  Village  on  the  Wiscon- 
sin, tAventy-one  miles  from  Prairie  du  Chien,  the  force  stopped; 
while  Michael  Brisbois,  Aug.  Grignon,  a  Sioux,  and  a  Winne- 
bago Indian  were  despatched  to  Prairie  du  Chien  in  the  night 
to  obtain  a  citizen,  and  bring  him  to  Col.  McKay  from  whom  to 
obtain  intelligence.  Descending  the  river  to  where  the  ferry 
has  since  been  located  (Wright's  Ferry),  some  five  or  six  miles 
from  the  prairie,  they  went  across  by  land,  and  reached  the  place 
without  difficulty.  They  saw  the  sentinel  on  duty  at  the  fort. 
They  went  to  Antoine  Brisbois,  the  uncle  of  Michael  Brisbois, 
one  of  the  part}',  who  lived  throe  miles  above  the  town,  and 
took  him  to  where  they  had  left  the  canoe  (the  present  ferry), 
then  called  "  Petit  Gris."  There  they  awaited  the  arrival  of 
Col.  McKay  and  his  force,  Avho  made  their  appearance  the  next 
morning  early.  Mr.  A.  Brisbois  reported  the  American  strength 
in  the  garrison  at  sixty.  The  party  then  proceeded  down  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Wisconsin,  and  thence  up  to  Prairie  du  Chien, 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


123 


through  a  channel,  or  bayou,  between  a  continuous  number  of 
ishinds  and  the  IMississippi.  From  Mr.  Griguon's  valuable 
paper  before  alluded  to,  we  take  the  following  detail  of  the 
capture  of  the  place.  The  old  gentleman  was  an  active  parti- 
cipant in  the  affray  on  the  British  side  ;  and  his  memory  is  very 
clear  on  the  details,  which  are  the  only  full  accounts  we  possess 
of  the  takuig  of  Prairie  du  Chien. 

"  They  reached  the  village  at  ten  o'clock,  unperceivcd.  The  day  was 
Sunday,  July  14,  1814,  and  a  very  pleasant  one.  The  officers  of  the  garri- 
son were  getting  ready  to  take  a  pleasure-ride  into  the  country,  and,  had 
McKay  been  an  hour  or  two  later,  tiie  parrison  would  iiave  been  found 
without  an  officer.  Nicholas  Hoilvin  had  directed  a  man  to  go  out  and 
drive  up  his  cattle,  as  he  wished  to  kill  a  heifer  that  day,  and  have  some 
fresh  meat. 

"The  man  went  out,  and  soon  discovered  the  British  approaching,  and 
knew,  from  the  red  coats  worn  by  the  regulars  and  Capts.  Rolette  and 
Anderson  (for  none  of  the  rest  had  any),  and  the  dozen  Hritish  flags  dis- 
played by  tlie  Indians,  that  it  was  a  British  force.  IIo  returned,  and 
informed  jAIr.  Boilvin,  who  went  and  found  the  report  a  correct  one.  Mr. 
Boilvin,  who  was  the  American  Indian  agent  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  now 
hastened  to  his  house,  and  conveyed  his  family  and  valuables  to  the  gun- 
boat belonging  to  the  fort,  for  safety.  All  the  citizens  now  left  their  houses, 
and  fled  from  the  impending  danger,  —  some  to  the  fort,  but  mostly  to  the 
country. 

"  Upon  arriving  at  the  town,  and  making  a  very  formidable  display  for 
that  quiet  place,  Roktte  and  Anderson,  with  their  companies,  the  Sioux 
and  AVinnebago  Indians,  were  directed  to  take  post  above  the  fort;  while 
Col.  McKay  himself,  with  the  Green  Bay  Company,  the  regulars,  the  Me- 
nomonees,  and  Chippewas,  encompassed  it  below.  A  flag  w!is  sent,  borne 
by  Capt.  Thomas  Anderson,  demanding  the  surrender  of  the  garrison,  with 
which  demand  Lieut.  Perkins,  the  commandant  of  the  post,  declined  to 
comply.  The  six-pounder,  under  the  management  of  the  regulars,  was  now 
brought  to  bear  on  the  gunboat  of  the  Americans.  The  first  shot,  however, 
fired  by  it,  was  a  blank  charge,  intended  as  a  sort  of  a  war-flourish,  or 
bravado.  But  our  men  did  not  take  a  near  position,  and  were,  probablj-,  half 
a  mile  from  tlio  gunboat,  if  not  more;  and  hence  the  firing  upon  tlie  boat 
by  the  cannon,  and  the  firing  by  the  guns,  were  generally  ineffectual.  When 
the  firing  first  commenced  on  the  gunboat,  Capt.  Grignon,  with  a  part  of 
his  company,  and  several  Menomonoes,  was  directed  to  cross  the  river  in 
two  boats,  and  take  a  position  on  land,  so  as  to  annoy,  and  aid  to  drive  off, 
the  gunboat,  the  position  of  which  was  at  first  near  the  middle  of  the 
river,  but,  when  fired  upon,  had  moved  over  nearer  tbe  western  shore. 
During  the  day,  the  gimboat  was  at  least  once  or  twice  hit  by  the  balls  of 
the  six-pounder,  which  caused  a  bad  leakage;  and  which,  when  the  sim  waa 


124 


niSTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


about  half  an  hour  high,  induced  Capt.  Yeiser  to  move  down  stream. 
Seeing  this  movement,  tlie  Americans  on  the  fort  called  out  to  them  not  to 
go  off ;  but,  this  being  unheeded,  they  fired  their  cannon  at  the  boat  to  stop 
it.  Meanwhile,  Capt.  Gri^non  and  hia  party  over  the  river  had  been 
annoying  the  boat.  One  writer  says  that  tliis  party  had  taken  position  on 
an  island  opposite  Prairie  du  Chien,  covered  with  timber,  wliich  served  to 
screen  them  from  the  shots  of  the  gunboat.  Had  we  (the  British) 
manned  some  of  our  boats,  and  pursued,  we  could,  \nidoubtedly,  have  taken 
it,  as  we  afterwards  learned  that  it  leaked  so  badly,  that  tiie  Americans 
had  to  stop  at  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin  to  repair  it.  The  only  injury 
the  firing  of  the  latter  vessel  did  was,  a  ball,  before  noon,  striking  a  fence- 
post,  some  of  the  slivers  of  which  inflicted  a  flesh-wound  in  one  of  the 
Menomonees. 

"While  this  contest  was  progressing  with  the  gunboat,  McKay's  party 
of  whites  and  Indians,  on  all  sides  of  the  fort,  kept  up  an  irregular  firing 
of  small-arms,  which,  from  their  great  distance  from  the  fort,  was  harm- 
less ;  and  thus,  if  they  did  no  harm,  they  were  out  of  the  way  of  receiving 
any  in  return.  At  length,  towards  noon,  Col.  !McKay  ordered  his  men  to 
advance  over  the  Marais  de  St.  Ferriole,  a  swampy  spot,  and  take  a  position 
much  nearer  the  fort, — not  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant.  Tliis 
was  obeyed  by  those  on  the  lower  side  of  the  fort,  who  had  a  sufRcionry  of 
houses  to  shield  them  from  the  guns  of  the  garrison.  From  this  new  posi- 
tion, the  firing  was  somewhat  increased.  In  tlie  fort  were  four  iron  cannon, 
somewhat  larger  than  six-pounders;  and  these  were  occasionally  fired. 
It  was  well  known  that  the  gimboat  contained  the  magazine  of  powder, 
and  that  had  gone  down  the  river  with  Capt.  Yeiser.  A  couple  of  ^Vinne- 
bagoes,  discovering  that  tliere  wore  some  hams  in  a  house  which  had  been 
deserted,  and  to  which  they  could  not  gain  an  entrance,  mounted  upon  the 
roof,  intending  to  tear  off  some  shingles,  when  they  were  espied  from  the 
fort,  and  each  wounded  in  the  thigh,  when  they  quickly  retreated. 

"The  second  day,  the  men  and  Indians  amused  themselves  with  some 
long  shooting;  but  Col.  JIcKay  and  his  officers  spent  the  day  in  counselling 
as  to  tlie  best  course  of  procedure. 

"It  was  about  resolved  to  make  an  assault,  and  they  towards  evening 
assembled  the  leading  Indian  chiefs,  and  laid  the  plan  before  them;  but  the 
Winnebago  chief,  Sar-cel,  remarked  that  lie  and  his  people  iiad  had  some 
experience  in  assaulting  American  forts  (referring  to  the  attack  on  Fort 
Recovery,  in  1703),  and  that  they  would  not  like  to  resort  to  so  hazardous 
an  experiment,  but  proposed  a  plan  of  springing  a  mine  from  the  river- 
bank  to  blow  «p  the  garrison;  to  which  suggestion,  Col.  McKay  answered, 
'  Go  at  it.'  After  spending  a  part  of  the  evening,  and  penetrating  a  dozen 
or  fifteen  feet,  they  gave  it  up  as  a  bad  job,  as  the  fort  was  several  hun- 
dred feet  from  the  river-bank. 

"  Xolhing  of  moment  occurred  the  third  day,  except  some  occasional 
firing.  Col.  McKay  sent  into  the  country  about  three  miles  for  a  load  of 
straw,  which  was  made  up  in  small  bundles  to  have  in  readiness  to  place,  in 


BISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


125 


the  darkness  of  the  night,  with  kega  of  powder,  near  the  fort,  and  fire  a 
train  of  straw  leading  to  the  powder,  and  thus  make  a  breach  on  the  enclo- 
sure.    But  this  was  only  designed  as  a  dernier  ressort. 

"  During  thi°  day,  or  the  precfding  one,  a  Fox  Indian  received  a  spent- 
ball,  which  lodged  between  his  scalp  and  skidl.  It  was  cut  out;  and  the 
■wound  did  not  interfere  in  his  sharing  in  the  further  events  of  the  siege. 
On  the  fourth  day.  Col.  McKay  resolved  to  accomplish  something  more 
decisive.  About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  with  his  troops  projierly 
stationed,  and  cannon-balls  heated  red-hot  in  a  blacksmith's  forge,  I  was 
sent  to  go  around  and  specially  direct  the  interpreters  to  order  the  Indians 
not  to  fire  on  the  fort  till  the  cannon  should  commence  playing  the  hot-shot, 
and  the  fort  shculd  be  set  on  fire.  Scarcely  had  these  directions  been  given, 
when  the  Americans,  probably  seeing  from  indications  that  a  severe  assault 
of  some  kind  ".vas  about  to  be  made,  raised  the  white  flag.  Two  officers 
now  came  out,  and  met  Col.  McKay;  strict  orders  having  been  given  to  the 
Indians  not  to  fire  on  these  Americans,  on  the  pain  of  being  themselves  fired 
upon  by  the  British  troops.  The  result  was,  that  a  surrender  was  agreed 
upon.  Col.  McKay  should  have  possession  of  the  fort  and  public  stores,  and 
the  Americans  be  permitted  to  retire  unmolested  in  boats  down  the  river. 
By  this  time,  it  was  too  late  to  go  through  a  formal  surrender,  which  was 
postponed  till  next  morning.  When  the  American  flag  was  hauled  down, 
Col.  McKay  was  the  first  to  observe  the  singular  fact,  that,  though  it  was 
completely  riddled  elsewhere  with  balls,  the  representation  of  tlie  Ameri- 
can eagle  was  untouched.  The  Indians,  during  the  whole  four  days,  had 
directed  many  shots  at  the  flag,  and  had  shot  off  one  of  the  cords,  which 
let  the  banner  part  way  down  on  the  flagstaff;  and  there  it  remained  till 
the  surrender." 


Several  days  elapsed  before  arrangements  were  completed  by 
which  to  send  the  prisoners  down  the  river.  Col.  McKay  gave 
the  Americans  their  arms  as  they  embarked.  Gen.  Smith,  in 
his  "  History  of  Wisconsin,"  says,  "  The  utmost  exertions  of  Col. 
McKay  were  required  to  prevent  an  indiscriminate  massacre 
of  the  Americans  by  the  infuriated  Indians,  and  the  lives  of 
the  prisoners  were  for  some  time  in  the  most  imminent  danger, 
as  the  exertions  of  Col.  McKay  in  behalf  of  humanity  were 
doubtful  in  their  results."  Mr.  Grignon,  in  his  "  Recollections," 
further  says,  that  Col.  McKay  had  given  such  strict  orders  to 
the  Indians  against  massacring  or  molesting  the  Americans, 
and  to  the  regulars  and  militia  to  keep  the  Indiiins  in  awe, 
that  nothing,  as  far  as  lie  knew,  transpired  that  had  the  least 
appearance  of  treachery  on  the  part  of  the  natives.  Capt.  Pohl- 
man,  with  his  regulars,  remained  in  command  with  the  two 


126 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


Mackinaw  companies  until  after  the  jieace,  which  ensued  the 
following  year,  when  the  fort  was  evacuated. 

In  connection  with  the  taking  of  Prairie  du  Chien,  it  may  be 
remarked,  that  iNIajor  Campbell  liad  ascended  the  river  from 
St.  Louis,  with  a  squadron  of  boats  and  a  detadnnent  of  United 
States  troops,  for  the  purpose  of  re-enforcing  tlio  garrison  at 
Prairie  du  Chien.  When  lie  arrived  at  llock  Island,  he  held 
some  comniunication  with  Black  Hawk,  Avho  was  apparently 
neuiral,  at  least  not  openly  inimical ;  but  a  party  of  Indians 
came  down  Rock  River  with  the  newy  of  the  capture  of  Prairie 
du  Chien ;  and,  as  tiie  boats  of  Major  Campbell  had  by  this  time 
departed,  they  were  immediately  pursued  by  Black  Hawk's 
band,  and  a  severe  fight  took  jilace,  in  which  the  Indians 
captured  one  of  the  boats,  and  Major  Campbell  liimself  was 
wounded.  The  expedition  continued  down  the  river,  having 
lost  several  men  killed,  and  others  wounded,  in  the  fight. 

A  short  time  after  this  event,  the  British  commander  at  Prai- 
rie du  Chien,  then  called  Fort  McKay,  descended  the  river  to 
Rock  Island,  taking  with  him  two  field-pieces  and  a  detachment 
of  soldiers :  these  lie  placed  in  position  to  check,  or  at  least 
annoy,  any  force  that  might  attempt  to  pass  up  the  river. 


CHAPTER  X. 


EABLY  HISTORY  OP  WISCONSIN. 

The  Early  History  of  the  Lead-Mines  —  The  IjooH  Excitement— Slavery  in  the 
Mines  —  iJesorlptlon  of  the  Country  —  Innults  to  the  WlnnelmKoes  —  Shocking 
MurJers  at  I'ralrle  dii  Chien  —  The  AVlunobagu  Outrages  —  Groat  Excitement 
at  Prairie  ilii  Chlcn  —  Arrival  of  Troops. 


There  was  little  of  general  interest  that  transpired  in  this 
section  of  country  until  after  the  peace  of  1815.  When  that 
event  was  made  known  to  the  Indian  tribes,  many  were  willing 
and  eager  to  make  treaties  of  peace  and  friendship  with  the 
United  States ;  and  Black  Hawk  and  his  band  were  particularly 
urged  to  such  a  measure  by  all  their  fi'iends.  Several  treaties 
were  entered  into  at  the  Portage  des  Sioux,  in  1815,  between 
the  United  States  commissioner  and  various  bands  of  Indians ; 
and  in  May,  1816,  by  the  treaty  at  St.  Louis,  Black  Hawk  con- 
firmed the  treaty  of  1804,  thereby  ceding  the  lan<fs  on  Rock 
River,  on  which  his  village  was  located. 

The  settlements  of  the  whites  continued  to  increase  in  the 
Indian  country ;  and,  doubtless,  many  outrages  were  committed 
bv  'hem  on  the  persons  and  effects  of  the  Indians,  in  order  to 
ha.-icu  their  voluntary  departure  from  the  country  which  they 
had  ceded  to  the  United  States,  anl  in  which  already  govern- 
ment surveys  had  been  made,  and  certificates  of  land  entries 
issued ;  but  these  matters  did  not  extend  in  any  objectionable 
manner  beyond  the  northern  boundary  of  the  State  of  IlUnois. 
A  lucrative  business  was  carried  on  between  the  merchants  of 
St.  Louis  and  the  traders  and  Indians  of  the  Upper  jMississippi. 
Goods  were  sent  to  the  traders,  who,  in  return,  transmitted 
peltries  and  lead.  At  Galena,  the  Indians  had  about  twenty 
furnaces,  which  they  managed   in    their    unskUful    manner; 

128 


nisTonr  of  wisconsis. 


129 


and  Col.  John  Sliaw,  formerly  of  this  State,  states,  that,  between 
ISlf)  and  1820,  lie  made  eight  trips  from  St.  Louis  to  Prairie  du 
Chien,  visiting  the  lead-mines  at  Galena;  and  at  one  time  car- 
ried away  seventy  tons  of  lead. 

The  exact  date  of  the  discovery  of  lead  in  Wisconsin  does  not 
appear;  but  C-  ^)t  '  nathan  (Carver  visited  the  IJluo  Mounds  in 
17CG,  and  speaks  of  lead  as  abounding  there  at  Sunk  Prairie,  on 
the  Wisconsin  River.  lie  says,  "So  plentiful  is  lead  here,  that 
I  saw  liirge  quantities  of  it  lying  about  the  streets  in  the  town 
belonging  to  the  Saukies."  In  1822  the  leud-trade  began  to 
attract  attention ;  and  Mr.  James  Johnson,  a  government  con- 
tractor for  the  army,  made  a  treaty  with  the  Indians,  and  ob- 
tained leave  to  work  the  mines  for  a  limited  time,  probably  four 
years,  as  they  left  in  182G.  Mr.  Johnson  let  in  other  parties  to 
dig ;  and  one  firm  of  the  name  of  Ware  brought  from  fifty  to 
four  hundred  negro  slaves.  In  1826  there  was  a  great  rush  of 
miners  to  Galena,  somewhat  like  the  California  excitement  at  a 
later  period.  Mr.  J.  S.  Miller  located  at  Gratiot's  Grove  ;  John 
Ilay,  near  Platteville ;  William  Adney,  near  Hazel  Green ;  J. 
Armstrong  and  J.  W.  Shulls,  at  Shullsburg;  and  Ebenezer 
Brighara  and  John  Ray,  at  the  Blue  Mounds. 

This  advent  of  the  miners  upon  the  territory  of  the  Winne- 
bago Indians,  without  any  treaty,  deprived  them  of  their  previ- 
ous profit  in  the  lead-trade,  and,  with  other  difliculties,  was  the 
cause  of  much  trouble. 

Col.  Charles  Wliittlesey,  who  made  a  tour  through  Wiscon- 
em  in  1832,  writes  as  follows  in  reference  to  the  mining-coun- 
try:  — 


"  On  the  second  day  we  passed  the  foot  of  the  Blue  Mound.  It  is  a  high 
hill  of  regular  ascent,  overlooking  the  country,  and  sencs  as  a  beacon  to 
the  traveller  thirty  miles  distant.  At  night  we  slept  in  a  bloclc-house  in  the 
mining-district.  Within  sight  of  the  station,  a  newly-made  grave  lay  at  the 
roadside,  in  the  miiist  of  a  solitary  prairie.  The  person  over  whom  it  was 
raised  had  ventured  too  far  froni  the  house,  and  approached  a  thicket  of 
bushes.  Suddenly  a  band  of  concealed  Indians  sprang  upon  him,  with  the 
fatal  whoop  on  their  tongues.  His  scalp,  heart,  and  most  of  his  flesh,  were 
soon  stripped  from  the  body,  and  a  savage  dance  performed  about  the 
remains. 

"  The  country  is  still  prairie,  with  scattering  tnfts  of  inferior  timber. 
The  huts  of  the  miners  had  been  deserted  on  account  of  the  difHculties  now 


130 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


tenninated;  and  the  business  of  making  lead  was  about  to  recommence. 
Occasionally  a  farm  iiii;;lit  be  seen  running  out  from  an  island  of  timber, 
and  supplied  with  comfortable  buildings.  But  most  of  the  improvements 
were  of  a  temporary  nature,  consisting  of  a  lead-furnace  and  the  cabins 
adjacent.  The  process  of  reducing  lead-ore  is  very  simple  and  rapid.  The 
fui'nace  is  a  face-wall,  about  two  feet  thick,  located  upon  a  gentle  slope  of 
the  ground,  with  an  arch  or  passage  through  the  centre.  On  each  side  of 
the  arched  opening,  and  in  the  rear  or  up-liill  side,  two  wing-walls  run  out 
transversely  to  the  face- wall,  between  whicli  the  wood  is  laid.  The  ore  is 
placed  upon  it,  and  a  continual  fire  kept  up.  The  lead  gradually  separates 
from  the  dross,  and  runs  into  a  cavity  in  front  of  the  arch. 

"The  'mining-district'  east  of  the  Mississippi  must  include  ten  thou- 
sand square  miles.  Galena,  or  lead-ore,  is  found  in  veins,  or  threads,  more 
often  in  a  square  form,  of  various  sizes,  and  running  in  all  directions  with 
the  horizon.  They  are  liable  to  disappear  suddenly,  to  enlarge  and  dimin- 
ish in  size,  to  combine  with  other  materials,  rendering  the  operations  of 
mining  very  uncertain.  Their  course  is  generally  straight,  and  not  curved, 
seldom  exceeding  a  foot  in  breadth.  The  analysis  yields  eighty-five  to 
ninety  per  cent  of  lead,  of  which  the  first  smelting  of  the  furnace  extracts 
about  seventy-five  per  c.nt.  It  requires  skill  and  experience  to  discover  the 
vein,  but  very  little  of  either  to  work  it  when  discovered.  The  limestone 
formation  of  Green  Bay  and  lake  Jlichigan  extends  to  this  region,  embra- 
cing copper  ore  at  Mineral  Point,  and  at  other  places.  At  this  time  the 
government  leased  the  ground  to  practical  miners,  who  rendered  a  propor- 
tion of  the  product  in  kind.  In  consequence  of  tiie  derangements  of  the 
times,  although  the  supply  was  small,  lead  was  then  dull  at  three  cents  per 
pound.  The  supply  appears  to  be  inexhaustible.  In  one  respect,  this 
r?gion  differs  from  the  mineral  regions  of  other  countries.  There  are  but  lew 
veins  that  justify  a  pursuit  to  great  depths;  and,  although  they  are  very 
numerous,  the  pits  and  trenches  are  easily  filled  up,  and  the  rich  soil  loft  in- 
capable of  cultivation.  The  great  drawback  upon  the  agricultural  prospects 
of  the  mining-district  ari.ses  from  the  consumption  of  the  little  timber  that 
grows  there  in  melting  the  lead.  IIow  long  the  ,  >rcsence  of  tliis  mineral  has 
been  known,  and  its  value  understood,  is  not  exactly  known;  but  there  are 
mines  which  were  worked  by  the  French  soon  after  they  ascended  the 
Mississippi.  The  Indians  could  scarcely  have  found  use  for  it  before  the 
introduction  of  fire-arms  among  them. 

"Arriving  at  GalcMia,  v. e  found  the  place  crowded  with  people.  The 
mineral  riches  of  the  Dubuque  country  were  well  known;  and  it  was  ex- 
pected that  Gen.  Scott  would  secure  the  title  to  a  considi'i  able  tract  west  of 
the  river,  including  the  richest  mines.  The  negotiation  was  still  pending 
at  Rock  Island  relative  to  the  purchase.  Thousands  of  adventurers  lined 
the  eastern  shore  of  the  Jlississippi,  ready  to  .seize  upon  the  possession  and 
pre-emption  rights  in  the  new  Territory  the  moment  they  became  perfect. 
In  this  case,  as  in  many  otliers,  guards  of  soldiers  wer»  necessary  to  keep 
the  whites  from  taking  unlawful  occupancy  of  Indian  lands.     It  has  become 


JIISTOItY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


131 


fashionable  to  abuse  the  government  for  its  conduct  toward  the  red  men. 
5Iy  observation  lias,  on  the  contrary,  led  me  to  admire,  rather  than  to  cnn- 
dnmn,  the  practice  of  the  Federal  authority  in  thin  respect,  believinjj,  that 
in  general,  its  magnanimity,  kijidnoss,  and  protection  demand  the  lasting 
gratitude  of  the  Indian  race." 


In  the  early  p<irt  of  the  year  1827,  a  party  of  twentj'-four 
Chippewas,  being  on  their  way  to  Fort  SncUing,  at  the  mouth 
of  St.  Peter's  River,  were  surprised  and  attacked  by  a  war-party 
of  the  Winnebagoes ;  and  eiglit  of  them  were  killed.  The  com- 
mandant of  the  United  States  troops  at  the  fort  took  four  of 
the  offending  Winnebagoes  prisoners,  and  (certainly  with  great 
imprudence)  delivered  them  into  the  hands  of  the  exasperated 
Chippewas.  who  immediately  put  tliem  to  death.  This  act  was 
greatly  resented  by  a  chief  of  the  Winnebagoes,  named  "  Red 
Bird,"  and  in  addition  to  this  source  of  enmity  was  to  be  added 
the  daily  encroachment  of  the  whites  in  the  lead-region ;  for  at 
this  time  they  had  overrun  the  mining-country  from  Galena  to 
the  Wisconsin  River.  In  the  spirit  of  revenge  for  the  killing 
of  the  iuMY  Winncbagoo  ■;,  Red  Bird  led  a  war-party  against  the 
Chippewas,  by  whom  he  was  defeated,  and  thus,  having  been 
disappointed,  he  turned  the  force  of  his  resentment  against  the 
whites,  whom  he  considered  as  having  not  only  invaded  his 
country,  but  as  having  aided  and  abetted  his  enemies  in  the 
destruction  of  his  peojile. 

Some  time  previously,  a  murder  by  the  Winnebagoes  had 
been  committed  in  the  family  of  a  Mr.  Mcthodc,  near  Prairie  du 
Chien,  in  which  several  persons  had  been  killed.  It  was  appar- 
ent that  a  spirit  of  enmity  between  the  Indians  and  the  wliites 
had  been  now  effectually  stirred  up ;  and,  for  the  first  time  since 
the  war  of  1812,  disturbances  were  daily  looked  for  by  the 
settlers  and  minei-s. 

On  the  28th  of  June,  1827,  Red  Bird,  We-Kaw,  and  three  of 
tlieir  companions,  T.itcred  the  liouse  of  Registre  (iiignier,  about 
three  miles  from  Prairie  du  Chien,  where  they  remained  several 
hours.  At  last,  when  ]Mr.  Gagnicr  least  expected  it.  Red  Bird 
levelled  his  gun,  and  shot  him  dead  on  liis  hearthstone.  A  j)er- 
son  in  the  building,  by  the  name  of  Sip  Cap,  who  was  a  hired 
man,  was  slain  at  the  same  time  by  We-Kaw.  ^Madame  Gagnier 
turned  to  fly  with  her  infant  of  eighteen  months.     As  she  was 


132 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


i;l)nut  to  leap  through  the  window,  tlio  child  was  torn  from  hor 
ayins  by  We-Kaw,  stabbed,  scalped,  and  thrown  violently  on  the 
floor  as  dead. 

The  murderer  then  attacked  the  woman,  but  gave  way  when 
she  snatched  up  a  gun  that  was  leaning  against  the  wall,  and 
presented  it  to  his  breast.  She  then  effected  her  escape.  Her 
eldest  son,  a  lad  of  ten  years,  also  shunned  the  murderers ;  and 
they  both  arrived  in  the  village  at  the  same  time.  The  alarm 
was  soon  given ;  but,  Avhen  the  avengers  of  blood  arrived  at 
Cragnier's  house,  they  found  in  it  nothing  living  but  his  mangled 
infant.  It  was  carried  to  the  village,  and,  incredible  as  it  may 
seem,  it  recovered. 

Red  Bird  anil  his  companions  immediately  proceeded  from 
the  scene  of  their  crime  to  the  rendezvous  of  their  band.  Dur- 
ing tiieir  absence,  thirty-seven  of  the  warriors  Avho  acknowl- 
edged the  authority  of  Red  Bird,  had  assembled,  with  their 
wives  and  cliildren,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Bad  Axe  River. 
They  received  the  murderers  with  joy,  and  loud  approbation  of 
their  exploit.  A  keg  of  liijuor  which  they  had  secured  was  set 
abroach ;  and  the  red  men  began  to  drink,  and,  as  their  spirits 
rose,  to  boast  of  what  they  had  already  done  and  intended  to  do. 
Two  days  did  they  continue  to  revel ;  and  on  the  third  the 
source  of  their  excitement  gave  out.  They  were,  at  about  four 
in  the  ai'ternonn.  dissipating  the  last  fumes  of  their  excitement 
in  the  scalp-dance,  when  they  descried  one  of  the  keel-boats, 
which  had  a  few  days  before  passed  up  the  river  witli  provisions 
for  the  troops  at  Fort  Snelling,  on  her  return  in  cliarge  of  Mr. 
Lindsay.  Forthwith  a  proposal  to  take  her,  and  massacre  the 
orev, ,  was  made,  and  carried  by  acclamation.  They  counted 
upon  doing  this  without  risk ;  for  they  had  examined  her  on  the 
way  up,  and  supposed  there  were  no  arms  on  board. 

Mr.  Lindsay's  boats  had  descended  the  river  as  far  as  the 
village  of  Wa-ba-shaw,  where  they  expected  an  attack.  The 
Didcotahs  on  shore  were  dancing  the  war-dance,  and  hailed 
their  ajjproach  with  insults  and  menaces,  but  c'ld  not,  how- 
ever, offer  to  obstruct  their  passage.  The  whites  now  sup- 
])(iscd  the  danger  over ;  and,  a  strong  wind  at  that  moment 
beginning  to  blow  uj)  stream,  the  boats  parted  companj'.  So 
Ktrong  was  the  wind,  that  all  the  force  of  the  sweeps  coiUd 


184 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


scarcely  stem  it ;  and,  by  the  time  the  foremost  boat  was  near 
the  encampment  at  the  mouth  of  the  Bad  Axe  River,  the  crew 
were  very  willing  to  stop  and  rest.  One  or  two  Frenchmen,  or 
half-breeds,  who  were  on  board,  observed  hostile  appearances  on 
shore,  and  advised  the  rest  to  '  ■"'■  th'"  middle  of  the  stream ; 
but  their  counsel  was  disregarac  ost  of  the   crew  were 

Americans,  who,  as  usual  with  our  cj  rymen,  combined  a  pro- 
found ignorance  of  Indian  eliaracter  witii  a  thorough  contempt 
for  Indian  prowess.  They  urged  tlie  boat  directly  toward  the 
camp  with  all  the  force  of  the  sweeps.  There  Avere  sixteen  men 
on  deck.  It  may  be  well  to  observe  here,  that  this,  like  all  keel- 
boats  used  in  the  J^Iississippi  Valley,  was  built  almost  exactly 
on  the  model  of  the  I'.rie  and  Middlesex  Canal  boats. 

The  men  were  rallying  their  French  companions  on  their  ap- 
prehension, and  the  boat  (named  "  Oliver  II.  Perry)  "  was  within 
thirty  yards  of  the  shore,  Avhen  suddenly  tlie  trees  and  rocks 
rang  witli  the  blood-chilling,  ear-piercing  tones  of  the  war- 
whoop  ;  and  a  volley  of  rifle-balls  rained  upon  the  deck.  Hap- 
pily the  Winnebagoeu  had  not  yet  recovered  from  the  effects  of 
their  debauch,  and  their  arms  were  not  steady.  One  man  only 
fell  from  their  fire.  He  was  a  little  negro  named  Peter.  His  leg 
was  dreadfully  shattered,  and  he  afterwards  died  of  the  wound. 
A  second  volley  soon  came  from  the  shore ;  but,  as  the  men  were 
lying  at  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  they  all  escaped  but  one,  who 
was  shot  through  the  heart.  Encouraged  by  the  non-resistance, 
the  Winnebagoes  rushed  to  thoir  canoes,  with  intent  to  board. 
The  whites,  having  recovered  from  their  first  panic,  seized  tlicir 
arms ;  and  the  boarders  Avere  received  witli  a  very  severe  dis- 
charge. In  one  canoe,  two  savages  were  killed  with  the  same 
bullet,  and  several  were  wounded.  The  attack  was  continued 
until  night,  when  one  of  the  party  (named  Mandeville),  who 
had  assumed  command,  sprang  into  the  water,  followed  by  four 
others,  Avho  succeeded  in  setting  the  boat  afloat,  and  went  down 
the  stream. 

Thirty-seven  Indians  were  engaged  in  tliis  battle,  seven  of 
whom  were  killed,  and  fourteen  wounded.  They  managed  to 
put  six  hundred  and  ninety-three  bullets  into  and  tlirough  the 
boat.  Two  of  the  crew  were  killed  outright,  two  mortally,  and 
two  slightly  woiuuled.     The  i^resence  of  mind  of  ^landeville 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


135 


imdoubtecUj'  saved  tlie  rest,  as  well  as  the  boat.  Mr.  Lindsay's 
boat,  the  rear  one,  did  not  reach  the  mouth  of  the  Bad  Axe 
until  midnight.  Tlie  Indians  opened  a  fire  upon  her,  which  was 
promptly  returned ;  but,  owing  to  the  darkness,  no  injury  was 
done,  and  the  boat  passed  on  safely. 

The  date  of  the  attack  on  these  keel-boats  is  stated  by  Judge 
J.  H.  Lockwood  to  have  been  June  26.  Gen.  Smith's  "  History 
of  Wisconsin  "  says  June  30,  on  the  authority  of  Judge  Doty. 
It  is,  however,  quite  certain,  that  the  murder  of  the  Gagnier 
family,  and  the  boat-attacks,  were  on  the  same  day. 

Great  was  the  alarm  at  J'ruirie  du  Chien  when  the  boats 
arrived  there.  The  people  left  their  houses  and  farms,  and 
crowded  into  the  dilapidated  fort.  An  express  was  immediately 
sent  to  Galena,  and  another  to  Fort  Snelling,  for  assistance.  A 
company  of  upwards  of  a  himdred  volunteers  soon  arrived  from 
Galena,  and  the  minds  of  the  inhabitants  were  quieted.  In  a 
few  days,  four  imperfect  companies  arrived  from  Fort  Snelling. 
The  consternation  of  the  people  of  the  lead-mines  was  great,  and 
in  all  the  frontier  settlements.  This  portion  of  the  country  then 
contained,  as  is  supposed,  about  five  thousand  inhabitants.  A 
great  many  of  them  fled  from  the  country. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

EAELY   HISTORY  —  WLNNEBAGO   WAR. 

Major  Whistler's  Operatioua — The  Surreuder  near  the  Portage  —  Knd  of  the 
War  —  Treaty  of  Pea  o  —  An  Indian  prefers  Honor  to  Life  —  A  Kative  prizes 
his  Word  liiglier  tlian  Life  —  A  Well-merited  Reprieve. 


On  the  1st  of  September,  1827,  Major  William  Whistler,  with 
governmeut  troops,  .arrived  at  the  portage  ;  and,  while  here,  an 
express  arrived  from  Gen.  Atkinson,  announcing  his  approach, 
and  directing  the  former  to  lialt  ami  fortify  himself  at  the  port- 
age, and  wait  his  arrival.  The  object  of  the  joint  expedition  of 
Gen.  Atkinson  from  Jefferson  barracks,  below  St.  Louis,  and 
of  Major  Whistler  from  Fort  Howard,  on  Green  Bay,  was  to  cap- 
ture those  who  had  committed  the  murders  at  Prairie  du  Cliien, 
and  put  a  stop  to  any  further  aggression.  At  the  opening  of 
the  council  at  La  Butte  des  Morts,  between  tlie  government 
and  the  Indians,  the  Winnebagoes  were  advised  that  the  secu- 
rity of  their  people  lay  in  the  surrender  of  the  murderers  of  the 
Gagnier  family.  While  Major  Whistler  was  at  the  portage,  he 
received  a  call  in  a  mysterious  way.  An  Indian  came  to  his 
tent,  and  informed  him,  that,  at  about  three  o'clock  the  next 
day,  "  they  will  come  in."  In  reply  to  the  question,  "  Who  will 
come  in  ?  "  he  said,  "  lied  Bird  and  We-Kau."  After  making 
tliis  answer,  he  retired  by  the  way  he  came.  At  three  o'clock 
the  same  day,  another  Indian  came,  and  took  position  in  nearly 
the  same  place,  and  in  tlie  same  way,  when,  to  like  questions, 
he  gave  like  answers;  and  at  sundown  a  third  came,  confirm- 
ing what  the  two  had  said,  adding  that  hifhad,  to  secure  that 
object,  given  to  the  families  of  the  murderers  nearly  all  his 
property. 

Col.  McKcnney  in  his  "  Tour  of  the  Lakes,"  1827,  who  ac- 

136 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


137 


companied  Judge  Doty  as  one  of  the  commissioners  to  meet  the 
Indians  iit  La  Butte  des  Mort,  and  who  was  of  Major  Wliistler's 
party,  referring  to  this  matter,  says,  — 

"  There  was  something  heroic  in  this  voluntary  surrender.  The  giviiicr- 
away  of  property  to  the  families  of  the  guilty  parties  had  nothing  to  do  with 
their  determination  to  devote  tiiemselves  for  tlio  good  of  tlieir  people,  but 
only  to  reconcile  those  who  wore  about  to  be  bereaved  to  the  dreadful  exp(v 
di;;nt.  The  heroism  of  the  purpose  is  seen  in  the  fact  that  the  murders  com- 
mitted at  Prairie  du  Chien  were  not  wanton,  but  in  retaliation  for  wrongs 
committed  on  this  people  by  the  whites.  The  parties  murdered  at  the  prai- 
rie were,  doubtless,  innocent  of  the  wrongs  and  outrages  of  which  the  In- 
dians complained;  but  the  law  of  Indian  retaliation  does  not  require  that  ho 
alone  who  commits  a  wrong  shall  suffer  for  it.  One  scalp  is  held  due  for 
another,  no  matter  whose  head  is  tiiken,  provided  it  bo  torn  from  the  crown 
of  the  family,  or  people  wlio  may  have  made  a  resort  to  this  law  a  neces- 
sity." 

About  noon  of  the  day  following,  says  the  same  writer,  — 

"  There  were  seen  descending  a  mound  on  the  portage  a  body  of  In- 
dians. Some  were  mounted,  and  some  wore  on  foot.  By  the  aid  of  a  glass, 
we  could  discern  the  direction  to  be  towards  our  position.  Tliey  bore  no 
arms,  and  we  were  at  no  loss  to  undei-stand  that  tlie  promise  made  by  the 
tliree  Indians  was  about  to  be  fulfilled.  In  the  course  of  half  an  hour,  they 
had  approached  within  a  .short  distance  of  the  crossing  of  Fox  River,  when 
on  a  sudden  we  heard  a  singing.  Those  who  were  familiar  with  the  air 
said,  '  It  is  a  death-song.'  When  still  nearer,  some  present,  who  knew  him, 
said,  'It  is  Tied  Dird  singing  his  death-song.'  The  moment  a  halt  was 
made,  preparatory  to  crossing  over,  two  scalp-yells  were  heard. 

"  The  Menomoneos  and  other  Indians  wlio  had  accompanied  us  wore 
lying  careli'.ssly  about  the  ground,  regardless  of  what  was  going  on;  but, 
when  tlie  '  scalp-yells  '  were  uttered,  they  sprang  as  one  man  to  their  feet, 
seized  their  rifles,  and  were  ready  for  battle.  They  were  at  no  loss  to  know 
■what  these  '  yells  '  were;  l)ut  they  had  not  lieard  with  suffieient  accuracy  to 
decide  whether  they  indicated  scalps  to  bo  taken  or  given,  but  doubtless  in- 
ferred the  first. 

"  Bargi.;  were  sent  across  to  receive,  and  an  escort  of  military  to  accom- 
pany them  within  our  lines.  The  white  flag  which  we  had  seen  in  the  dis- 
tance was  borne  by  Ued  Piird. 

"  And  now  the  advance  of  the  Indians  had  reached  half  np  the  ascent  of 
the  bluff  on  which  was  our  encampment.  In  the  lead  was  Car-i-mi-nie,  a 
distinguished  chief.  Arriving  on  tlie  level  upon  which  was  our  encamp- 
ment, and  order  being  called,  C'ar-i-mi-nio  spoke,  saying,  '  Tiiey  are  here. 
Like  braves  they  have  come  in ;  treat  them  as  braves;  do  not  put  them  in 
irons.'  Tliis  address  was  made  to  me.  I  told  him  I  was  not  the  big  cap- 
tain.    Ilis  talk  nmst  be  made  to  Major  Whistler,  who  would,  I  had  no  doubt, 


188 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIS. 


do  whut  was  right.  Jlr.  Marsh,  tlie  sub-agent,  being  there,  an  advance  was 
made  to  liim,  and  a  liopc  expressed  that  the  prisoners  might  be  turned  ovei 
to  him." 

For  the  remainder  of  the  incidents  connected  with  this  sur- 
render Mr.  McKeiuiey  quotes  from  a  letter  adtlressed  by  liim  to 
Hon.  James  Barbour,  secretary  of  war :  — 

"  The  military  liad  been  prt!viously  drawn  out  in  a  line.  Tlii>  Menomo- 
nee  and  WabanackiR  (Oiioida)  Iiulian.s  were  in  groups,  upon  tlii'ir  liainiclics, 
on  our  left  ilank.  On  thu  ri.t;ht  Nvas  tlie  band  of  nuisic,  a  little  in  advance 
of  the  line.  In  front  of  the  centre,  about  ten  paces  distant,  were  the  mur- 
derers. On  their  right  and  left  were  those  who  had  accompanied  thorn, 
forming  a  semicircle;  the  magnificent  Red  liird  and  the  miserable-looking 
AVoKau  a  little  in  advance  of  tlie  centre.  All  eyes  were  fixed  on  tiie  lied 
Itird.  as  well  they  might  bo;  for,  of  all  the  Indians  I  oversaw,  he  is,  without 
exception,  the  most  perfect  in  form,  face,  and  gesture.  In  hcigiit  ho  is 
about  six  fci^t,  straight,  but  witliout  restraint.  His  proportions  arc  those 
of  most  exact  symmetry;  and  these  embrace  the  entire  man,  from  his  head 
to  his  feet.  During  my  attempted  analysis  of  this  face,  I  could  not  but 
ask  myself.  Can  this  man  be  a  murderer? 

'•  He  and  AVe-Kau  were  told  to  sit  down.  At  tliis  moment  the  band 
struck  up  Plcyel's  Hymn.  Every  tiling  was  still.  Red  IJird  turned  his 
eyes  toward  the  band.  The  nuisie  having  ceased,  ho  took  up  his  poueli,  and, 
taking  from  it  kinnikinnic  and  tobacco,  cut  the  latter  in  the  palm  of  his 
hand,  after  the  Indian  fashion;  then,  rubbing  the  two  togetlier,  filled  the 
bowl  of  his  calumet,  struck  fi'o  on  a  bit  of  punk  with  his  flint  and  steel, 
lighted,  and  smoked  it.  All  sat,  except  tlie  speaker.  The  subject  of  what 
they  said  w;is  as  follows  :  — 

"We  were  recjuired  to  bring  in  the  murderers.  They  had  no  power 
over  any,  except  two  :  the  third  had  gone  away ;  and  these  had  voluntarily 
agreed  to  come  in,  and  give  themselves  up.  As  their  friends,  they  had  come 
with  them.  They  hoped  their  white  brothers  would  agree  to  accept  the 
horses,  of  which  there  were,  perhaps,  twenty;  the  meaning  of  wliieli  was, 
to  take  them  in  commutation  for  the  hves  of  tlieir  two  friends.  They  asked 
kind  treatment  for  them,  and  earnestly  besought  that  tliey  might  not  be  put 
in  irons,  and  concluded  by  asking  for  a  little  tobacco,  and  something  to  eat. 

"  Tliey  were  answered,  and  told  in  substance  that  they  h.ad  done  well  thus 
to  come  in.  I?y  having  done  so,  they  liad  turned  away  our  guns,  and  saved 
thoir  people.  They  were  admonished  against  placing  tiienLselves  in  a  like 
situation  in  tlie  future,  and  advised,  when  they  were  aggrieved,  not  to  resort 
to  violence,  but  to  go  to  their  agent,  who  would  inform  the  (rreat  Father  of 
their  complaints,  and  he  would  redress  their  grievances  ;  that  their  friends 
should  be  treated  kindly,  and  tried  by  the  same  laws  by  which  their  Great 
Fatiier's  white  children  were  tried  ;  that,  for  tiie  present,  Red  llird  and 
Wo-lvau  should  not  be  put  in  irons  ;  that  they  sliould  all  have  Bometiiing  to 
eat,  and  tobacco  to  smoke. 


140 


IJ I  STORY  OF    W  J  SCON  SIN. 


"  Having  beard  this,  Red  Bird  stood  up;  the  commanding  officer,  Major 
Whistler,  a  few  paces  iu  front  of  the  centre  of  the  line,  facing  him.  After 
a  moment's  pause,  and  a  quick  survey  of  the  troops,  ho  spoke,  saying,  '/ 
am  ready.'  'i'lien,  advancing  a  step  or  two,  ho  paused,  saying,  'I  do  not 
wish  to  ho  put  ill  irons.  Let  mo  he  free.  1  have  given  away  my  hfe:  it  is 
gone  '  [stooping,  and  taking  some  dust  hetwceii  his  finger  and  thunih,  and 
Mowing  it  away],  'iikotiiat,'  eying  the  dust  as  it  fell  and  vanished  from 
his  sight,  adding,  '  I  would  not  take  it  back  :  iV  is  f/one. '  Having  thus  spoken, 
ho  threw  ins  liaiids  behind  him,  and  marched  up  to  Major  Whistler,  breast 
to  breast.  A  platoon  was  wheeled  backwards  from  the  centre  of  the  line, 
when,  the  major  stepping  asiile,  Red  15ir<l  ancl  We-Kau  marched  through 
the  lino,  in  cliargo  of  a  file  of  men,  to  a  tent  provided  for  them  in  the  rear, 
where  a  guard  was  set  over  them.  The  comrades  of  the  two  captives  then 
left  the  ground  by  the  way  they  had  come,  taking  with  them  our  advice,  and 
a  supply  of  meat,  flour,  and  tobacco. 

"  Wc-Kau,  the  miserable-looking  b'ing,  the  accomplice  of  tho  Red 
Bird,  was  iu  all  things  the  opposite  of  that  unfortunate  bravo.  Never 
were  two  persons  ")  totally  unlike.  1'lie  one  seLincd  a  prince,  and  as  if 
born  to  command,  i,  .d  worthy  to  be  obeyed  ;  the  other,  as  if  he  had  been 
born  to  be  hanged,  —  meagre,  cold,  dirty  in  his  person  and  dress,  crooked  in 
form,  like  the  starved  wolf,  gaunt,  hungj',  and  bloodthirsty;  his  entire  ap- 
pearance indicating  the  presence  of  a  spirit  waiy,  cruel,  and  treacherous. 
The  prisoner.^  were  committed  into  safe  keeping  at  I'rairio  du  Chien,  to 
await  their  trial  in  tho  regular  courts  of  justice  for  murder." 


In  the  course  of  the  year,  the  people  of  the  lead-mines  in- 
creased in  numbers  and  in  strength,  and  encroached  upon  the 
Winnebago  lands.  The  Winnebagocs  complained  in  vain.  The 
next  spring  the  murderers  of  JMethode  and  tlie  otlier  Indian 
prisoners  were  tried,  convicted,  and  sentenced  to  death.  A 
deputation  of  the  tribe  went  to  Washington  to  solicit  their 
pardon.  President  Adams  granted  it  on  the  imjjlied  condition 
that  the  tribe  would  cede  the  lands  then  in  the  possession  of 
tho  miners.  The  Winnebagocs  have  kept  their  word,  and 
Madame  Gagnier  has  been  compensated  for  the  loss  of  her 
husband  and  the  mutilation  of  her  infant.  At  the  treaty  held 
at  Prairie  du  Chien  in  1829,  provision  wa.i  made  for  two  sec- 
tions of  land  to  Madame  Gagnier  and  her  two  children ;  and 
the  government  agreed  to  pay  her  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars  per 
annimi  for  fii'teen  years,  to  be  deducted  from  the  annuity  to  tlie 
Winnebago  Indians. 

Red  Bird  died  in  prison ;  and  We-Kau  died  of  the  small-pox 
at  the  prairie,  in  183G.     In  closing  this  accomit  of  the  troubles 


11 /STORY  OF    WlSCOtfSfX. 


141 


at  Prairie  du  Chien,  we  pivc  an  anecdote  which  places  the 
Winnebago  charactor  in  a  more  aniialile  light  than  any  before 
rchited.  Tiie  militia  of  I'rairie  dn  C'hien,  inunediately  after  the 
aft'air  of  the  boats,  seized  the  old  chief,  I)e-kau-ray,  and  four 
other  Indians  ;  and  he  was  informed,  that,  if  Red  Bird  hhoidd  not 
be  given  uj)  within  a  ccrtuin  time,  he  and  the  others  were  to 
die  in  his  place.  Tiiis  he  steadfastly  believed.  A  messenger, 
a  young  Indian,  was  sent  to  inform  the  tribe  of  the  state  of 
affairs ;  and  several  days  had  elapsed,  and  no  information  was 
received  of  the  murderers.  The  dreadful  day  was  near  at  liand ; 
and  De-kau-ray,  being  in  bad  state  of  health,  asked  permission 
of  the  officer  to  go  to  the  river  to  indulge  in  his  long-accustomed 
habit  of  bathing  in  order  to  improve  his  health ;  upon  which 
Col.  Snelling  told  him,  if  he  would  promise,  on  tlie  iionor  of 
a  chief,  tiiat  he  would  not  leave  town,  he  might  have  his  lib- 
erty, and  enjoy  all  his  privileges,  until  the  day  appointed  for  his 
execution.  Accordingly,  he  first  gave  his  hand  to  the  colonel, 
thanking  him  for  his  friendly  offer,  then  raised  both  hands  aloft, 
and  in  the  most  solemn  adjuration  promised  that  he  would  not 
leave  the  bounds  prescribed ;  and  said,  if  he  had  a  hundred  lives, 
he  would  sooner  lose  them  all  than  forfeit  his  word.  lie  was 
then  set  at  liberty.  He  was  advised  to  flee  to  the  wilderness, 
and  make  liis  escape.  "  But  no  ! "  said  he  :  "  do  you  think  I 
prize  life  above  honor?"  He  then  complacentl}'  remained  until 
nine  days  of  the  ten  which  he  had  to  live  had  elapsed,  and 
still  nothing  was  heard  promising  the  apprehension  of  the 
murderers.  His  immediate  death  became  apparent ;  but  no 
alteration  could  be  seen  in  the  countenance  of  the  chief.  It 
BO  happened,  tlu't,  on  that  day.  Gen.  Atkinson  arrived,  with  his 
troops,  from  JeL'^rson  barracks  ;  and  the  order  for  the  execution 
was  countermanded,  and  the  Indians  permitted  to  return  to 
their  homes.  "There  can  be  no  doubt,"  says  Judge  Doty, 
"  that  the  murder  referred  to  was  intended  by  the  Winnebagoes 
as  the  fii'st  act  of  hostility  in  the  commencement  of  a  war  upon 
the  whites." 

It  is  an  error  that  many  writers  have  fallen  into,  in  saying 
that  some  of  the  Indians  implicated  in  this  tragedy  were  exe- 
cuted.    This  is  not  so :  no  one  was  executed. 

This  outbreak  was  generally  termed  the  "  Winnebago  War," 


142 


HISTORY  OF    WISCOSSIN. 


in  contra-{lit*tinction  to  the  Black  Hawk  war  of  1832.  Thia 
first  outbreak  was  soon  quieted.  The  re.-.toiatiun  of  traiiiiuil- 
lity  brouglit  with  it,  as  before  roinurked,  an  influx  of  miners 
and  settlers  in  the  Itad-region ;  and  an  impulse  was  quickly 
given  to  a  great  portion  of  Western  Wisconsin,  which  afforded 
every  promise  of  future  prosperity.  The  lake-shore  and  the 
interior  of  the  Territory  did  not,  as  yet,  in  an}-  considerable 
degree,  receive  the  benefits  of  industrial  immigration. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


PIONEER  RECOLLECTIONS. 


Early  Softlors  — Pioneer  Agriculture  — Mills  — Prices  ami  Features  of  TrafBc  — 
esting  Reminiscences  —  Sketches  of  Travel  and  Adventure. 

So  )ount  of  the  manner  and    customs  of   the  early 

settlers  of  the  Territory  will  prove  interesting.  It  Avill  be 
remcraberetl  that  Green  Bay  and  Prairie  du  Chien  were  the 
only  places  where  the  whites  cultivated  the  arts  of  peace, 
before  the  lands  in  other  portions  came  into  possession  of  the 
government.  At  Prairie  du  Chien  the  farmers  were  a  thrfity 
and  industrious  people,  perhaps  more  so  than  at  Green  Bay. 
They  raised  a  large  quantity  of  small  grain,  such  as  wlieat, 
barley,  oats,  pease,  and  also  some  potatoes  and  onions.  Every 
two  or  three  farmers,  says  Judge  Lockwood,  had  a  horse 
flouring-mill ;  the  stones  being  cut  from  the  granite  rock  found 
in  the  country.  There  they  ground  their  wheat,  and  sifted  the 
floiu-  by  hand.  The  surplus  flour  was  sold  to  the  Indian  traders 
for  goods,  or  exchanged  with  the  Indians  for  venison,  ducks  and 
geese,  or  dressed  deer-skins,  as  there  was  no  money  in  circula- 
tion in  the  country.  Any  purchase  made  was  payable  in  goods 
from  the  traders,  or  flour  from  the  inhabitants.  The  manner  in 
which  the  traders  dealt  with  tlie  farmers  was  as  follows  :  They 
let  the  farmer  set  his  price  on  any  thing  he  had  to  sell,  without 
grumbling,  or  saying  any  thing  about  its  beii'g  high,  as  it  was 
payable  in  goods,  the  trader  charging  his  price  for  the  goods ; 
so  that  each  party  got  all  he  asked,  and  neither  had  cause 
for  complaint :  but,  of  course,  the  trader  was  not  the  loser  by 
the  transaction.  Mr.  M.  Brisbois  related  a  transaction  to 
Judge  Lockwood,  which  took  place  between  himself  and  a 
farmer  by  the  name  of  Lariviere.    This  man  was  ambitious 

148 


144 


njiTonr  or  w /scons rN. 


to  pass  with  his  neij^hbors  for  the  best  farmer  in  the  country, 
and  went  to  Mr.  Brisbois  to  see  what  he  was  paying  for 
flour,  which  at  tliat  time  was  worth  six  dolhu's  per  hundred 
pounds.  But  Mr.  Lariviere,  desirous  of  the  opportunity  of 
boasting  to  his  neighbors  that  he  had  gotten  more  for  Ms 
flour  timu  thej'  did,  expressed  a  wi.sli  tliat  j\Ir.  Brisbois  would 
pay  liim  more  tlian  tlie  marlvet-prico  for  the  same ;  wliich  the 
former  declined  to  do.  "  Oh  !  "  said  Mr.  Lariviere  :  "  3'ou  can 
make  it  up  by  charging  more  for  the  goods  with  which  you 
pay  me  ;  "  r>nd  so  they  closed  the  bargain,  not  to  Mr.  Brisbois' 
loss.  The  prices  compared  somewhat  like  this:  when  flour 
was  worth  eight  dollars  per  hundred  pounds,  hyson  or  young 
hyson  tea  was  worth  eight  dollars  per  pound  ;  if  the  flour 
was  Avorth  only  six  dollars,  tea  would  remain  the  same  price. 
When  the  farmer  got  nine  dollars  per  bushel  for  onions, 
and  one  dollar  per  dozen  for  eggs,  lie  paid  the  above  price 
for  tea.  The  women  at  the  prairie,  mostly  daughters  of  the 
'ndian  traders,  liad  been  raised  in  the  habit  of  drinking  a  great 
>'jal  of  tea  in  the  Indian  country,  where  other  beverage  for 
children  couhl  not  be  procured  :  and  it  thus  became,  from  long 
habit  with  them,  almost  a  necessary  of  life,  and  they  would 
make  any  sacrifice  to  obtain  their  favorite  beverage.  When 
(^g'^X-^  were  worth  one  dollar  jior  dozen,  rosin  soap  was  worth 
one  dollar  per  pound ;  and  calico  that  at  this  date  would  be  f.;old 
for  ten  or  fifteen  cents  per  yard  was  then  sold  at  two  dollars 
per  yard,  clay  pipes  at  forty  cents  each,  and  conuuon  tobacco 
at  about  two  dollars  per  pound.  So  much  flour  was  made  at 
Prairie  du  Cliicn  at  this  time,  that  in  1820  Joseph  Kolette 
contracted  with  the  go.v.riiment  to  supply  the  two  companies 
at  Fort  Crav.  lord  with  it ;  they  preferring  tlie  coarse  flour  of 
the  prairie,  which  was  sweet,  to  tiie  fin(;  flour  transported  by 
keel-boats  on  the  long  voyage  fr<i;n  Pittsburg,  wliicli  would 
be  sour  on  its  arrival. 

The  lands  about  Prairie  du  Cliien  were  not  purchased  from 
tho  Indians,  and  none  surveyed,  except  the  private  claims  on 
the  prairie,  for  many  years  after  the  government  took  posses- 
sion of  it  as  a  military  post.  There  were  not,  until  1835,  any 
Americans  who  emigrated  to  the  prairie  for  settlement ;  and 
even  then,  as  the  country  about  was  luit  in  market,  very  few 
eame. 


146 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


It  may  be  remarked,  that,  of  all  the  foreigners  that  came  to 
this  section  of  the  country,  the  Canadians  of  French  extraction 
seemed  to  have  the  least  idea  of  the  privileges  of  American 
citizenship.  It  appeared  almost  impossible  to  ins+'l  in  their 
minds  any  thing  of  the  independence  of  self-government ;  and 
this  was  not  entirely  confined  to  the  uneducated,  but  would 
apply  more  or  less  to  the  partially-educated  classes.  They  did 
not  consider  it  a  privilege  to  vote  for  the  officers  who  were  to 
govern  them,  and  considered  it  only  desirable  to  use  the  elective 
franchise  in  order  to  gratify  some  friend  who  has  asked  them 
to  vote  for  himself  or  his  _  candidate  ;  and,  when  so  requested, 
they  were  too  polite  to  refuse,  unless  a  previous  promise  had 
be"n  made  to  some  other. 

The  early  inhabitants  of  Green  Bay  were  very  much  the 
same  as  at  Prairie  du  Chicn.  In  182-4  there  were  but  six  or 
eight  resident  American  families ;  and  the  families  of  the 
officers  stationed  at  Fort  Howard,  in  number  about  the  same. 
The  character  of  the  people  Avas  a  compound  of  civilization 
and  primitive  simplicity,  exhibitinc:  the  polite  and  lively  charac- 
teristics of  the  French,  and  the  thoughtlessness  and  improvi- 
dence of  the  aborigines.  Possessing  the  virtues  of  hospitality, 
and  the  warmth  of  heart  unknown  to  residents  of  cities, 
untrammelled  by  the  etiquette  and  conventional  rules  of 
modern  "  Ir  '  life,"  they  were  ever  ready  to  receive  and  enter- 
tain their  iimals,  and  more  intent  upon  the  enjoyment  of  tlie 
present  than  to  lay  up  store,  or  make  provision,  for  the  future. 
With  few  Avants,  and  contented  and  happy  hearts,  tliey  found 
enjoyment  in  the  merry  dance,  the  sleigh-ride,  and  the  exciting 
horse-race,  and,  doubtless,  experienced  more  true  happiness 
and  conlpntment  tlian  the  plodding,  calculating,  and  money- 
seeking  people  of  the  present  day.  This  was  the  character  of 
the  settlers  who  occupied  this  country  before  the  arrival  of  the 
Yankees,  —  a  class  now  entirely  extinct,  or  lost  sight  of  by  the 
prcsf'nt  population  ;  but  it  is  one  wiiicli  unites  the  present  with 
the  past,  and  i'ur  \\liiim  tiio  old  seltlera  entertain  feelings  of 
veneration  and  respect. 

Hon.  11.  S.  Baird  says,  — 

"  During'  the  pari}'  years  of  my  rcsidnncR  hore,  the  facial  circle,  nltliough 
limiteil,  was  by  iiu  iul'Liiis  iiifciLjiiiticuiit.     It  was  composud  of  tlio  luiuilics 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


147 


of  the  garrison  and  the  Americans,  and  several  of  the  oiJ  settlers.  If  it 
was  small,  it  was  also  united  by  the  ties  of  friendship  and  good  feeling. 
Free  from  the  formalities  and  customs  which  are  observed  by  the  elite  of 
the  present  day,  we  met  to  enjoy  ourselves,  more  like  members  of  one  family 
than  as  strangers.  The  young  people  of  that  period  (and  all  felt  young 
then)  would  assemble  on  a  few  hours'  notice  at  the  house  of  a  neighbor, 
without  form  or  ceremony.  Young  ladies  were  then  expected  to  appear 
at  an  early  hour  in  the  evening,  and  not  at  the  usual  hour  of  retiring  to 
rest ;  nor  were  they  required  to  appear  in  court  or  fancy  dresses.  The 
merry  dance  followed,  and  all  enjoyed  themselves  until  the  early  hours  in 
the  morning.  One  custom  prevailed  universally  among  all  classes,  even 
extending  to  the  Indians,  —  that  of  devoting  the  holidays  to  festivity  and 
amusement,  but  especially  that  of  '  callin;]^ '  on  New  Year's  Day.  This 
custom  was  confined  to  no  classic  oarti''alar.  All  observed  it;  and  many 
met  on  that  day,  who  did  not  again  meet  until  the  succeeding  year.  All 
then  shook  hands,  and  exchanged  mutual  good  wishes.  All  old  animosities 
were  forgotten,  all  differences  settled,  and  universal  peace  established. 
During  the  winter  season,  Green  Bay  was  entiiely  insulated.  Cut  off  from 
communication  with  all  other  parts  of  the  civilized  world,  her  inhabitants 
were  left  to  their  own  resources  for  nearly  half  a  year.  The  mails  were  few 
and  far  between.  Sometimes  but  once  a  month,  never  more  than  twice,  did 
we  receive  them  ;  so  that  the  news  when  received  here  was  no  longer  news. 
The  mails  were  carried  on  a  mun's  shoulders  from  Chicago  to  Green  IJay, 
through  the  wilderness,  a  distance  of  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles, 
and  could  not  contain  a  very  great  quantity  of  interesting  reading-matter. 
Under  such  circumstances,  it  became  necessary  that  we  should  devise  some 
means  to  enliven  our  time,  and  wo  did  so  accordingly;  and  I  look  back  upon 
those  years  as  among  the  most  agreeable  of  my  life.  The  country  at  that 
early  day  was  destitute  of  roads  or  places  of  public  entertainment.  Nothing 
but  the  path,  or  '  Indian  trail '  traversed  the  wide  expanse  of  forest  and 
prairie  from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Mississippi;  and  the  travel  by  land  was 
performed  on  foot  or  on  horseback.  But  tliere  was  then  another  mode  of 
locora  *ion,  very  generally  adopted  by  those  who  took  long  journeys,  now 
becon  •  obsolete,  and  which  would  bo  laughed  at  by  the  present  fast-going 
generation,  —  that  of  the  Indian  or  bark  canoe.  The  canoe  was  used  in  all 
cases  where  comfort  and  expedition  were  desired.  These  may  appear  strange 
words,  when  you  reflect  that  the  traveller  sat  cooped  up  all  day  in  a  space 
about  lour  feet  square,  and  at  night  encamped  on  the  bank  of  the  stream, 
cooked  his  own  supper,  and  slept  upon  the  ground,  with  no  covering  but  a 
tent  and  blanket,  or,  oftentimes,  nothing  but  the  wide  canojiy  of  heaven, 
having,  after  a  day  of  toil  and  labor  by  his  crew,  accomplished  a  journey  of 
thirty  or  forty  miles.  But  these  journeys  were  not  destitute  of  interest. 
The  voyar/eur  was  enlivened  by  the  meriy  song  of  his  liglit-hearted  and 
ever-happy  Canadian  crew,  his  eye  delighted  by  the  constant  varying 
scenery  of  the  country  through  which  ho  passed,  at  liliorty  to  select  a  spot 
for  his  encampment,  and  to  stop  when  fatigued  with  tho  day's  travel,  and, 


'■■I  i:l 


I 

i 

if 


148 


nisToiiY  OF  w/scoysm. 


above  all,  free  from  care,  and  from  the  fearful  apprehensions  of  all  modern 
travellers  on  railroads  and  steamboats,  —  that  of  being  blown  up,  burned, 
or  drowned. 

"  I  can  better  illustrate  this  early  mode  of  travel  by  giving  an  account  of 
a  party  of  pleasure  undertiikon  and  accomplished  by  myself.  In  May, 
1830,  being  obliged  to  go  on  the  annual  circuit  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  to  at- 
tend court,  I  concluded  to  make  it  a  matter  of  pleasure,  as  well  as  business. 
I  accordingly  obtained  a  good-sized  and  substantial  north-west  bark  canoe 
(about  five  fathoms,  or  tliirty  feet,  in  length,  and  five  feet  widi?  in  the  centre), 
a  good  tent,  or  'marquee,'  togetlier  with  mattresses,  blankets,  bedding, 
mess-basket,  and  all  things  required  as  an  outfit  on  such  expeditions.  The 
party  consisted  of  my  wife,  self,  two  small  children,  two  young  ladies  as 
companions,  and  a  sei-vant-girl ;  my  crew,  of  four  Canadians  (experienced 
men,  and  good  singers)  and  two  Menomonee  Indians  as  bow  and  steers  men. 
The  canoe  was  propelled  both  by  oars  and  paddles.  We  ascended  the  Fox 
River  to  Fort  Winnebago,  and  descended  tlio  Wisconsin  to  the  Missis.sippi, 
and  thence  up  the  latter,  four  miles,  to  Prairie  du  (Jhien.  The  voyage  occu- 
pied eight  or  ninff  daj'S  in  going,  and  about  the  same  length  of  time  in  re- 
turning, durin'j  which  the  ladies  camped  out  every  night  save  two.  They 
did  all  the  cooking  and  housekohl  work.  The  former  was  no  small  item; 
for  with  appetites  sharpened  by  pure  air  and  exorcise,  and  witli  abundance 
of  fresh  veni.son,  with  fowl  and  fish  to  satisfy  them,  the  quantity  of  viands 
consumed  by  the  party  would  iiave  astonished  modern  epicures,  and,  perhaps, 
shocked  the  delicate  tastes  of  city  belles.  We  frequently  encamped  early  in 
the  afternoon,  —  at  some  siiot  which  attracted  our  attention  from  its  natural 
beauty  or  romantic  appearance,  —  and  strolled  along  the  bank  of  the  stream, 
plucking  beautiful  wild  flowers,  which  abounded;  or,  clambering  up  some 
high  bluff  or  commanding  headland,  obtained  a  view  of  the  surrounding 
country,  and  traced  the  meandering  stream  throui^li  its  high  banks,  far  in 
the  distance.  It  was  in  the  merry  month  of  May,  when  the  forest  was 
clothed  in  its  deepest  verdure,  the  hills  and  prairirs  redolent  with  flowers, 
and  the  woods  tenanted  by  melodious  songsters.  It  was  tmly  a  trip  of 
pleasure  and  enjoyment.  Many  trips  for  pi 'iisuro  have  been  undertaken, 
where  jiarties  may  have  experienced  the  refinements  and  accommodations, 
and  enjoyed  the  luxuries,  to  be  found  in  the  present  day  in  old  and  long- 
settled  countries;  but  I  believe  few,  if  any,  realize  more  true  delight  and 
Batisfactiou  than  did  this  party  of  pleasure  in  a  bark  canoe." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


THE  PIONEERS    OF  WISCONSIN. 


H 


We  might  further  illustrate  the  manner  of  life  and  living  of 
the  settlers  who  were  here  in  the  pioneer  days,  at  these  twoearly 
outposts  of  Wisconsin ;  but  what  has  been  written,  it  is  believed, 
will  suffice.  As  time  passed  along,  many  changes  took  place. 
Other  men  and  their  families  came  in,  and  became  a  part  and 
parcel  of  the  community,  introducing  new  ideas,  and  bringing 
with  them  the  customs  and  habits  of  the  places  from  which  they 
removed.  The  title  acquired  by  the  government,  by  treaties 
with  the  Indians,  and  these  lands  being  surveyed  and  brought 
into  market,  and  offered  at  a  mere  nominal  price,  increased  the 
number  of  settlers  from  the  Eastern  and  other  States.  By 
energy  and  perseverance,  they  surmounted  all  obstacles,  and  by 
their  courage  and  firmness  ;  and  to  them  is  owing  the  develop- 
ment of  the  country,  the  opening  the  Wcay  for  the  introduction 
of  civilization,  education,  and  the  arts  and  sciences ;  and  to  them 
should  be  awarded  the  merit  of  having  largely  contributed,  by 
their  talents  and  labor,  to  the  formation  and  organization  of 
the  Territory,  now  State,  of  Wisconsin,  Less  than  fifty  years 
ago,  the  whole  State  of  Wisconsin,  except  Green  Bay  and 
Prairie  du  Chien,  was  a  wilderness,  with  here  and  there  a  set- 
tler, and  those  in  the  lead-region  in  the  south-western  part.  It 
seems  almost  incredible  to  think,  or  in  any  way  realize,  what  has 
since  taken  place,  as  it  scemt'  almost  like  enchantment.  The 
narratives  of  the  early  settlers  of  Wisconsin,  that  have  been 
published  in  the  Collections  of  the  State  Historical  Society  and 
in  the  newspapers,  where  details  are  frequently  given,  and 
incidents  related  at  the  pioneer  meetings  held  in  the  various 
portions  of  the  State,  all  show  what  difficulties  and  hardships 

140 


150 


nisTORT  OF  rrrscoNsm. 


these  settlers  had  to  pass  through,  before  they  could  live  with 
any  tolerable   degree   of  comfort.     Hon.  C.  M.  Baker,  in  his 

address  at  the  old  settlers'  meeting  of  Walworth  County,  1809, 
says,  — 

"I  have  spoken  of  the  men  who  first  settled  old  Walworth ;  but  what,  old 
comradi's  in  this  life-battle  in  the  wilderness  that  was,  —  what  of  our  com- 
panions, tlie  vnmen  T 

"Most  of  tliem  h.id  been  delicately  reared,  and  were  accustomed  to  the 
luxuries  and  reflneinents  of  cultivated  society;  and  most,  or  all,  had  good 
homes,  with  tlie  necessaries  and  conveniences  of  life  in  abundance,  and 
were  surrounded  by  kind  friends  and  dear  relatives.  To  these  they  had 
been  bred ;  to  all  tiiese  they  were  stronjjly  attached.  But  these  ties  were 
sundered,  these  homes  were  left  behind,  when,  after  the  last  trunk  was 
packed,  .nnd  the  last  farewell  was  sadlj'  uttered,  they  set  their  faces  west- 
ward for  a  new  life  and  a  new  home,  ti\ey  knew  not  wliither;  but  they  knew 
it  must  be  amoiig  strangers.  They  siiared  with  us  the  toils  of  the  journey, 
the  weary  miles  of  sunshine  and  storm,  as  we  journeyed  on  and  onward. 
They  partook  \\ith  us  of  the  co.irse  fare  and  rude  accommodations  of  the 
wagon  and  wayside,  the  canal-boat  and  the  steamer,  tiie  log-t.avcrn,  and  the 
bivouac  under  the  open  heavens,  —  all  this  they  encountered  without  mur- 
muring, and  cheerfully. 

"  And  when,  late  in  autumn  or  early  sp  ing.  it  m.iy  be,  in  the  cold  storm, 
or  driving  mists  and  chilly  winds  that  cut  ti  the  bone,  they  took  their  de- 
parture from  Chicago  or  Milwaukee,  the  last  outposts  of  civilization  over 
those  low,  lonely  jirairies  wiiich  surrounded  the  one,  or  throiii;h  the  gloomy 
forests  which  enveloped  the  other,  over  disir  d  roads  beset  with  ruts  or 
stumps,  without  sign  of  cultivation  or  human  '.abitation.  —  then  it  was  that 
the  hour  of  bitter  trial  came  to  their  hearts ;  then  it  was,  that,  amid  their 
loneliness  and  utter  heart-desolation,  the  dear  homes  and  kindred  tliey  had 
left,  rose  up  before  them,  and.  tlirough  their  tears,  they  looked  down  upon 
the  little  ones  who  cliuig  to  them.  lUit  not  a  murmur,  not  a  word  of  regret 
or  repining,  escaped  them.  The  feelings,  too  deep  for  utterance,  which 
swelled  within  them,  were  smothered  in  their  bosoms.  When  we,  at  last 
(some  later,  some  earlier),  had  found  a  ]ilace  where  to  make  a  home  in  those 
pleasant  groves  and  prairies,  —  pleasant  to  us  men;  for  here  there  were 
herds  of  bounding  deer,  and  flocks  of  wild  fowl,  the  wolf  and  the  sand-hill 
crane,  and  game,  large  and  snnill,  to  give  us  sport.  The  lakes  and  streams 
abomided  in  fish,  and  we  could  take  them  at  our  will.  The  country  was 
all  open,  and  free  to  roam  over  as  one  great  park.  There  was  excitement  for 
us  in  all  this,  suited  to  our  rougher  natures  and  coarser  tastes.  We  could 
roam  and  fish  or  hunt  as  we  plea.ied,  amid  the  freshness  and  beauties  of 
Nature.  But  how  was  it  for  our  wives  ?  From  all  these  bright,  and,  to  us, 
fascinating  sci'nes  and  pastimes,  they  were  excluded.  They  were  shut  up 
with  the  ihililren  in  log-cabins,  —  when  they  were  fortunate  enough  to  get 
them,  —  rude  huts,  without  floors  often,  and,  not  unfrequently,  without  doors 


^!l 


152 


nf STORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


or  windows,  wliile  the  cold,  bleak  winds  of  March  and  December  whistled 
through  them.  Frequently  they  were  covered  with  shakes  fastened  on  with 
poles,  between  which  the  stars  at  night  looked  down  upon  the  faithful 
mother  and  her  sleeping  infants.  Here,  in  one  small  room,  filled,  perhaps, 
witli  smoke;  without  furniture,  except  a  little  of  the  rudest  kind, — rough 
slab  stools,  an  equally  rough  table,  and  a  bedstead,  if  any,  made  of  poles 
fastened  into  the  house ;  without  kitchen-utensils,  save,  perchance,  a  kettle, 
a  skillet,  and  a  frying-pan  ;  destitute  of  crockery,  and  with  a  little  tinware, 
—  they  were  called  upon  to  do,  unaided,  the  duties  of  a  housewife.  With 
these  conveniences  and  these  surroundings,  they  took  upon  them  for  weeks 
and  months,  and  even  for  years,  the  burden  of  their  households  in  a  con- 
tinued struggle  with  hinderances  and  perplexities.  These  were  the  heroic ' 
women  to  whom  our  hearts  did  homage  ;  and  I  should  fail  in  my  duty  at 
this  time,  if,  in  the  roll-call  of  worthy  and  honorable  names,  they  should 
not  be  remembered." 


In  writing  the  above,  Judge  Baker  spoke  from  actual  expe- 
rience. He  knew  well  the  privations  of  the  early  settlers  and 
their  families,  and  coidd  sympathize  with  them  in  their  early 
experiences  of  pioneer  life.  The  experience  of  the  settler  in 
Walworth  County,  however,  was  no  worse,  and  in  some  respects 
better,  than  those  who  lived  farther  in  the  interior  of  the  State. 
Some  of  these  pioneers  have  passed  away:  ma"/  are  still 
living,  and  are  enjoying,  in  the  evening  of  their  d  ys,  wealth, 
and  the  comforts  obtained  by  honorable  toil  and  industry. 
Their  conduct  and  action  as  public  servants  will  bear  the  scru- 
tiny of  posterity,  and  they  Avill  lose  nothing  in  comparison  with 
legislators  or  rulers  of  the  few  past  years.  May  those  who  suc- 
ceed them  in  either  capacity  follow  their  example,  and  prove  as 
true  to  the  interests  of  the  State  as  did  the  old  settlers  in  their 
time !  and  may  the  present  and  future  legislatures,  by  their 
acts,  retrieve  the  character  and  credit  of  the  country  from  the 
odium  brought  upon  it  by  reckless  and  inconsiderate  legislation  I 


CHAPTER  XIV.« 


THE  BLACK  HAWK  WAR. 


Tlie  Sanks  nnd  Foxes  —  nritlsh  Interference  — Black  Hawk  and  his  Wrongs  — 
Battle  of  Stilliiian's  Run  —  Battle  of  tlie  I'ecatonica  —  Battle  of  Wisconsin 
Heiglits  — The  Battle  of  Bad  Axe  — Capture  of  Black  Hawk,  &c. 

The  acquisition  of  territory  has  always  been  a  fruitful  source 
of  trouble.  In  ancient  as  well  as  in  modern  times,  the  stronger 
have  generally  overpowered  the  weaker  nations,  appropriated  to 
their  own  use  the  territory  of  the  latter,  and  resorted  to  arms 
in  defence  of  their  enlarged  dominions. 

In  this,  no  more  fitting  example  can  be  found  than  that  which 
is  afforded  by  the  United  States  in  its  intercourse  with  the 
aboriginal  tribes  whose  hunting-grounds  and  burial-places  were 
within  its  boundaries ;  and  when  the  victims  have  mustered 
courage  and  numbers  sufficient  to  assert  their  rights,  and 
endeavored  to  maintain  them,  the  entire  strength  of  the  con- 
federacy, as  Avell  as  that  of  the  border  States,  has  generally 
been  brought  into  requisition,  and  the  audacity  of  the  savages 
has  been  visited  with  the  severest  penalties. 

Among  those  tribes  with  whom  the  Federal  Government  has 
been  in  trouble  are  the  Sauks  and  Foxes,  —  powerful  nations, 
whose  homes  were  then  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  in  the 
present  States  of  Wisconsin  and  Illinois,  —  with  some  portions 
of  whom,  on  the  3d  of  November,  1804,  a  treaty  was  signed  at 
St.  Louis,  ceding  to  the  United  States  a  large  district  of  their 
territory.  These  negotiators  had  not  visited  St.  Louis  for  such 
a  pui-pose,  however;  and   the   act  of  cession  was  promptly 

1  This  cliapter,  -written  hy  Henry  B.  Dawson  of  the  New  York  Historical 
Society,  is  taken  from  a  work  entitled  "  Battles  of  the  United  States  by  Sra  and 
Land,"  by  permission  of  the  author. 

168 


154 


ntsTonr  of  wibconsin. 


repudiated  by  the  groater  part  of  both  nations.  For  many 
years,  a  scries  of  troubles,  based  on  the  rival  elaims  of  the 
parties,  occurred  between  the  government  and  the  nations  ;  and 
these  troubles  increased  with  the  influx  of  settlers  into  that 
portion  of  the  mighty  West  at  a  later  date.  Taking  advantage 
of  this  tlisaffection,  Tecumseh,  and  the  agents  of  the  British 
Government,  at  an  early  day  prompted  them  to  move,  with 
other  nations  of  the  West,  for  the  redress  of  the  grievances 
under  which  they  lived  ;  and  a  series  of  "  wars  "  occurred,  of 
which  tlie  reader  has  been  informed  in  preceding  chapters  of 
this  volume. 

The  troubles  which  this  state  of  affairs  produced  grew 
more  and  more  serious  until  1831,  when,  in  accordance  with 
subsequent  treaty  stipulations,  all,  including  Black  Hawk, 
removed  from  Illinois,  and  settled  on  the  western  bank  of  the 
Mississippi.  During  that  year,  however,  with  his  band  of 
warriors  and  his  family,  he  appears  to  have  returned  to  his 
former  home,  and  caused  much  annoyance  to  the  settlers, 
although  he  showed  no  disposition  to  resort  to  hostilities. 
After  a  display  of  the  military  forces  of  the  State  under  Gen. 
Duncan,  and  of  the  United  States  under  Gen.  Gaines,  the 
troubles  were  settled  by  another  treaty  ;  and  Black  Hawk  and 
his  party  returned  to  their  new  liomes  west  of  the  Mississippi. 

Notwitlistanding  the  apparent  settlement  of  the  troubles  in 
1831,  the  emissaries  of  the  British  Government  in  Canatla 
ajipcar  to  have  continued  tlie  agitation  of  the  treaty  question 
among  the  Indians ;  and  in  the  spring  of  1832,  encouraged  by 
their  promises,  Black  Hawk  prepared  for  another  visit  to  his 
former  home  in  Illinois.  Still  he  assumed  no  warlike  attitude  ; 
but  with  his  band  of  warriors  on  horseback,  and  their  families 
and  prfjperty  in  canoes,  they  crossed  the  Mississippi  at  the 
Yellow  Bank,  on  the  (5th  of  April,  and  moved  slowly  towards 
Rock  River.  It  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  such  a  cavalcade 
could  have  been  considered  an  Indian  invasion,  especially  since 
the  squaws  and  children  never  accompanied  war-parties  on  their 
excursions ;  j-et  the  people  of  Illinois  considered  it  in  that 
light,  and  treated  their  visitors  as  enemies.  The  governor  called 
for  volunteers  to  repel  the  invaders.  Gen.  Atkinson,  then  on 
hia  way  up  the  river  with  six  companies  of  the  Sixth  infantry, 


ntSTORY  OF.  WISCONSIN. 


159 


to  demand  some  murderers  from  the  Sauks,  joined  in  the  cru- 
sade ;  three  conipaiiies  of  the  First  infantry  were  ordered  f.om 
Fort  Crawford  ;  tlie  militia  of  Nortli-western  Illinois  and  of 
Michigan  were  ordered  to  be  held  in  readiness  for  active  duty  ; 
the  co-operation  of  the  Dakotaa  and  RIenomonecs,  hereditary 
enemies  of  the  Sauks,  was  solicited  by  the  Federal  authori- 
ties ;  and  stores  and  supplies  were  ordered  from  St.  Louis  to  be 
in  readiness  for  the  campaign.  In  the  mean  time  the  Indians 
pursued  their  way  quietly  but  steadily,  interfering  with  none, 
and  without  inflicting  any  injury  on  the  settlers.  To  the 
messengers  who  were  sent  after  them,  they  replied,  they  would 
not  go  back,  as  they  were  acting  peaceably ;  and  when  the 
messiiges  became  more  urgent,  threatening  to  drive  them  back, 
they  were  informed,  if  Gen.  Atkinson  "  wished  to  fight,''  he 
could  "  come  on,"  as  they  were  determined  never  to  be  driven, 
and,  equally  so,  "  not  to  make  the  first  attack" 

While  the  cavalcade,  under  Black  Hawk,  was  thus  pursuing 
its  way  up  the  Rock  River,  Gov.  Reynolds  and  Gen.  Whitesides, 
with  about  eighteen  hundred  volunteers,  were  mustered  into 
the  service  of  the  United  States,  when  Gen.  Atkinson  detached 
them  in  i^ursuit  of  the  Indians ;  while,  with  his  regulars  and 
the  stores,  he  followed  in  boats  in  the  rear,  but  at  too  great  a 
distance  to  afford  any  support  to  the  former.  On  the  12th  of 
May,  this  detachment,  eager  for  action,  reached  Dixon's  Ferry, 
where  it  was  joined  by  jNIajor  Stillman  with  two  hundred  and 
seventy-five  men  from  the  northern  counties.  The  major,  con- 
sidering the  command  an  independent  one,  declined  to  join 
Gen.  Whitesidcs's  brigade  ;  and  on  the  next  day  he  solicited 
f»"om  the  governor,  as  commander-in-chief,  an  order  to  go  out  on 
a  scout.  In  accordance  Avith  that  request,  with  Major  Bailey, 
he  received  orders  to  march  to  the  Old  Man's  Creek,  and  to 
ascertain,  if  possible,  the  movements  of  the  Indians ;  and  the 
two  battalions,  after  wading  through  unusually  muddy  roads, 
3ncamped  in  company,  but  independent  of  each  other,  some 
eight  or  ten  miles  from  the  ferry.  On  the  folIoAv^ng  morning 
(May  14),  the  two  battalions  were  temporarily  placed  in  com- 
mand of  Major  Stillman ;  and  under  his  orders  they  continued 
the  pursuit  until  sunset,  when  they  encamped  m  front  of  a 
small  creek  kno^vn  as  the  Kish-wau-kee  (since  then  kno%vn  as 


\'i 


n 


m 

is 


186 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONStN. 


Stillmnn's  Run),  in  the  vicinity  of  Sycamore  Creek,  and  about 
thirty  miles  above  Dixon. 

In  the  mean  time.  Black  Hawk  had  learned  that  the  promised 
assistance  of  the  British  would  not  be  available ;  and  ho  began 
to  relent.  At  the  same  time,  intelligence  of  the  approach 
of  the  two  battalions  under  Majors  Stillman  and  Bailey 
reached  him  ;  and  lie  "  immediately  started  three  young  men 
with  a  flag,"  to  meet  them,  and  conduct  them  to  his  camp, 
that  a  council  might  be  held,  and  that  he  might  descend  Rock 
River  agivin,  probably  with  the  design  of  retm-ning  to  the 
western  bank  of  the  Mississippi.  Five  others  were  soon  after- 
wards detached  after  the  former  messengers,  as  a  party  of  ob- 
servation. The  first  party,  it  is  said,  reached  Major  Stillman's 
encampment  in  safety,  and  were  taken  prisoners,  notwithstand- 
ing their  flag;  and  when  the  second  party  came  in  sight,  also 
with  a  flag,  with  their  guns  held  horizontally  over  their  heads, 
and  knocking  the  priming  out  as  a  signal  of  peace,  they  were 
pursued,  and  two  of  them  were  killed.  On  the  arrival  at  Black 
Hawk's  camp  of  the  three  messengers  who  had  escaped,  all 
ideas  of  flags  and  truces  ended.  Blood  had  been  shed  by  the 
whites  while  the  victims  Avere  extending  assurances  of  peace  ; 
and  those  who,  before,  had  merely  travelled  over  the  soil  of 
Illinois,  without  committing  anj'  offence,  were  instantly  changed 
into  active  and  determined  enemies. 

At  this  time.  Black  Hawk  had  only  about  forty  men  with 
him,  the  greater  part  of  his  party  being  ten  miles  distant ;  and 
with  this  small  force  he  started  back  to  meet  the  assailants. 
There  is  no  evidence  whatever  that  the  chief  had  either  desired 
to  engage  in  hostilities,  or  expected  the  whites  woiUd  do  so ; 
and  it  is  equally  clear,  that,  in  this  invasion,  the  first  act  of 
aggression  was  committed  by  those  among  whom  the  Indians 
moved.  What  wonder,  then,  need  there  be,  when  his  flag  had 
been  disregarded,  and  its  bearers  seized  as  prisoners,  when  his 
messengers  of  peace,  subsequently  despatched,  had  been  shot 
down,  or  pursued  with  that  intent,  that  Black  Hawk,  with  the 
fort)'  who  were  with  him,  should  turn  on  his  pursuers,  sound 
the  war-whoop,  and  sell  their  lives  as  dearly  as  possible  ?  He 
did  80 ;  and  he  did  that  only  which  any  one,  unless  the  veriest 
poltroon,  would  have  done  under  the  same  circumstances. 


m 


158 


n I  STORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


Rushing  upon  the  cowardly  pursuers  of  the  peaceful  cmhassy 
with  his  handful  of  braves,  and  senduig  the  shrill  war-whoop 
into  their  ranks  in  advance  of  his  rifle-balls,  or  tomahu'vks,  the 
indignant  Black  Hawk  accomplished  in  a  few  minute  .vhat 
had  been  considered  the  work  of  a  host :  he  scattered  ^  p  --m  in 
every  direction,  and  filled  their  minds  with  the  greatest  alarm. 
A  few  minutes  aftetwards,  the  main  body  of  ^lajor  Stillman's 
command  also  came  in  sight,  having  followed  in  pursuit  of 
the  fugitive  embassy;  when  the  chief  concealed  his  forty 
braves  among  "  some  brushes,"  and  in  concealment  aAvaited  its 
approach,  shrewdly  intending  to  have  the  first  fire,  —  knowing  its 
effect  on  militia,  —  "when  it  approached  close  enough."  As 
Major  Stillman  halted  on  the  prairie  before  he  came  within  gun- 
shot distance  of  the  ambuscade,  it  is  probable  he  had  discovered 
the  Indians ;  but  the  latter  did  not  wait  for  a  development  of 
his  plans,  or  for  his  fire.  Giving  another  of  their  terri':  fe  yells, 
the  chief  and  his  little  party  rushed  from  their  hiding-places, 
and  charged  on  the  irregular  mass  of  mnunted  men ;  and  that 
also  —  unnerved  by  the  injustice  of  the  cause  in  which  it  was 
engaged,  and  magnifyii;.  every  Indian  warrior  tenfold  —  also 
turned  and  fled  in  the  j^reatest  confusion.  The  Indians,  of 
course,  pursued ;  but,  although  twenty-five  of  his  braves  con- 
tinued it,  the  chief  found  it  useless  to  follow,  as  they  rode  so 
fast ;  and,  after  returning  to  his  encampment,  he  "  lighted  his 
pipe,  and  sat  down  t^  thank  the  Great  Spirit  for  what  he  had 
done." 

On  the  following  day,  incited  b"  the  terrible  st  ries  of  the 
fugitives,  as  they  reached  Dixon  after  a  flight  of  fifty  miles, 
Gov.  Reynolds  issued  a  proclamation  calling  f(3r  an  additional 
force  of  two  thousand  mounted  volunteers ;  and,  throughout 
the  entire  West,  the  exaggerated  stories  of  Major  Stillman 
and  his  followers,  enlarged  in  the  proclamation  of  Gov.  Rey- 
nolds, and  increased  in  horrible  incidents  in  every  subse(iuent 
version,  were  creating  the  greatest  alarm. 

On  the  day  after  the  battle,  after  burying  the  two  Indians, 
belonging  to  the  secon''  party,  who  had  been  shot,  and  one  of 
the  first  party,  Avho  had  shared  the  same  fate,  Black  Hawk  vis- 
ited the  deserted  camp  of  Major  Stillman's  party,  and  found 
"  arms,  ammunition,  and  provisions,  all  of  which,  especially  the 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSm. 


169 


latter,  he  was  in  want  of ; "  the  empty  whiskey-kcgs  which  he 
found  there  creating  the  greatest  surprise,  as  he  liad  understood 
that  all  the  pale  faces  belonged  lo  the  temperance  societies. 

In  this  action  ("  the  battle  at  Stillnian's  Run,"  3Iay^A,  1832), 
and  in  the  pursuit  which  followed  it,  the  Indians  lost  none. 
The  volunteers  lost  IMajor  Perkins,  Capt.  Adams,  and  nine 
men,  and,  perhaps,  twenty  horses  killed ;  and  five  men  Avere 
wounded.  On  the  morning  of  the  15th,  Gen.  Whitesides, 
with  his  brigade  of  volunteers  (fifteen  hundred  in  number), 
moved  forward  to  the  battle-ground,  on  Stillman's  Run,  and 
buried  the  dead ;  when  he,  too,  without  venturing  beyond  the 
bounds  of  acknowledged  safety,  returned  to  Dixon.  The  troops, 
in  the  mean  time,  having  become  "  dissatisfied,  wished  to  be 
discharged  from  the  service."  On  the  17th,  Gen.  Atkinson 
reached  Dixon's  Ferry,  with  his  regulars  and  a  suppiy  of 
provisions;  and  on  the  19th,  Avith  the  entire  army,  twenty- 
four  hundred  in  number,  he  also  advanced  up  the  Rock 
River,  towards  the  scene  of  the  late  battle.  The  disaffec- 
tion of  the  volunteers  continued,  however,  and  on  the  27th 
and  28th  of  A^ay,  they  were  disbanded  and  discharged  at 
Ottawa,  by  Gov.  Reynolds,  leaving  tlic  defence  of  the  fron- 
tiers Avith  the  regular  troops,  and  Avith  a  small  body  of  citizens, 
who  voluntee'ci,  temporarily,  for  that  purpose. 

Ill  the  mean  time,  the  Indians  Avere  Avaging  Avar  in  accord- 
ance Avith  their  usages.  The  settlements  Avere  visited  and 
destroyed ;  the  settlers  and  their  families  AA'cre  butchered,  or 
carried  aAvay  captive ;  and,  as  has  been  said  elsewhere,  "  the 
Indians  had  now  shoAvn  themselves  to  be  a  co-„ageous,  actiA'e, 
and  enterprising  cnemj-."  They  had  scatterea  'heir  Avar-parties 
over  all  the  North,  —  from  Chicago  to  Galena,  and  from  the  Illi- 
nois River  into  th:  Territory  of  Wisconsin:  they  occupied 
GA-ery  groA'c,  Avaylaid  every  road,  hung  around  every  settlement, 
and  attacked  every  party  of  Avhite  men  that  attempted  to  pene- 
trate the  country. 

Among  those  Avho  temporarily  volunteered  to  defend  the 
frontiers  on  the  discharge  of  the  troops  at  OttaAva,  Avas  Adam 
M.  Snyder,  to  Avhom  Avas  assigned  the  command  of  a  company. 
In  the  night  of  the  17th  of  June,  Avhilc  he  Avas  encamped 
near  Burr  Oak  Grove,  thirty-live  miios  east  from  Galena,  he 


160 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


was  iirod  on  by  the  Indiana ;  cind  on  the  follo-\ving  morning 
(June  18)  he  went  in  pursuit  of  them.  After  a  spirited  chase, 
he  overtook  them  {four  in  number^  ;  and  after  a  warm  engage- 
ment, and  a  vigorous  charge,  lie  succeeded  in  killing  all  of 
them,  with  the  loss  of  one  of  his  own  command.  It  appears, 
liowever,  that  later  in  the  day,  while  Capt,  Snyder's  company 
was  returning  to  its  encampment,  the  action  was  renewed  by 
a  largo  body  of  Indians  (seventy  or  eighty,  it  is  said)  ;  two 
"  gentlemen  "  of  Capt.  Snyder's  command  being  killed,  and  one 
wounded,  at  the  first  (ire.  The  suddenness  of  the  attack,  and 
the  loss  which  the  company  experienced,  fdled  it  with  alarm ; 
and  many  of  the  men,  terror-stricken,  commenced  a  retreat. 
The  captain,  with  great  presence  of  mind,  halt-'d,  and  endeav- 
ored to  form  them  for  action;  but  so  compictely  were  they 
overcome  with  fear,  that  it  was  only  after  Gen.  Whitesides  — 
who  was  acting  as  a  private  in  the  company  —  had  threatened 
to  sluKjt  the  hrst  man  who  attempted  to  run  away,  that  any 
thhig  like  order  could  be  restored. 

At  length  they  formed;  and  talcing  to  the  trees,  as  the  Indians 
had  done  before  them,  the  action  was  carried  on  with  great 
warmth,  until  the  fall  of  the  leader  of  the  Indians  dispirited 
them,  and  they  rctii'cd.  Besides  the  loss  referred  to  (one 
killed),  the  Indians  appear  to  have  sustained  no  loss  in  this 
affair ;  while  the  whites,  besides  the  two  "gentlemen"  who  were 
killed,  arc  said  to  have  had  one  wounded.  Capt.  Synder  im- 
mediately marched  to  headquarters  (Fort  Williourne)  ;  and  as 
the  levy  under  Gov.  Reynolds's  "proclamation  "  had  assembled, 
and  was  ready  for  duty,  the  temporary  force  of  volunteers,  of 
Avhich  Capt.  Snyder's  company  was  part,  was  disbanded. 

'While  these  [jroceedings  of  the  temporary  volunteer  force  in 
the  vicuiity  of  Kellogg's  Grove  were  adding  to  the  interests  of 
the  struggle,  on  the  14th  of  June,  a  party  of  men  were  attacked 
in  a  cornlield  near  the  mouth  of  Spafford's  Creek,  and  five  were 
killed.  Information  of  the  affair  was  immediately  conveyed 
to  Fort  Defiance,  when  Capt.  lloai'd  despatched  an  express  to 
Col.  Henry  Dodge  at  Dodge viUe,  with  the  intelligence;  while, 
at  the  same  time,  I.,ieut.  (!harlcs  Bracken,  the  second  oflicer  of 
the  garrison,  was  despatched  to  the  scene  of  the  massacre  with 
eleven  men,  —  all  for  whom  horses  could  be  obtained.    Stopping 


a 


niaroRT  of  Wisconsin. 


161 


all  night  at  Fort  Hamilton  (^Wiola,  Wiscoimn),  on  tlie  following 
morning  he  was  joined  by  nine  men ;  and,  with  his  entire  com- 
mand of  about  twenty  men,  the  lieutenant  proceeded  to  Spafford'a 
cornfield.  After  burying  the  victims,  the  expedition  returned 
to  Fort  Hamilton,  where  it  found  Capt.  Gentry  with  a  few  men ; 
and  on  the  next  day  (June  16, 1832),  Col.  Dodge  came  in,  and 
assumed  the  command. 

As  the  colonel  with  two  friends  approached  Fort  Hamilton, 
they  met  a  German,  named  Apple,  a  settler  in  that  vicinity, 
who  was  returning  to  his  log-cabin  to  prepare  for  active  service ; 
and  immediately  afterwards  he  was  shot  by  an  enemy  concealed 
in  the  bushes.  As  soon  as  the  colonel  reached  the  fort,  there- 
fore, he  sallied  out  again  at  the  head  of  the  party  which  Lieut. 
Bracken  had  commanded,  and  of  Capt.  Gentry's  party,  t^^■enty- 
eight  men  in  all ;  and,  taking  their  trail,  he  pursued  the  In- 
dians, overtaking  them  on  the  bank  of  the  Pecatonica,  behind 
which  they  had  concealed  themselves  under  a  sand-bank  and  in 
the  bushes.  Having  "  told  off"  in  sections  of  seven,  the  fourth 
or  central  man  of  each  section  remained  on  horseback,  and  took 
charge  of  the  horses  of  the  other  six ;  while  four  others  were 
sent  on  the  neighboring  height  as  lookouts ;  and  the  remainder 
dismoimted,  and  prepared  for  the  attack  by  renewing  their 
flints,  repriming  their  guns,  imbuttoning  their  shirt-collars,  and 
tightening  their  belts.  When  all  were  ready.  Col.  Dodge  ad- 
dressed them  in  a  few  homely  sentences ;  and  the  party  in  line 
waded  the  stream,  and  entered  the  thicket.  As  soon  as  the 
position  of  the  enemy  was  seen,  he  occupied  the  bed  of  a  pond, 
in  front  of  which  was  a  natural  breastwork  three  feet  m  height. 
The  order  was  given  to  "  Charge  'em,  hoys:  charge  'em.'"  Mount- 
ing the  embankment  after  having  received  the  enemy's  fire,  the 
whites  engaged  with  the  Indians  in  a  hand-to-hand  conllict, 
before  the  latter  could  reload  their  pieces ;  and  with  such  spirit 
was  the  attack  conducted,  that  hi  a  few  minutes,  with  the  loss 
of  three  men,  the  enemy  Avas  completely  overpowered ;  eleven 
having  been  killed  on  the  spot,  while  two  others,  wounded,  were 
tracked  up  the  bank  of  the  stream,  and  were  scalped ;  and  four 
others  crept  beneath  the  surrounding  brushwood,  or  into  the 
long  grass  on  the  neighboring  prairie,  and  died  of  their  wounds ; 
not  one  of  the  seventeen  assailants  escaping  to  tell  the  story  of 
the  Battle,  of  the  Pecatonica. 


w 

frh 
t-."i 

m 


162 


HISTORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


While  Col.  Dodge  Avas  thus  engaged  with  the  enemy  at  Peca- 
tonica,  Capt.  James  W.  Stcplienson,  with  the  Galena  Company 
of  volunteers,  was  on  the  lookout  for  Indians  near  the  head  of 
Yellow  Creek,  Avliei'c  he  discovered  a  party  of  them,  and  pursued 
them  into  the  bushes.  The  I  idians,  liaving  secured  the  advan- 
tage of  position,  immediately  stood  on  their  defence ;  and,  having 
lost  three  (if  his  men,  Capt.  Stephenson,  after  a  spirited  attack, 
was  obliged  to  order  a  retreat. 

He  appears  to  have  eliangcd  his  mind  after  withdrawing  from 
the  action,  however,  and  returned  to  the  thicket,  charging  a 
second  and  a  third  time  on  the  hiding-places  of  the  enemy,  with 
greater  determination  than  succe.j:-,  until,  having  received  a 
severe  wound,  he  was  compelled  to  retire.  It  is  not  known 
what  was  the  strength  of  the  enemy,  or  his  loss ;  and,  although 
the  assault  was  spirited  and  well  contested,  the  loss  of  the 
volunteers  indicated  a  spirited  and  gallant  defence. 

On  the  24th  of  June,  Black  Hawk,  with  one  hundred  and 
fifty  Indians,  made  an  attack  on  Apple  River  Fort,  near  the 
present  village  of  Elizabeth,  111.,  and  twelve  miles  from  Galena. 
This  work  was  a  square  stockade  of  logs  driven  into  the  ground, 
and  strcn<'-thcned  with  a  block-house  at  each  angle.  It  was 
garrisoned  with  twenty-five  men  under  ('apt.  Stone;  and  was 
designed  as  a  place  of  refuge,  during  the  night,  for  the  miners 
and  their  families,  although,  during  the  day,  they  attended  to 
their  affairs  outside  the  walls,  as  they  hid  done  before  the  war. 
In  the  afternoon  of  the  day  in  .juestion,  an  express  of  three 
men,  on  its  way  from  Galena  to  Dixon's  I'crry,  passed  the  fort, 
and  had  not  proceeded  more  than  three  hundred  and  fifty  jards, 
before  it  was  fired  on  by  the  Indians,  who  were  concealed  in  the 
bushes.  One  of  the  three  was  womided  ;  and,  although  all  were 
intoxicated,  his  comrades  covered  his  retreat  to  the  fort,  afford- 
ing an  opportunity,  at  the  same  time,  for  the  miners  and  their 
families  to  secure  their  safety  in  the  same  manner.  As  the  ex- 
press entered  the  fort,  the  enemy  dismounted,  hitched  his  horses, 
anil  opened  a  heavy  fire  on  it  for  upwards  of  an  hour,  without 
inflicting  any  injury  beyond  killing  one  man,  and  wounding 
another.  At  length  the  Indians  entered  the  log-houses  which 
.stood  near  the  fort,  and,  having  knocked  holes  in  the  walls  for 
portholes,  they  continued  the  fire,  without  exposing  themselves 


164 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


to  that  of  the  garrison.  Finding  that  his  rifles  were  useless  in 
such  an  attack,  and  fearing  to  set  fire  to  the  fort,  or  to  the 
houses,  lest  the  liglit  or  the  smoke  should  discover  their  position, 
and  direct  the  army  or  the  people  in  their  pursuit,  Black  Hawk 
"  thought  it  more  prudent  to  he  content  with  what  floui',  pro- 
visions, cattle,  and  horses  he  could  find,"  and  to  retire.  Before 
doing  this,  however,  it  is  said,  the  Indians  plundered  the  houses, 
"  chopping,  splitting,  and  tearing  up  a  quantity  of  fine  furni- 
ture." It  is  said  by  an  eye-witness,  that  "  there  was  scarcely  a 
man  or  woman  that  was  left  with  a  second  suit  of  clothing." 
They  went  into  my  father's  house,  '*  he  continues.  There  was  a 
large  bureau  full  of  fine  clothes ;  and  they  took  six  fine  cloth 
coats  and  a  number  of  fine  ruffled  shirts.  With  their  tomahawks 
they  split  the  drawers,  and  took  the  contents.  Tliey  ripped 
open  the  bedticks,  emptied  the  feathers,  took  all  the  bed-cloth- 
ing, and  broke  all  the  delf  in  the  cupboards.  Some  of  the  out- 
houses were  kept  for  the  purpose  of  storing  away  provisions. 
They  got  into  those  houses,  where  a  number  of  flour-barrels  were 
stowed  away.  They  would  lie  down  on  their  faces,  and  roll  a 
barrel  after  them  until  they  would  get  into  a  ravine,  where  they 
were  out  of  danger,  and  then  would  empty  the  barrels  of  flour. 
After  they  had  destroyed  this  necessary  article,  and  when  they 
found  they  could  not  succeed  in  taking  the  fort,  as  ihey  ex- 
pected, they  commenced  a  warfare  upon  the  stock.  They  killed 
all  the  cattle  that  were  near  the  fort,  and  took  a  number  of  fine 
horses,  to  the  number  of  about  twenty,  which  were  never  got 
again  by  their  owners."  At  length,  having  remained  before  the 
fort  fifteen  hours,  and  done  all  the  damage  they  could,  the 
Indians  retired  with  the  loss  of  several  of  their  number. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  volunteers  which  Gov.  Rej-nolds  had 
called  for  had  assembled  at  Fort  Wilbourne,  been  organized  into 
three  brigades,  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States, 
and  ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Dixon's  Ferry.  The  battalion 
of  spies,  commanded  by  Major  John  Dement,  and  attached  to 
the  first  brigade,  Avas  ordered  to  move  forward  as  an  advance- 
guard  ;  and  it  had  reached  Kellogg's  Grove,  when,  on  the 
morning  of  the  25th  of  June,  an  express  reached  that  place, 
reporting  the  existence  of  a  heavy  trail  on  the  north  side  of  the 
grove.    At  daylight,  the  major  went  out  with  twenty-five  men 


ai 
ai 
e] 


HISTORY  OF   WISCOySlN. 


166 


to  reconnoitre,  at  the  same  time  directing  the  remainder  of  his 
battalion  to  saddle  theiv  horses,  and  hold  themselves  in  readi- 
ness to  act  as  circumstances  might  warrant.  He  had  not  pro- 
ceeded far  from  his  encampment,  before  he  discovered  a  small 
party  of  Indians,  when  part  of  his  men,  disregarding  his  orders, 
pursued  it,  and  were  drawn  into  an  ambuscade.  The  major 
immediatel}'  formed  those  who  remained  with  him,  together  with 
a  few  who  had  followed  from  the  encampment,  into  a  covering 
party ;  and  with  them  he  gallantly  endeavored  to  rescue  those 
who  had  been  led  into  danger.  The  yells  of  the  enemy,  as  he 
rushed  from  his  coverts,  intimidated  the  greater  part  of  those 
who  were  with  him ;  and  they  fled,  leaving  the  major  to  contend 
with  the  enemy,  with  but  few  supporters.  With  these  he  gal- 
lantly resisted  the  Indians,  while,  at  the  same  time,  he  fell  back 
on  the  main  body,  and  occupied  a  line  of  log-houses,  from  which 
he  was  enabled  to  hold  them  in  check,  until,  an  hour  afterwards, 
they  retired,  with  the  loss  of  nine  of  their  niunber.  Although 
the  strength  of  the  whites  was  much  greater  than  that  of  the 
Indians  (the  latter  being  the  same  party,  under  Black  Hawk, 
who  had  attacked  the  Apple  River  Fort  on  the  preceding  day), 
and  although  the  personal  gallantry  of  the  Major  called  forth 
the  admiration  of  the  chief  who  opposed  him,  and  afforded  an 
example  to  his  men  which  they  did  not  imitate,  this  affair  has 
properly  been  considered  a  defeat  of  tlie  whites,  of  whom  five 
Avere  killed,  and  three  wounded.  Upwards  of  sixty  horses  be- 
longing to  the  battalion  were  also  killed. 

While  Major  Dement  was  thus  engaged,  one  of  his  men  was 
sent  back  to  Gen.  Posey  for  assistance,  and  met  him  on  the 
road;  but,  notwithstanding  his  march  was  quickened,  the 
Indians  had  retired  in  the  direction  of  Lake  Koshkonong  before 
he  could  reach  the  field  of  battle. 

During  the  succeeding  three  or  four  weeks,  the  several  divis- 
ions of  the  forces  appear  to  have  succeeded  in  none  of  their 
undertakings.  At  one  time  they  concentrated  their  strength  in 
the  vicinity  of  Koshkonong  Lake,  probably  for  the  purpose  of 
enclosing  the  enemy,  who  was  supposed  to  have  been  there  ;  and 
at  another,  finding  that  Black  Hawk  had  slipped  away  from  them, 
and  scattered  his  forces,  they,  too,  separated,  and  Avent  in  differ- 
ent directions  in  pursuit  of  the  fragments  of  their  enemy's  party. 


:h1 


11 


166 


n  I  STORY  OF   WISCONSIN.    . 


At  one  time,  the  several  divisions,  in  full  pursuit,  promised  a 
speedy  termination  of  the  conflict ;  at  another,  a  few  days  after- 
wards, they  were  brought  to  a  sudden  halt  for  the  want  of  sup- 
plies, or  the  victims  of  Indian  shrewdness  (the  deception  of  an 
enemy  can  be  called  nothing  more  than  this),  in  leading  them 
into  quagmires  and  over  streams,  which,  without  bridges,  were 
impassable. 

At  the  same  time,  the  Indians  were  not  in  a  condition  to  take 
complete  advantage  of  these  delays  and  mistakes.  Originally 
entering  Illinois  without  a  liostile  intent,  and  accompanied  with 
their  women  and  children,  and  all  their  worldly  effects,  —  a  peo- 
ple returning  to  the  homes  of  their  fathers,  as  the  Israelites  re- 
turned from  Egypt,  —  they  had  been  forced  into  a  war  without 
preparation,  or  the  opportunity  to  disencumber  themselves  of 
their  families ;  and  they  were  not  only  checked  in  their  move- 
ments from  this  cause,  but  they  were  also  suffering  for  the 
means  of  subsistence.  A  gallant  officer  of  the  army,  then  with 
the  troops,  has  recently  alluded  to  the  position  of  the  Indians  on 
the  White  Water  and  Rock  Rivers,  and  said  that  "  here  they 
found  some  game,  roots,  and  vegetable  substances,  on  which 
they  had  subsisted  or  existed.  But  our  delays,  our  marches  and 
countermarches,  had  misled  and  deceived  them,  and  prevented 
them  from  separating  to  hunt  or  fish  :  hence  their  suiiplies  were 
exhausted,  and  they  were  actuall)'  in  a  state  of  starvation.  Our 
masterly  inactivity,  occasioned  by  treacherous  advice,  and  want 
of  stores,  had  already  conquered  them ;  but  we  were  not  yet 
aware  of  this  fact."  The  brave  but  unfortunate  Black  Hawk 
also  bears  testimony  to  the  same  sad  truths.  "  During  our  en- 
campment at  the  Four  Lakes,"  he  says,  "  we  were  hard  put  to 
to  obtain  enough  to  eat  to  support  nature.  Situated  in  a  swampy, 
marshy  country  (which  had  been  selected  in  consequence  of  the 
great  difficulty  required  to  gain  access  thereto),  there  was  but 
little  game  of  any  sort  to  be  found ;  and  fish  were  equally  scarce. 
The  great  distance  of  any  settlement,  and  the  impossibility  of 
bringing  supplies  therefrom,  if  any  could  have  been  obtained, 
deterred  our  j'oung  men  from  making  further  attempts.  We 
were  forced  to  dig  roots,  and  bark  trees,  to  obtain  something  to 
satisfy  hunger,  and  keep  us  alive.  Several  of  our  old  people 
became  so  much  reduced  as  actually  to  die  with  hunger." 


niSTORY  OF  xviscoystN. 


167 


The  singular  spectacle  was  thus  seen  of  two  contending  forces 
severailj^  held  in  check  by  the  want  of  the  means  of  support, 
and  of  each  being  ignorant  of  the  position  or  condition  of  the 
other.  For  the  purpose  of  relieving  the  wants  of  the  whites, 
Gens.  Henry  and  Alexander,  and  Col.  Dodge,  with  their 
commands,  were  detached  to  Fort  Winnebago  for  a  supply  of 
provisions  for  twelve  days ;  while,  for  the  relief  of  the  Indians, 
soon  afterwards.  Black  Hawk  "  concluded  to  remove  his  women 
and  children  across  the  Mississippi,  that  they  might  return  to 
the  Sauk  nation  again,  "  while,  it  is  probable,  he  with  his  braves 
intended  to  continue  the  contest. 

It  appears  that  Gen.  Alexander  returned  to  the  camp  with 
the  stores,  while  Gen.  Henry  and  Col.  Dodge,  with  their  com- 
mands, moved  towards  the  Hock  River  Rapids  in  search  of  the 
enemy.  Without  knowing  that  the  escort  had  not  included  the 
entire  detachment,  Black  Hawk  immediately  moved  towards 
the  Wisconsin  River,  with  the  purpose  of  descending  that 
stream  to  the  Mississippi,  and  was  hastening  in  that  direction 
when  Gen.  Alexander  and  Col.  Dodge  struck  his  trail.  The 
bones  of  horses  which  had  been  killed  to  prevent  the  star- 
vation of  the  women  and  children  were  hourly  passed,  and 
eventually  a  few  stragglers  in  their  rear  were  'discovered  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Wisconsin. 

At  this  moment,  the  force  of  the  whites,  under  Gen.  Henry 
and  Col.  Dodge,  embraced  a  thousand  men,  besides  a  battal- 
ion of  volunteers  from  Michigan  and  Galena,  and  was  well  sup- 
plied with  stores,  and  anxious  for  the  engagement ;  while  that 
under  Black  Hawk  numbered  less  than  three  himdred  half- 
starved  and  dispirited  warriors.  A  rear-guard  of  twenty  men, 
under  Ne-a-pope,  had  been  thrown  back,  to  give  notice  of  the 
approach  of  the  whites ;  and  the  remainder  of  the  party  was  bu- 
sily employed  in  transporting  the  women  and  children,  the  aged 
and  the  infirm,  to  an  island  in  the  river,  when  suddenly  (the 
outpost  having  been  avoided)  the  head  of  the  American  col- 
umn came  in  sight.  Black  Hawk  was  then  compelled  to  fight, 
or  to  sacrifice  his  women  and  children,  and  the  helpless  of  his 
party ;  and  he  appears  to  have  acted  promptly  and  honorably  in 
the  emergency.  Leaving  the  greater  part  of  his  party  to  con- 
tinue the  removal  of  their  families,  with  fifty  braves  he  went 


:>1 


108 


ir/STony  of  wiscoy.-^/N. 


out  to  meet  Gen.  Henry,  and  dispute  ]m  progress.  He  wag 
well  mounted  ;  and,  after  addressing  liis  warriors  in  a  few  well- 
timed  remarks,  he  moved  forAvurd,  and  endeavored  to  secure  a 
position  on  a  liigh  ground  near  by,  "  that  he  might  liavo  some 
advantage  over  the  whites." 

In  the  mean  time,  Gen.  Henry  had  formed  his  troops,  and  was 
ready  for  action.  His  first  line  was  formed  with  Major  Erving's 
"  Spy  Battalion "  in  the  centre,  the  companies  under  Capts, 
Gentry  and  Clark  on  the  right,  and  those  under  Capts.  Camp 
and  Parkinson  on  the  left.  His  second  line  was  composed  ( 
Col.  CoUins's  regiment  in  the  centre,  with  that  under  Col.  Fry 
on  his  right.  His  men  were  all  dismounted,  and  his  horses  were 
left  in  the  rear,  the  central  man  of  each  section  of  seven  having 
been  detailed  for  that  purpose  ;  and  he  had  formed  his  men  on 
foot,  in  the  order  referred  to,  and  had  prepared  for  action. 

Against  this  force,  Black  Hawk  and  his  fifty  braves  moved, 
without  wavering,  or  manifesting  the  least  fear,  "  raising  the 
war-hoop,  screaming  and  yelling  hideously,  and  rushing  forward, 
meeting  it  with  a  heavy  charge."  The  superior  force  of  the 
whites,  however,  insured  the  safety  of  their  positions ;  and 
"with  a  tremendous  volley  of  musketry,  accompanied  with 
the  most  terrific  ;fells  that  ever  came  from  the  head  of  mortals, 
except  from  the  savages  themselves,"  they  succeeded  in  occu- 
pying the  high  ground  which  Black  Hawk  aimed  to  secure, 
and  in  driving  the  fifty  Indians  into  a  deep  ravine,  notwith- 
standing the  determined  attempts  of  the  latter  to  turn,  first  the 
left  of  the  American  line,  and  then  its  right.  With  the  utmost 
determination  the  fifty  "savnues"  withstood  the  three  regi- 
ments and  two  battalions  of  whites  (but  little  less  savage  than 
the  former,  in  their  habits  and  mode  of  warfare,  and  much 
more  so  in  the  spirit  which  actuated  them)  until  sunset,  Avhen, 
"  finding  that  the  whites  would  not  come  near  enough  to  receive 
his  fire  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  and  hiowing  that  the  women 
and  children  had  had  nvfficient  time  to  reach  the  island  hi  the 
Wisconsin"  Black  Hawk  ordered  his  warriors  to  disperse  in 
different  directions,  and  to  "  meet  him  at  the  Wisconsin  ; "  and, 
strange  as  it  may  appear,  the  victors  "were  not  disposed  to 
pursue  them." 

The  loss  of  the  whites  in  this  action  was  one  killed  and  eight 


170 


JIIRTORY  or   WtSCONSIS. 


wounded  ;  and  althougli  the  army  isiipjiosed  that  of  the  Indians 
to  have  been  "  about  sixty  killed,  and  a  pieat  number  wounded," 
there  is  no  reason  to  disbelieve  Hluck  Hawk  when  lie  says,  "I 
defended  my  passage  over  tlie  Wiseonsin  with  the  loss  of  only 
six  men,  though  opposed  by  a  host  of  mounted  militia." 

In  recording  the  result  of  this  engagement,  the  battle  of  Wis- 
consin Heights,  July  21,  1832,  it  is  difficult  to  determine  which 
to  admire  most,  —  the  self-sacrificing  si)irit  of  the  chief  and 
liis  fifty  braves,  or  tlie  skill  and  determination  with  which  they 
accomplished  their  purposes.  And  IJlack  Hawk,  in  referring  to 
it,  was  excusable  in  indulging  in  a  little  self-gratulation,  when 
lie  remarked,  "  Whatever  may  be  the  sentiments  of  the  white 
people  in  relation  to  this  battle,  my  nation,  though  fallen,  will 
award  to  me  the  reputation  of  a  great  brave  in  conducting  it." 

During  the  succeeding  day,  the  troops  remained  on  the  field 
of  battle ;  and,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  2.3d,  they  were 
terrified  by  the  sound  of  something  on  a  neighboring  hill-top, 
which,  in  their  fright,  they  supposed  was  an  Indian  chief  giv- 
ing orders  to  his  men.  In  the  mean  time,  while  part  of  the 
Indians  descended  the  Wisconsin,  with  the  hope  of  reaching 
the  Mississippi  more  speedily.  Black  Hawk  and  his  band  started 
over  the  rugged  country  for  tlie  same  purpose.  His  progress 
was  necessarily  slow  ;  and,  ha>Ting  no  means  of  support,  several 
of  his  old  men  and  little  children  perished  from  hunger  on  the 
way.  Soon  afterwards.  Gen.  Atldnson,  with  the  main  body  of 
the  army,  joined  in  the  pursuit  of  the  famishing  "  invaders  "  of 
Illinois;  and  following  their  trail  over  the  "rugged  country" 
of  which  the  chief  speaks,  as  will  be  seen,  he  came  up  with 
them  near  the  mouth  of  the  Bad  Axe. 

While  the  Indians  and  their  pursuers  were  thus  traversing 
the  Avilderness  towards  the  Upper  Mississippi,  intelligence  of 
the  action  at  the  Wisconsin  Heights  was  conveyed  to  Prairie 
du  Chien  by  express ;  and  Col.  Loomis,  the  commander  of  that 
post,  immediately  employed  a  steamboat  to  cruise  on  the  river, 
and  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  miserable  fugitives.  This  ves- 
sel ("  The  Enterprise  ")  soon  gave  place  to  a  faster  one  ("  The 
Warrior " )  ;  and  on  the  Ist  of  August  she  discovered  the 
Indians  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Bad 
Axe,  mailing  preparation,'}  to  cross  the  river.     The  chief  was  ac- 


nrsTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


171 


quainteJ  with  the  captain  of  the  vessel,  and  onk^rcd  hia  war- 
rif)rs  not  to  fire,  "  as  he  intenck^l  to  po  on  hoard  of  Ikt,  so  that 
he  might  save  their  women  and  chihU-cn  ;  "  and,  M'ith  this  pur- 
pose, he  disphiyed  a  white  flag,  "and  called  to  the  captain. of 
the  hoat,  telling  him  to  send  his  little  canoe  ashore,  and  let  him 
come  on  hoard."  He  was  hailed  from  the  hoat  with  the  in- 
quiry if  they  were  Sauks,  or  Winnehagoes ;  and,  when  he  an- 
swered they  were  Sauks,  a  fire  was  opened  on  him  and  his 
party,  with  a  six-pounder,  by  Lieut,  Kingsbury,  and  a  detach- 
ment of  regular  troops,  who  occupied  the  forward-tlcck  of  the 
boat.  As  Lieut.  Kingsbury  and  Capt.  Throckmorton  of  "  The 
Warrior  "  have  stated  that  they  saw  the  flag,  this  fire  appears 
to  have  been  a  wilful  violation  of  every  rule  which  governs 
the  actions  of  military  men ;  and  when  Black  Hawk's  party 
returned  the  fire  with  their  small-arms,  they  were  justified  by 
every  law  both  civil  and  military. 

After  the  first  discharge  of  the  six-pounder,  the  Indians  took 
to  the  trees,  and  returned  the  fire,  keeping  it  up  until  "  The 
Warrior  "  found  it  necessary  to  return  to  Prairie  du  Chien  for 
another  supply  of  fuel. 

It  is  said  that  twenty-three  warriors  were  killed  in  this  dis- 
graceful affair ;  while  of  the  crew  of  "  The  Warrior,"  .and  the 
troops  on  board  of  her,  only  one  was  wounded. 

On  the  following  morning  (Aug.  2),  Gen.  Atkinson  and 
his  force  approached  the  Mississippi ;  and  at  an  early  hour  the 
spies  came  in  sight  of  the  Lidian  outposts.  The  latter  imme- 
diately attempted  to  surrender  by  exhibiting  a  white  flag ;  "  but 
the  whites  paid  no  attention  to  their  entreaties,  and  com- 
menced slaughtering  them. "  When  forced  to  resist,  or  submit 
to  the  sacrifice,  they  resolved  to  sell  their  lives  dearly,  and  re- 
turned the  fire.  The  main  body  hastening  forward  to  support 
its  light  troops,  the  Indians  slowly  retired,  firing  as  they  re- 
treated, and  fell  back  on  their  main  body,  which  was  on  the 
bottom,  busily  employed  in  transporting  the  women  and  chil- 
dren, and  the  aged  and  infirm,  over  the  Mississippi. 

At  this  moment,  the  scene  was  a  touching  one.  In  front  were 
a  people  who  had  been  led,  by  influences  which  controlled  their 
action,  to  seek  the  recovery  of  the  homes  of  their  fathers,  which 
had  been  fraudulently  taken  from  them  by  the  whites  5  and  who, 


172 


n/STOUt'  OF  fr/scoysrtr. 


in  tlie  course  of  their  journey,  without  provocation  on  ti  eir 
part,  and  without  any  overt  act  of  liostility,  had  been  forced  o 
resort  to  arms  in  defence  of  their  li%c3  and  the  lives  of  their 
famiUcs  who  accompanied  tliem.  Without  friends  to  counsel 
theiii,  without  aid  to  strengthen  their  force,  witliout  food  to  sus- 
tain the  demands  of  nature,  without  sympathy,  aiid  denounced 
as  "mojistcrs"  of  the  most  hideous  character,  they  had  been 
liurled  from  one  point  to  another  with  all  the  power  of  the 
Federal  Government,  with  all  the  voluntary  strength  of  Illinois, 
Michigan,  and  Wisconsin,  and  with  all  the  energy  of  indi- 
vidual cupidity.  Seeking  shelter  in  the  Fwamps,  they  liad 
sought  existence  among  the  roots  wliich  they  could  dig  up,  or 
the  young  grass,  whicli  they  boiled  for  their  little  ones,  or  the 
bark  which  they  pulled  from  the  trees  for  those  who  required 
more  delicate  nourislnnent ;  or  flying  anxiously  towards  the 
Mississippi,  the  boundary  of  their  new  homes,  they  had  killed 
their  horses  for  their  families'  nourishment,  leaving  nothing  but 
the  bones  and  the  hair  of  the  animals  to  tell  the  story  of  their 
sufferings.  Those  who,  from  any  cause,  had  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  tlicir  pursuers  had  been  "  left  behind,"  as  it  was 
heartlessly  called,  notwithstanding  their  "  jjleas  for  quarters  ;  " 
and  wlien  they  had  begged  for  peace  and  shelter,  and  had  urgi>d 
the  acknowledgment  of  tn-  sacred  character  of  a  wliite  Hag,  a 
Federal  cannon,  and  Federal  grape  and  canister,  had  communi- 
cated the  answer  of  the  Federal  Government  to  their  mercy, 
and  the  indorsement  of  the  Federal  Government  of  the  acts  of 
their  spoilers.  They  were  now  busily  engaged  in  removing 
their  families  to  their  acknowledged  liomcs.  With  canoes  and 
temporary  rafts,  on  horseback,  or  being  towed  over  by  their 
faitlii'ul  steeds,  and  even  by  swimming,  bearing  their  little  ones 
on  llicir  backs  as  they  went,  tlie  women  were  eagerly  pressing 
forward  to  a  place  of  supposed  safety,  while  their  husl)ands  and 
fathers  and  brothers,  as  B'ack  Hawk  had  done  at  the  Wiscon- 
sin, covered  the  retreat  by  preparing  for  battle. 

Behind  these,  five  times  more  numerous  than  they,  were  the 
Federal  troops  and  the  vohmteers;  the  latter  not  less  savage, 
in  every  respect,  than  tlic  Julians,  who  were  the  instruments  of 
their  spoliation,  or  the  supporters  of  the  wrtmg.  Tlic  former, 
under  their  experienced  and  gallant  officers,  were  but  the  iustru- 


BISTORT  OF   WISCOySIN. 


173 


ments  of  an  unjust  policy  of  the  government  under  whose  orders 
they  acted ;  while  *  ne  latter,  moving  in  their  own  cause,  were 
regardless  of  discipline  or  order,  relentless  in  their  animosities 
against  an  unresisting  or  an  overpowered  enemy,  unreliable,  if 
not  cowardly,  bexorc  a  determined  opponent,  and  anxious  for  the 
slaughter  rather  than  the  battle.  The  latter  had  been  formed 
in  ordor  of  battle,  —  Gens.  Pasey  and  Alexander,  with  their 
brigades,  being  moved  to  the  extreme  right,  up  the  river,  to 
prevent  the  escape  of  the  Indians  in  that  direction;  Cols. 
Jones  and  Collins,  and  Major  Erving,  with  their  regiments, 
under  Gen.  Henry,  in  line,  moving  down  against  the  Indians ; 
Gen.  Dodge  with  his  volunteers,  and  Col.  Zachary  Taylor 
with  the  regular  troops,  on  the  right,  being  engaged  with  the 
outposts  of  the  Indians  ;  and  Col.  Fry,  with  his  regiment,  cover- 
ing the  rear.  After  a  short  contest.  Gen.  Dodge  and  Col.  Tay- 
lor, with  their  commands,  moved  to  the  loft,  and  joined  the  line 
in  its  attack  on  the  main  body  of  the  Indians ;  and  with  such 
resolution  did  the  latter  defend  themselves,  and  cover  the 
retreat  of  their  families,  that  soon  afterwards  the  companies 
commanded  by  Capts.  Gentry,  Gruer,  and  Ilichardson,  and  the 
regiment  of  Col.  Fry,  —  the  former  generals.  Dodge  and  Alexan- 
der, on  the  extreme  right;  the  latter,  from  the  .rear,  —  were 
found  necessary  to  support  and  strengthen  the  line  of  attack. 
The  action  on  the  river-bottom  continued  but  little  longer, 
when  the  Indians,  overpowered,  eiJier  fell  before  the  rifles  of 
their  pursuers,  or  fled  to  one  of  the  iL-lands,  with  wl'ich  the 
Mississippi,  at  this  place,  abounds,  vainly  hoping  that  they 
would  not  be  pursued. 

Unfortunately  for  the  luckless  fugitives,  at  this  moment  (ten 
in  the  morning)  the  steamboat  "  Warrior "  returned  to  the 
Eccne  of  her  exploit  on  the  preceding  evening,  and  opened  fire 
with  her  cannon  on  the  fugitives  (men,  women,  and  children), 
wlio  were  huddled  together  on  the  islands  referred  to ;  and  at 
the  same  time  she  sent  her  two  boats  to  transport  the  regular 
troops,  under  Col.  Taylor,  to  the  islands,  to  complete  the  Avork 
of  destruction.  As  may  be  readily  supposed,  the  scene  no 
longer  deserves  the  name  of  a  battle,  as  it  possesseil  none  of  the 
characteristics  of  one.  It  wp-,  in  truth,  a  massacre  of  unresist- 
ing Indiiii,  •  of  every  age  and  sex ;  and,  of  the  entire  party,  only 
cue  escaped. 


tn 


iiisTOJir  OF  wiscoNSiy. 


In  this  important  engagement,  the  battle  of  the  Bad  Axe, 
Aug.  2,  1832,  tlie  wliites  lobt  twenty-seven  killed  and  Avounded ; 
while  of  the  Indians  it  is  supposed  that  one  hundred  and 
fift}'  were  killed.  It  is  said  by  an  ej'e-witncss,  tliat,  "  when 
the  Indians  were  driven  to  the  baidc  of  the  ^Mississippi,  some 
hundreds  of  men,  women,  and  children,  plunged  into  the  river, 
and  lioped,  Ijy  diving,  to  escape  tlie  bullets  of  our  guns.  Very 
few,  however,  escaped  our  sharpshooters ;  and  those  who  did 
escape  to  the  -western  bank  of  the  jNIississiiipi  Avere  butchered 
in  cold  blood  by  a  part}"  of  Dakolas,  —  their  hereditary  ene- 
mies,—  Avho  had  been  brought  there  for  tliat  purpose  by  tlie 
Federal  officers. 

This  Avas  tlie  finishing  stroke  of  the  Avar.  The  vengeance  of 
the  government,  like  Die  mutterings  from  Moloch  in  the  Valley 
of  Tophet,  having  been  appeased  by  the  sacrifice  of  (he  scpiaws 
and  their  children,  if  not  by  that  of  the  braves  Avho  had  fallen 
by  hunger  or  the  rifle-ball,  no  longer  asked  for  blood  ;  Avhile  the 
settlers  ill  Illinois  and  Wisconsin,  no  longer  annoyed  l)y  "the 
monsters  "  Avho  had  dared  to  ask  a  restoration  of  the  homes  and 
the  graves  of  their  fathers,  turned  back  to  enjoy  the  plunder  of 
AA'hich  theii'  cruelties  had  confirmed  the  pos.sessinn.  Soon  after- 
wards, tlic  gallant  chief — AA-ortiiy  a  better  fate  —  surrendered 
himself  into  the  hands  of  the  Federal  authoiities;  and.  like 
many  a  patriot  in  ancient  times,  he  Avas  chained  to  IIh^  ear  of 
the  victor,  and  gave  cclat  to  the  triumphal  march  of  the  con- 
(jneror  through  the  country. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


THE  ITORTH-WESTERX  TERUITOKY. 


1783. 


The  Old  North-western  Territory  — Virsinia's  ■ruriMlidiion  —  Onliuance  of  17S7  — 
Or;;ai)ization  of  Imliann,  Jlicliigaii,  lUiiiuis,  and  Wistcmaiu  Territories  —  Tlie 
First  Settlers  of  Wisconsin  —  Grceu  Bay  —  Military  Government  —  Courts  and 
Trials. 

The  judicial  and  legislative  history  of  what  is  now  known  as 
the  State  of  Wisconsin  is  so  intimately  connected  with  that  of 
the  atljacent  Territory,  tliat  it  will  be  necessary  to  give,  in  an 
abridged  form,  a  history  of  the  whole,  or  what  is  usually  knoAvn 
as  the  Xorth-western  Territory. 

In  consequence  of  the  con<iuest  of  the  Ilhnois  country  by 
Col.  George  Rogers  Clark,  Virginia  claimed  the  Territory  of 
which  wliat  is  now  Wisconsin  formed  a  part,  l)ut 
ceded  it  to  the  General  Government  ilarch  1,  1T84. 
At  the  pacification  of  1783,  Great  Britain  recognized  the  north- 
ern lakes  as  the  boundary ;  but,  as  several  of  our  States  passed 
acts  thwarting  the  collection  of  British  debts.  Great  Britain 
refused  to  surrender  the  North-west  Territory  until  179G,  when 
it  was  yielded,  under  provision  of  Jay's  Treaty,  the  preceding 
year. 

Meanwhile,  a  government  was  provided  for  the  territory 
north-west  of  the  Ohio  River  by  the  celebrated  ordinance  of 
July  13,  1787.  On  the  7th  of  August,  1780,  an  act  of  Congress 
was  passed  to  give  full  effect  to  the  ordinance  of  1787,  and  to 
adapt  it  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  providing  for 
the  organization  of  a  government  consisting  of  executive,  legis- 
lative, and  judicial  departments. 

By  the  Act  of  Congress  approved  May  7,  1800,  it  was  pro- 
vided that  all  that  part  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States 
lying  north-west  of  the  Ohio  River,  with  certain  specified  boun- 

170 


ri: 

cfi; 

ma 

1)01 

all 
of 


mSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


17V 


1809. 


1818. 


daries  (including  Wisconsin),  should  Le  constituted  a  separate 
Territory,  called  the  Indiana  Territory ;  and  by  an  act  of  Con- 
gress of  Jan.  11,  1805,  the  latter  Territory  was  divided,  and 
the  Territory  of  Jlichigan  was  organized ;  and  the  same  pro- 
visions Avere  made  respecting  the  tenure  of  office  of  the  judges, 
and  other  offices,  as  in  the  original  ordinance.  By  this  organi- 
zation, what  is  now  Wisconsin  was  not  included  in  the  Michi- 
gan Territory,  but  remained  a  portion  of  Indiana  Territory. 

15y  an  Act  of  Congress  approved  Feb.  3,  1809,  a  division 
was  made  of  Indiana  Territory,  and  a  separate  Territory  consti- 
tuted, called  Illinois ;  and,  by  the  provisions  of  this 
act,  WisvOnsin  then  became  a  part  of  the  new  organi- 
zation. Illinois  was  admitted  as  a  Stat'^  iiy  act  of  Congress  of 
April  18,  1818,  which  established  tbo  north  boundary  of  that 
State  at  forty-two  degrees  and  thirty  minutes  nortl  latitude,  and 
provided  that  all  the  remaining  part  of  the  North- west  Territory 
lying  north  of  such  northern  boundary  should  be  ittached  to, 
and  made  part  of,  Michigan  Territory  ;  including  all 
of  the  present  State  of  Wisconsin,  part  of  Iowa,  all  of 
Minnesota,  and  a  part  of  \  -hat  now  constitutes  the  Territory  of 
Dakota.  The  only  settlen^ents  which  had  been  made  uji  to- 
this  time,  within  what  now  constitutes  the  State  of  Wisconsin, 
consisted,  principally,  of  Frenci-  and  English  traders,  and  were 
at,  and  in  the  vicinity  of,  fortt^  and  trading-posts;  those  at 
Green  Bay  and  Prairie  du  Chicn  being  the  only  ones  of  any 
particvdar  importance.  By  the  treaty  of  peace  of  178o,  and  by 
Jay's  Treaty  of  1795,  ii.  n'ls  stipulated  by  the  English  Govern- 
ment, that  the  North-webN'''n  Territory,  with  its  forts,  trading- 
posts,  and  dependencies,  .should  be  surrendered  and  transferred 
to  the  United  States .  anc'  dl  the  inhabitants,  of  whatever 
nation,  then  res"  •  "f  ■  country,  were  to  be  protected  in 
the  full  and  .  i.ul  possession  of  their  property,  with  the 
right  to  reraaii.  in,  or,  at  their  option,  to  withdraw,  with  their 
effect;,  from  the  country  and  one  year  was  allowed  them  to 
make  their  election.  A:,  who  did  not  withdraw  within  that 
period  Avcre  to  be  dce;,ied  American  citizens,  allowed  to  enjoy 
all  the  privileges  of  citizciLship^  and  to  be  under  the  protection- 
of  the  government. 

But  few  of  the  settlers  left  the  country ;  but  of  those  who' 
u 


178 


n  I  STORY  OF   WISCOSSIN. 


remained  nearlv  all  who  were  French  or  English  were  siibse- 
qnently  found  in  the  ranks  of  the  enemies  of  the  United  States. 
Several  bore  commissions  under  the  King  of  England,  and,  with 
their  English  allies,  assisted  iu  taking  Mackinac,  Detroit,  Prai- 
rie du  Chien,  and  other  places  during  the  war  of  1812-15. 

Notwithstanding  these  trei>ty  stipulations,  the  jurisdiction 
which  the  United  States  exercised  in  the  Territory  previous  to 
the  war  of  1812  was  nominal  rather  than  real ;  and,  during  the 
war,  nearly  all  of  this  portion  of  the  North-west  was  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  British ;  and  the  few  Americans  who  resided  here 
were,  in  fact,  subject  to  their  authority.  At  the  termination  of 
the  war,  actual  possession  was  taken  by  the  American  troops  in 
the  North-west. 

Hon.  II.  S.  Baird  of  Green  Bay,*  who  settled  at  1"  't  place 
in  1824,  says,  "  At  that  date  there  were  at  the  '  Bay  /Ut  six 
or  eight  resident  families,  and  the  families  of  the  officers  sta- 
tioned at  Fort  Howard,  in  number  about  the  same. 
The  character  of  the  people  was  a  compound  of  civili- 
zation and  primitive  simplicity,  exhibiting  the  polite  and  lively 
characteristics  of  the  French,  and  the  thoughtlessness  and 
improvidence  of  the  aborigines.  With  few  wants,  and  contented 
and  happy  hearts,  they  found  enjoyment  in  the  merry  dance,  the 
sleigh-ride,  and  similar  amusements,  and,  doubtless,  experienced 
more  true  happiness  and  contentment  than  the  plodding,  calcu- 
lating,  and  money-seeking  people  of  the   present  day.     The 


1824. 


•  Mr.  .Tauies  Vf.  Diddle  of  Pittsburg,  Pcnn.,  states,  that,  \n  the  fall  of  1810,  he 
was  connected  with  Col.  .laines  Thniiias  in  the  supply  of  the  troops  lit  Detroit, 
Maikinaw,  Cliii  a(;o,  and  Green  Bay,  witli  an  nndeistaiidiiij;  that  a  ndlitniy  post 
Bhould  be  estalilislied  »t  the  latter  plare  within  the  year.  The  post  at  Mat  kiuaw 
was  tlicii  under  poDiiiiand  of  Col.  Talbot  Chambers;  but  in  Anpiist,  or  there- 
abouts, Col.  .fohii  iMilIer,  afiiTwards  Clovernor  of  Mn.soiiri,  arrived,  and,  liiUlug 
conmiaud,  detern.ineil  ou  establishiui;  :i  post  at  Green  Ray.  Vessels  were  aiiord- 
Inftly  chartered;  and  iluce  companies  of  rilleuien  and  infantry  wore  p\it  on  board. 
Mr.  Uiddlo  supplied  ilm  provi->iona.  In  tim  month  of  Oi  tober,  IHKi,  tlie  ti.wips 
were  occupying  qua.lin  prepared  for  them  by  Col.  Gratiot,  the  cn;:iiieoi  who 
a»!cinnpanicd  C..1  Miller  to  the  pi>»'  The  fort  at  (Ircnii  Uay.  calb  d  "  I'm  t  llmv- 
ard,"  was  liuilt  lower  down  l'o.\  Uiver,  and  oo.iivr  the  laki-  ilian  any  of  ilio  seiilo- 
menta,  and  ou  the  rt;;lit  us  yon  asceudwV  (ho  river.  This  fort  was  an  important 
point  in  Wisconsin;  and  its  history  nnder  tho  variuus  ndlitary  ofiicers  of  the 
I'aitctl  Suics,  .some  of  whom  \m'vi'  subsei|Meiiil >  prominent  an. 1  distinj^nisliod  lu 
tU«  M«>xi>  an  war,  would  u\ak«  au  iutenMtiutS  eliapter,  if  it  lonUl  bo  written  out, 
ol  eacly  froutiei  times. 


niSTORT  OF  wiscoifsm. 


179 


buildings  and  improvements  in  the  country  were  then  few,  and 
circumscribed  within  a  narrow  compass,  and,  in  a  great  degree, 
partook  of  the  unpretending  and  simple  character  of  their  occu- 
pants." 

At  the  time  Wisconsin  became  a  part  of  Michigan  Territory, 
in  1818,  Gen.  Lewis  Cass  was  its  governor,  and  continued  to 
hold  that  office  \intil  1832;  but  though  a  part  of  Michigan, 
which  had  been  fully  organized  as  a  Territory,  with  its  laws  and 
courts,  and  officers  to  administer  and  execute  them,  still  the 
rule  that  bore  sway  was  substantially  military  until  1824,  when 
civil  authority  became  fairly  established  in  this  part  of  the 
North-west.  While  this  state  of  affairs  continued,  offenders 
against  the  laws  Avere  sent  from  these  remote  settlements  to 
Detroit  for  trial,  or,  perhaps,  more  usually  escaped  prosecution. 

The  military  code,  such  as  it  was,  more  than  supplied  the 
deficiencies  of  the  civil ;  and  it  not  uiifrequently  happened  that 
military  commandants  woidd  so  arbitrarily  exercise  the  powers 
which  they  practically  possessed,  as  to  produce  great  injustice 
and  oppression,  and  render  the  condition  of  the  citizen  ex- 
tremely uncomfortable. 

The  proceedings  of  these  military  tribunals  were  speedy, 
short,  and  decisive  ;  and  their  decisions  were  rigorously  exe- 
cuted. The  delincjuent  debtor  or  unfortunate  culprit  had  little 
to  hope  from  "  the  law's  delay  ;  "  and,  while  the  proceedings 
of  these  tribunals  were  summary  and  exccedingl}'  arbitrary  in 
their  character,  it  is  probable,  that,  in  many  instances,  the  ends 
of  justice  were  substantially  attained. 

Col.  Ebenezer  Childs,  in  his  "  UeooUections  of  Wisconsin," 
published  in  vol.  iv.  of  the  "Collections  of  the  State  Historical 
Society  of  Wisconsin,"  gives  many  instances  of  tlio  tyranny  of 
the  military  oflicers  at  Fort  Howard  over  all  civilians.  Judge 
J.  V.  Arndt  was  rcfiised  the  piivilc^t'*  *''  maintaining  a  ferry 
across  Fox  River,  for  wlilcli  ho  had  obtaii\»'(l  a  license  from  the 
proper  authorities,  aiiit,  on  his  crossing  the  river,  was  arrested, 
and  carried  by  numbers  of  the  troops  to  the  fort.  Judge 
Arnilt  subseciuently  commenced  suii;  against  the  commanding 
officer  for  false  imprisonment ;  and  the  latter  was  fined  fifty 
dollars  and  costs ;  and  the  court  decided  that  Fox  Iliver  was 
a  public    highway,   aiul  any  properly-licensed  persons   could 


180 


IIISTORr  OF  WISCONStN. 


maintain  a  ferry,  and  the  military  liad  no  right  to  interfere. 
Numoroiis  cases  of  tlie  military  tyranny  of  Major,  afterwards 
IMajor-Gen.  Twiggs  arc  reported. 

Altliongh  the  country  was  principally  sid)ject  to  military  rule 
for  eight  years  prior  to  1824,  it  was  not  entirely  so,  as  there 
was  a  species  of  civil  authority  occasionally  exercised  in  a  few 
places  hy  justices  of  the  peace,  and  judges  of  the  county 
courts  of  JJrown  and  Crawford  Counties ;  but  they  seem  to 
have  enjoyed,  for  the  most  part,  only  a  divided  authority  with 
the  military  commandants.  Among  these  early  judicial  func- 
tionaries was  the  notable  Charles  Keaume,  concerning  whose 
proceedings  many  amusing  anecdotes  are  recorded  in  the  Col- 
lections of  the  State  Historical  Societj-,  and  in  Mrs.  Kenzie'a 
"  Waubun;"  but  it  is  a  matter  of  doid)t  as  to  the  source  whence 
he  derived  his  appointment,  if,  indeed,  he  ever  had  any.  It  is 
said  by  some,  that  he  was  appointed  l)y  Gen.  Harrison,  then 
the  governor  of  Indiana  Territory,  in  1802  or  1803,  while  Wis- 
consin was  included  within  its  limits.  That  he  was  dc  facto 
judge  or  justice,  liistory  abundantly  testifies,  as  well  as  that  his 
authority  was  tacitly  acquiesced  in  by  all. 

Until  1823.  all  that  part  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan  now 
forming  the  State  of  Wisconsin  Iiad  no  separate  courts,  except 
county  courts  of  very  limited  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction, 
and  justice's  courts.  All  important  civil  cases,  and  all  criminal 
cases,  except  for  pietty  offences,  were  tried  by  the  Supreme 
Court  at  Detroit.  Suitors  and  witnesses  were  consequently 
compelled  to  travel,  at  a  great  expense,  a  distance  of  from  four 
hundred  to  eight  hundred  miles  to  attend  court.  The  only 
mode  of  conveyance  in  those  diiys  Avas  by  sail-vessels  during 
about  six  or  seven  months  in  the  year :  the  remainder  of  the 
year  there  were  no  moans  of  travel  either  by  land  or  water. 

In  January,  1823,  an  act  of  Congress  provided  for  the 
appointment  of  an  additional  judge  for  the  counties  of  Brown, 
Crawford,  and  Michilimatkinac.  That  court  had  concurrent 
civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction  Avith  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
Territory,  sid)ject,  however,  to  have  its  decisions  taken  to  the 
Supremo  Court  by  a  Avrit  of  error.  The  law  provided  for  hold- 
one  term  of  court  in  each  year  in  each  of  the  counties  named 
in  the  act.     The  late  lion.  James  Duane  Doty,  was  appointed 


182 


niSTOIiT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


judge  of  this  court  at  its  organization,  and  licld  the  office  until 
May,  1832,  wlicn  lie  was  succeeded  hy  Hon.  David  Irvin.  This 
court  continued  until  183G,  when  it  was  abrogated  by  the 
organization  of  tlie  Territory  of  Wisconsin. 

On  the  IGth  of  October,  1818,  all  the  country  now  included 
in  and  constituting  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  being  then  a 
part  of  Michigan  Territory,  was  divided  into  two  counties, 
Brown  and  Crawford,  by ,  an  act  of  legislative  council  of 
that  Territory.  Brown  County  included  all  the  territory  east 
of  a  lino  drawn  due  north  from  the  northern  boundary  of  Illi- 
nois, through  the  middle  of  the  portage,  between  the  Fox  and 
Wisconsin  Rivers.  Crav/ford  County  embraced  the  territory 
between  the  Mississippi  lliver  and  the  western  boundary  of 
Brown  County.  .And  on  the  9th  of  October,  1829,  by  act  of 
the  Legislative  Assembly  of  ^lichigan,  loAva  Avas  formed  from 
that  portion  of  Crawford  County  lying  south  of  the  Wiscon- 
sin lliver ;  and  on  the  Gth  of  September,  1834,  the  Avestern 
boundary  of  Iowa  County  was  changed  to  the  line  between 
the  Green  Bay  and  Wisconsin  land  districts,  which  was  a 
north  and  south  line  from  the  northern  boundary  of  Illinois 
on  the  range  line  between  ranges  eight  and  nine. 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  notice,  that  within  the  boundary 
of  Crawford  County,  as  originally  constituted,  is  included  what 
is  called  the  "  Carver  Grant,"  which  has  excited  considerable 
attention,  and  to  which,  probably,  thousands  had  acquired  titles 
within  the  last  fifty  years.  The  pretended  grant  was  from  the 
Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  running  along  the  east  bank  of  the 
Mississippi,  nearly  south-east,  as  far  as  the  mouth  of  Lake  Pepin, 
where  the  Chippewa  River  joins  the  ^lississipjii,  and  from 
thence  eastward  five  days'  travel,  counting  twenty  English 
miles  per  day,  and  from  thence  north  six  days'  travel,  and  from 
thence  back  again  to  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony  on  a  direct 
straight  line.  Within  these  boundaries  would  be  at  least  six 
millions  of  acres,  or  about  ten  thousand  square  miles.  This 
grant  is  said  to  have  been  made  to  Capt.  Carver  on  the  first 
day  of  May,  17G7,  for  and  in  consideration  of  his  services  to 
the  Nan-do-wissies,  the  Dakota  or  Sioux,  by  Ilaw-no-paw-jar 
tin  (the  Turtle),  and  O-toh-ton-goom-lish-can  (the  Snake),  two 
chiefs  of  that  tribe  or  nation. 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


188 


1834. 


Without  going  into  full  particulars  of  the  history  of  this 
claim,  it  is  only  necessary  to  say,  that  every  effort  was  made  by 
the  heirs  of  Capt.  Carver  to  obtain  a  confirmation  of  this  grant 
from  the  government  of  Great  Britain,  and  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States ;  but  neither  government  would  acknowledge  it. 
A  liistory  of  this  claim,  the  evidences  upon  which  it  is  based, 
and  the  reasons  for  disallowing  it,  may  bo  found  in  an  article 
by  D.  S.  Durrie,  published  in  vol.vi.  of  the  "Collections  of  the 
State  Historical  Society  of  Wisconsin." 

On  the  Gth  of  September,  1834,  Milwaukee  County  was 
established,  and  set  off  from  Brown  County,  and  fully 
organized,  including  within  its  limits  all  the  territory 
bounded  by  the  south  and  east  lines  of  the  present  State,  north 
to  the  north  line  of  townships  numbered  twelve,  and  west  to 
the  range  line  between  ranges  eight  and  nine. 

The  terms  of  the  District  Court  for  the  counties  of  IMichili- 
makinac,  Brown,  and  Crawford,  which  was  established  by  the 
Act  of  1823,  were  held  once  in  each  year  in  each  of  those 
counties. 

Although  Judge  Doty  had  received  his  appointment  in  1823, 
yet  he  did  not  arrive  in  the  district  until  midsummer  ;  and  no 
regular  term  of  court  was  held  that  year.  In  October,  1824, 
ho  appointed  and  held  a  special  term,  for  the  trial  of  criminal 
cases  at  Green  Bay.  At  this  term  the  first  grand  jury  was 
empannelled  in  Bro^vn  Country ;  and  Hon.  Henry  S.  Baird,  who 
was  the  pioneer  lawyer  of  Wisconsin  was  appointed  district 
attorney.  A  large  amount  of  criminal  business  was  brought 
before  the  Grand  Jury.  Forty-five  indictments  were  found  and 
presented  to  the  court,  —  one  for  murder,  on  which  there  was  a 
conviction ;  some  for  assault  and  battery,  larceny,  selling  spiritu- 
ous liquors  to  the  Indians,  and  last,  hvX  'mt  least,  twenty-eight 
cases  for  illicit  cohabitation.  The  large  nun^ber  of  the  latter 
class  arose  from  the  practice,  adopted  i  v  the  viaders  and  French 
inhabitants,  of  taking  Indian  women  a;^<  v.-iv"°  according  to  the 
custom  of  the  natives.  Those  cases  weic  generally  disposed 
of  in  this  manner :  The  defendants  were  brought  into  court 
on  a  warrant :  most  of  them  pleaded  guilty,  Avhen  the  Court 
suspended  sentence  until  the  close  of  the  term,  with  the  intima- 
tion that  all  who  presented  the  Court,  in  the  interim,  certificates 


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184 


niSTOliY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


of  legal  marriage,  ■would  be  let  off  by  paying  a  nominal  fine  ; 
which  fine  was  afterwards  fixed  at  one  dollar  and  the  costs  of 
prosecution.  Some  of  tlie  delinquents  refused  to  marry,  and 
were  fined  fifty  dollars  and  costs,  with  the  further  intimation, 
that  should  they  continue  to  live  in  the  same  condition,  and  be 
again  indicted,  they  would  be  subjected  to  the  highest  penalty 
of  the  law,  —  fine  and  imprisonment.  One  case  excited  consid- 
erable amusement  in  court.  A  party  who  had  been  indicted  at 
the  first  term,  and  refused  to  marry,  and  paid  a  fine  of  fifty 
dollars,  not  having  the  fear  of  the  statute  in  such  cases  made 
and  provided  before  his  eyes,  and  disregarding  the  friendly 
admonition  of  the  Court,  continuing  to  live  in  the  same 
primitive  style  of  connubial  felicity,  was  again  indicted  at  a 
subsequent  term.  Before  the  grand  jury  had  returned  the 
indictment  into  court,  the  delinquent  was  informed  of  the  find- 
ing of  the  bill,  and  advised  to  marry  before  the  opening  of  the 
court  on  the  next  morning,  otherwise  he  would  be  severely 
dealt  with.  On  reflection,  he  thought  it  prudent  to  take  his 
friend's  advice.  Accordingly,  early  in  the  morning,  lie  culled 
in  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  had  the  ceremony  duly  performed. 
At  the  opening  of  the  court,  he  appeared,  and  presented  the 
marriage-certificate ;  and,  as  he  retired,  ho  audibly  exclaimed, 
"  There,  I  suppose  you  are  satisfied,  as  I  have  married  the 
squaw."  This  being  satisfactorj-,  he  was  permitted  to  "  go 
without  day." 

James  W.  Biddle  of  Pittsburg,  Penn.,  in  liis  "  Recollections 
of  Green  Bay,  181G  "  (Collections  State  Historical  Society,  vol. 
i.),  saj's  of  the  settlers  then  residing  there, — 


"They  were  mainly  old  enrjages,  Canadian  boatmen,  who  had  with- 
drawn from  the  employment  o*'  the  fur  companies,  and  fixed  themselves 
down  on  a  piece  of  land  fronting  on  the  river,  and  married  to  whole  or  half 
breed  Indian  women.  The  custom  prevailin;;  here  was  somewhat  uni(iue  of 
its  kind  as  a  leading  feature  of  the  ccnmiunity,  though  something  of  the 
kind  still  exists  at  New  Orleans  among  a  distinct  class.  The  young  people 
then  were  generally  a  cross  between  the  French  Canadian  and  Indian ;  and 
marriage  between  girls  of  this  class  and  the  white  men  arriving  was  of  a 
conventional  or  business  kind,  to  suit  the  convenience  of  the  case;  th(!  resi- 
dence of  the  men  not  being  permaiient,  or  intending  to  be  so.  Marriage, 
therefore,  was  limited  as  to  time,  and  was  contracted  —  cither  for  life,  or  for 
.six  or  twelve  months,  as  the  cose  might  be  —  with  the  white  men  arriving. 


nrSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


185 


It  was  generally  of  the  latter  kind.  The  lover,  having  made  choice  of  a 
companion  applied  to  her  parents,  with  whom  he  entered  into  a  limited 
marriage-contract,  specifying  the  amount  to  be  paid  them  for  deprivation 
of  her  services,  the  amount  to  be  paid  her  in  hand  for  her  own  benefit,  and 
the  amount  per  week  for  her  boarding  and  rent  of  a  room  in  the  house,  if  to 
remain  in  the  dwelling  of  her  parents.  These  payments  generally  were 
made  in  provisions,  clothing,  &c.  In  case  the  lover  or  husband  removed 
from  the  place  before  the  expiration  of  the  time  agreed  on,  he  had  the 
right  —  as  in  the  case  of  the  engagoo  — to  transfer  his  marital  claims  thus 
acquired  to  another;  so  that,  during  the  term  of  the  stipulated  coverture, 
the  girl  might  find  herself  the  wife  of  two  or  more  husbands.  The  con- 
tracts entered  into  in  this  manner  were  regarded  by  them  as  sacred ;  and  no 
evidences  were  adduced  or  known  of  infidelity  on  the  part  of  the  ivomen, 
and  were  consequently  highly  resented  if  occurring  on  the  part  of  the 
spouse." 

Hon.  M.  L.  Martin,  in  his  address  bef<ire  the  State  Historical 
Society,  Jan.  21,  1851,  says  of  the  people  of  Green  Bay  in 
1824,— 

"  The  laws  of  Michigan  were  introduced,  and  among  them  the  marriage 
act,  of  which  they  had  no  knowledge.  The  first  exercise  of  judicial  authori- 
ty was  to  enforce  that  enactment.  Not  a  marriage  had  been  celebrated  ac- 
co.ding  to  the  requirements  of  that  law  or  any  other,  except  the  customs  in 
force  in  the  country ;  and  thereupon  the  w  hole  community  was  declared 
amenable  to  the  penalties  of  the  statute.  Jlen  of  venerable  age,  who  were 
themselves  the  fruit  of  these  connections,  now,  for  the  first  time,  were  de- 
clared incestuous,  and  whose  children  and  grandchildren  had  sprung  up 
vnder  their  care  and  protection,  and  whose  conduct  and  social  relations 
were  every  way  reputable  in  the  highest  degree,  were  brought  before  this 
new  tribunal,  and  sentenced  to  the  penalties  the  law  inflicted." 


The  first  term  of  the  court  held  by  Judge  Doty  continued 
'  for  two  weeks,  during  which  nearly  all  of  the  business  was  dis- 
posed of. 

In  those  early  days,  th(^  accommodations  for  holding  the  court 
were  neither  extensive  nor  elegant.  There  were  no  regular 
court-houses  or  public  buildings ;  and  the  courts  were  held  in 
log  schoolhouses,  where  there  were  such,  or  in  rooms  provided 
for  the  special  occasion,  destitute  of  comfortable  seats  and  other 
fixtures  for  the  convenience  of  the  court,  bar,  and  jurors.  In 
lila}',  1826,  when  the  term  of  the  court  was  to  be  held  at  Prai- 
rie du  Chien,  on  the  arrival  o*"  the  judge  and  attorncj's  from 
Green  Bay  (which  trip  was  made  in  a  bhch  or  bark  canoe,  by 


186 


nisTORY  OF  mscoNsm. 


the  way  of  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  Rivers),  they  found  the  old 
town  entirely  under  tvater  ;  the  inundation  being  oaused  by  the 
overflowing  of  both  the  Mississippi  and  Wisconsin  rivers.  The 
troojjs  of  the  fort  had  abandoned  the  same,  and  the  inhabit- 
ants had  fled  to  the  high  grounds  near  the  bluffs:  but  two 
or  three  houses  were  occupied,  and  only  the  upper  stories  in 
those. 

After  the  organization  of  Iowa  County  in  1830,  the  county 
of  Crawford  was  attached  to  Iowa  County  for  judicial  purposes, 
and  remained  so  until  Wisconsin  Territory  was  organized  in 
1836.  In  the  spring  of  1835,  the  legislative  council  of  Michi- 
gan passed  an  act  authorizing  the  people  of  the  peninsula  to 
form  a  constitution  and  State  government  for  Michigan.  By 
this  act,  all  that  part  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan  lying  west  of 
Lake  Michigan  was  left  without  organization,  though  measures 
were  being  taken  in  Congress  for  the  organization  of  Wisconsin 
Territory.  In  the  inter-regnum,  John  S.  Horner,  secretary  of 
Michigan  Territory,  as  acting  governor,  issued  a  proclamation 
on  the  9th  of  November,  1835,  convening  the  legislative  coun- 
cil of  Michigan  (comprising  tlic  excluded  Territory  referred  to) 
at  Green  Bay,  Jan.  1,  183G.  The  following  were  the  members: 
First  district,  John  Lowe,  George  11.  Walker,  Gilbert  Ivnapp, 
William  B.  Slaughter,  and  B.  IL  Edgerton;  second  district, 
William  S.  Hamilton  and  James  II.  Vineyard ;  third  district,  T. 
P.  Burnett;  fourth  district,  Allen  Ilill  and  J.  Parker;  fifth 
district,  J.  B.  Teas  and  Jeremiah  Smith.  Col.  William  S. 
Hamilton  was  elected  president ;  A.  G.  Ellis,  secretary ;  Levi 
Sterling,  sergeant-at-arms ;  and  W.  B.  Long,  recording  secre- 
tary. 

Air.  Burnett,  from  a  committee  appointed  to  notify  the  gov- 
ernor that  the  council  was  organized,  and  prepared  to  receive 
any  communication  he  had  to  make,  reported  that  Gov.  Hor- 
ner was  absent,  probably  at  Detroit,  and  that  the  committee 
iiad  no  definite  knowledge  on  the  subject  of  his  return.  A 
memorial  to  Congress  on  the  organization  of  Wisconsin  Terri- 
tory was  presented  by  Col.  W.  B.  Slaughter,  from  a  commit- 
tee appointed  to  draw  up  the  same,  which  memorial  was 
adopted ;  also  a  memorial  on  the  subject  of  Indian  titles  on  the 
Lower  Iowa  River. 


188 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


Owing  to  tlie  absence  of  the  governor,  who  did  not  come  near 
the  council,  nor  send  any  written  conmu' nication,  no  hxws  were 
passed.  An  appropriation  of  nineteen  hundi-ed  dollars  was 
made  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  session. 

The  legislative  council  adjourned  March  5, 1836. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE  TEnnrroKiAL  governjient. 

WUtconsln  Territory  — Its  Original  Boundaries— Civil  RiKlita,  &c.  — Elections  — 
Early  I^nislalioii  —  Gov.  DoiIko  — Ranks  —  Tlie  Capital  —  Speeulutiun  —  Modi- 
son  — Tlio  FIglit  over  the  Location  of  the  Seat  of  Government. 


1836. 


The  act  of  Congress  "  establishing  the  Territorial  Govern- 
ment of  Wisconsin  "  was  approved  April  20, 1836.  It  provided 
that  all  the  country  included  within  certain  prescribed  bounda- 
ries, including  all  the  territory  now  embraced  in  the 
States  of  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  and  Minnesota,  and  a  part 
of  the  Territory  c "  Dakota,  should  form,  and  after  the  third 
day  of  July,  183G,  constitute,  a  separate  Territory,  for  the  pur- 
poses of  tlie  temporary  government  of  Wisconsin;  at  which 
time  all  the  power  and  authority  of  the  government  of  Michigan 
in  and  over  tiie  said  Territory  ceased. 

The  executive  power  over  the  Territory  was  vested  in  a  gov- 
ernor, Avho  was  also  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs,  and  whose 
approval  of  all  laws  was  necessary  before  they  sliould  take 
effect. 

The  act  provided  for  a  secretary,  whose  duty  it  was  to  record 
and  preserve  the  laws  and  proceedings  of  the  legislative  as- 
sembl)'^,  and  the  acts  and  proceedings  of  the  governor,  and  who 
was  to  execute  and  perform  the  powers  and  duties  of  governor, 
in  certain  contingencies  mentioned  in  the  act. 

The  legislative  power  was  vested  in  the  governor  and  a  legis- 
lative assembly,  consisting  of  a  council  of  thirteen  members, 
elected  every  four  years ;  and  a  house  of  representatives  of 
twenty-six  members,  elected  every  two  years.  And  it  was  pro- 
vided by  the  organic  act  that  the  governor  should  appoint  the 
time  and  place  of  the  first  meeting  of  tlie  legislative  assembly ; 

18S 


190 


niSTonr  of  wisconsix. 


that  he  should  cause  a  census  of  the  inhabitants  to  be  made 
previous  to  the  first  election,  and  should  make  un  apportionment 
among  the  several  counties,  for  the  election  of  members  of  the 
council  and  house  of  representatives. 

The  act  further  provided  "  that  every  white  male  citizen  of 
the  United  States,  above  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  who  shall 
have  been  an  inhabitant  of  the  Territory  at  the  time  of  its 
organization,  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  at  the  first  election,  and 
should  be  eligible  to  any  office  within  the  said  Territory." 

The  organic  act  further  directed,  that  the  judicial  power  of 
the  Territory  be  vested  in  a  supreme  court,  district  courts, 
probate  courts,  and  in  justices  of  the  peace.  The  supreme 
court  to  consist  of  a  chief  justice  and  two  associate  justices ; 
any  two  of  whom  to  constitute  a  quorum,  and  to  hold  a  term  at 
the  seat  of  government  of  the  Territory  annually.  The  clerks 
of  all  the  courts  were  appointed  by  the  judges  thereof.  The 
act  also  provided  for  the  appointment  of  an  attorney  and 
marshal.  The  governor,  secretary,  chief  jus+ice,  associate 
judges,  attorney  and  marshal,  it  was  provided,  should  be 
appointed  by  the  governor  and  council,  or  elected  by  the 
people.  Such  is  a  brief  synopsis  of  the  principal  provisions  of 
the  act  organizing  the  government  of  the  Territory. 

The  first  appointments  made  by  the  President  oud  Senate,  of 
the  several  offices,  were  :  — 

April  13,     183G,  Governor,  Gen.  Henry  Dodge. 

May  0,         183G,  Secretary,  John  S.  Homer. 

August,       1830,  Chief  Jiutice,         Charles  Dunn. 

September,  183G,  Associate  Justices,  Duvid  7rvin  and  William  C.  Frazer. 

1830,  Attorney,  W.  W.  Chapman. 

183G,  Marshal,  Francis  Gehon. 

The  machinery  of  a  complete  temporary  government,  and 
the  instruments  for  its  proper  working,  were  thus  provided; 
and  it  only  remained  to  set  the  machine  in  motion.  And  on  the 
fourth  day  of  July,  1836,  the  governor,  secretary,  and  judges 
took  the  prescribed  oath  of  office  at  Mineral  Point,  which 
event  contributed  a  novel  and  interesting  element  to  a  grand 
celebration  of  the  national  jubilee,  which  wvs  very  generally 
participated  in  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  lead-mine  region,  of 
which  that  hamlet  was  the  then  recognized  metropolis. 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN.  191 

The  first  important  thing  to  bo  done  to  complete  the  forma- 
tion of  the  embryo  government  was  the  organization  ol  the 
legislative  assembly,  preliminary  to  which  a  census  was  to  be 
taken  by  the  sheriffs,  and  an  apportionment  of  members  of  the 
two  branches  made  by  the  governor,  among  the  several  counties. 

That  portion  of  the  Territory  which  comprises  the  present 
State  consisted  of  four  counties,  —  Brown,  Crawford,  Iowa,  and 
Milwaukee.  Brown  County  embraced  all  the  lorruory  east  of 
the  Wisconsin  River  and  range  eight,  and  south  as  far  as,  and 
including,  town  Twelve  and  the  State  of  Illinois,  extending 
west  to,  and  including,  range  Nino.  Iowa  County  was  bounded 
north  by  the  Wisconsin  River,  cast  by  the  lino  between  ranges 
Eight  and  Nine,  south  by  Illinois,  and  west  by  the  Mississippi 
River ;  and  Crawford  County  embraced  all  the  remainder  of  the 
Territory  east  of  the  Mississippi.  The  census,  which  had 
been  taken  agreeably  to  law,  exhibited  the  following  figures : 
Brown  County,  2,700 ;  Crawford  County,  850 ;  Iowa  County, 
5,2C4 ;  and  Milwaukee,  2,893.     Total,  11,083. 

The  apportionment  made  by  the  governor  gave  to  the  differ- 
ent counties  representation  as  follows :  — 

Uembcn  of  noii* e  of 

Council.         neprwcntitlrM. 
Brown 2  8 

Crawford 0  2 

Milwaukee 2  8 

Iowa 3  6 

Dubuque 3  S 

Dcs  Moiucs 3  7 

13  20 


Tlie  time  fixed  by  the  governor  for  the  election  was  the  10th 
of  October,  1830.  The  election  excited  a  very  considerable 
interest,  growing,  chiefly,  out  of  local  considerations.  The 
permanent  location  of  the  "  seat  of  government,"  the  division 
of  counties,  and  the  location  of  county  seats,  were  the  ques- 
tions tliat  chiefly  influenced  the  elections ;  while  the  views  of 
candidates  in  relation  to  national  politics  had  little  or  uo  influ- 
ence upon  the  results. 

Mr.  John  Atchinson,  an  enterprising  citizen  of  Galena 
during  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1880,  having  laid  out  a 


192 


n  I  STOUT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


town  plat  between  the  two  Platte  IMounds,  to  which  he  gave 
the  name  of  Ik-lmout,  erected  there  several  buildings  designed 
for  the  iicconimodation  of  the  legislative  assembly ;  and  the 
governor,  by  his  proclamation,  appointed  that  place,  and  tho 
25th  of  October  as  tho  time,  for  tho  meeting  of  the  first  session 
of  the  assembly. 

A  quorum  of  each  house  was  in  attendance  at  the  time  fixed 
for  the  meeting ;  and  the  two  houses  were  speedily  organized  by 
the  election  of  Hon.  Henry  S.  Baird  of  Green  Day,  president 
of  tho  council ;  and  Peter  Hill  Engle  of  Dul)uque,  speaker  of 
the  house  of  representatives.  Each  of  the  three  branches  of 
the  infant  government  was  now  in  working  order,  except  that 
it  remained  for  the  legislative  assembly  to  divide  tho  Territory 
into  judicial  districts,  and  make  an  assignment  of  the  judges. 
This  was  speedily  done.  Crawford  and  Iowa  constituted  tho 
first  district,  to  which  the  chief  justice  was  ivssigned  ;  Dubuque 
and  Dcs  ^loines  the  second,  to  which  Judge  Irvin  was  assigned ; 
and  Judge  Frazcr  to  the  third,  consisting  of  Milwaukee  and 
Brown  Counties. 

Gov.  Dodge,  in  his  first  message,  directed  attention  to 
defining  the  jurisdiction  and  powers  of  the  several  courts, 
and  of  matters  connected  with  their  administration ;  recom- 
mended memorializing  Congress  on  extending  the  right  of  pre- 
emption to  actual  settlers,  and  to  rainerj  on  the  mineral  lands, 
the  removal  of  the  obstructions  in  the  rajiids  of  the  Upper 
Mississippi,  the  construction  of  harbors  and  light-houses  on 
Lake  Michigan,  the  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  the  Fox 
River,  and  a  survey  of  tho  same  from  Green  Bay  to  Fort 
Winnebago,  the  improvement  of  the  llock  River,  the  increase 
of  lands  to  the  Territory  for  school-purposes,  and  for  organi- 
zing and  arming  the  militia  for  the  protection  of  the  frontier 
settlements. 

The  first  act  passed  by  the  legislative  assembly  was  one 
which  privileged  the  members  from  arrest,  and  conferred  on 
themselves  power  to  puniih  for  contempt.  The  next  one,  with 
tho  exception  of  that  already  referred  to,  establishing  judicial 
districts,  was  "to  borrow  money  to  dcfi'ay  the  expenses  of 
the  first  assembly. 

Three    banks  were    incorporated,  —  the    Miner's    Banlc  of 


194 


BIBTORY  Of  WISCONSIN. 


DubiKiue,  the  Bank  of  ^linerul  Point,  and  the  Bank  of  Mil- 
waukee, all  of  which  were  organizetl  and  weut  into  operation, 
and  ail  fiu'jd,  and  became  utterly  bankrupt;  and  one  of  them, 
the  Bank  of  Mineral  Point,  with  a  loss  to  the  comnumity  of 
over  two  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

The  protection  of  tlie  lands  donated  to  Wisconsin  by  the 
United  States  Government  for  school-purposes,  and  the  crea- 
tion of  a  common  school  fund,  first  called  the  attention  of  our 
public  men  to  the  cause  of  education.  The  first  resolution  on 
school-matters  ever  introduced  into  the  legislative  assembly, 
was  at  -is  session,  and  referred  to  the  report  of  a  bill,  to 
"  Prohibit  perscms  fron*  trespassing  on  the  school-lands  in  the 
Territory,  by  cutting  and  destroying  timber."  A  memorial  to 
Congress  was  adopted,  requesting  that  body  to  authorize  the 
sale  of  the  school-section  in  each  township,  and  to  a{)[)ropriate 
the  money  arising,  towards  creating  a  fund  for  the  su])port  of 
common  schools. 

All  the  territory  south  and  east  of  the  Wisconsin  and  Fox 
Rivers  was  subdivided  into  counties  as  they  now  exist,  except 
that  Ozaukee,  Waukesha,  Kenosha,  and  Lafayette  have  been 
formed  out  of  Washington,  Jlilwaukee,  Kacine,  and  Iowa.  In 
most  of  the  counties,  the  county-seats  were  located  at  the  same 
session.  These  questions,  however,  did  not  create  much  dis- 
cussion, as  the  questions,  where  any  existed,  had  been  mainly 
decided  at  the  elections ;  and  the  members  had  only  to  give 
effect  to  the  expressed  will  of  those  citizens  by  whom  they  had 
been  elected. 

The  great  and  paramount  question  of  the  session  was  the 
location  of  the  seat  of  government.  To  this,  all  others  were 
subordinate  and  made  subservient.  The  wild  spirit  of  specula- 
tion,—  which,  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  year  1836,  had,  like  a 
tornado,  swept  over  the  whole  country,  and  which,  having 
invaded  and  unsettled  the  prices  of  every  species  of  jjci-sonal 
property,  seized  upon  the  unsold  public  domain,  which  was 
transferred  by  millions  of  acres  from  the  control  of  the  gov- 
ernment and  the  occupation  of  the  settler,  to  the  dominion  of 
the  speculator,  —  although  on  the  wane  in  the  last  mon  hs  of 
that  year,  was  still  omnipotent,  and  exerted  a  marked  influence 
upon  many  of  the  members  of  the  Belmont  legislature. 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


195 


Numerous  speculators  were  in  attendance,  with  beautiful 
maps  of  prospective  cities,  whose  future  greatness  was  por- 
trayed with  all  the  fervor  and  eloquence  which  the  excited 
imaginations  of  their  proprietors  could  display.  Madison,  Bel- 
mont, Fond  du  Lac,  and  Cassville  were  the  points  which  were 
most  prominently  urged  upon  the  consideration  of  the  members. 
Hon.  James  Duane  Doty,  afterwards  a  dek^tite  in  Congress, 
and  governor  of  the  Territory,  and  more  recently  governor  of 
Utah  (where  he  died)  had  resided  for  m  .ny  years  at  Green 
Bay,  as  additional  judge  of  Michigan  lerritorj.  His  frequent 
journeys  in  the  discharge  of  his  judicial  duties,  in  tho  different 
parts  of  the  Territory,  had  rendered  him  familiar  with  its  geog- 
raphy and  topography,  and  had  given  him  superior  advantages 
for  judging  of  the  eligibilities  of  different  pcnnts  as  sites  for  the 
capital  of  the  Territory  and  future  State.  Judge  Doty  fixed 
upon  the  isthmus  between  the  third  and  fourth  of  the  Four 
Lakes,  and  in  connection  with  Stevens  T.  Mason,  the  governor 
of  Michigan  Territory,  purchased  from  the  government  about 
one  thousand  acres  of  land,  in  Sects.  13. 14, 23,  and  24,  upon  the 
common  corner  of  which  tho  capital  now  stands.  Upon  this 
tract  of  land,  a  town  plat  was  laid  out,  called  Madison,  and, 
under  the  allspices  of  its  founder,  became  a  formidable  competi- 
tor for  the  honors  and  advantages  of  being  selected  as  the  seat 
of  government.  Madison  town-lots  in  large  numbers  were 
freely  distributed  among  members,  their  friends,  and  others 
who  were  supposed  to  possess  influence  with  them. 

Nearly  four  weeks  were  spent  in  skirmishing  outside  the  legis- 
lative halls,  when,  on  the  21st  of  November,  the  battle  was 
formally  opened  in  the  council,  and  the  bill  considered  in  com- 
mittee of  the  whole  until  the  23d,  when  it  was  reported  back 
in  the  form  in  which  it  became  a  law,  fixing  on  Madison  as  the 
seat  of  government,  and  providing  that  the  sessions  of  the 
legislative  assembly  should  be  held  at  Burlington,  in  Des 
Moines  County,  until  March  4, 1839,  unless  the  public  build- 
ings at  Madison  should  be  sooner  completed. 

When  the  bill  was  reported  back  by  the  committee  of  the 
whole,  and  was  imder  consideration  in  the  coimcil,  where  the 
ayes  and  nays  could  be  called,  a  spirited  attack  was  made 
upon  it;  and  motions  to  strike  out  Madison,  and  insert  some 


196 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


other  place,  were  successively  made  in  favor  of  Pond  du  Lac, 
Dubuque,  Portage,  Helena,  Milwaukee,  Racine,  Belmont,  Min- 
eral Point,  Platteville,  Green  Bay,  Cassville,  Belleview,  Koshko- 
nong,  Wisconsinapolis,  Peru,  and  Wisconsin  City,  but  all  with 
one  uniform  result, —  ayes,  six ;  naycs,  seven,  —  .and  the  bill  was, 
by  the  same  vote,  ordered  engrossed,  and  next  day  passed  the 
council.  In  the  house  of  representatives,  the  opposition  was 
not  so  formidable ;  and  on  the  28th,  the  bill  was  ordered  to  a 
third  reading  by  a  vote  of  sixteen  to  ten,  and  passed,  the  same 
day,  fifteen  to  eleven,  thus  ending  one  of  the  most  exciting 
struggles  ever  witnessed  in  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin. 

It  was  quite  evident  that  the  Des  Moines  County  delegations 
in  both  liouses  favored  the  location  at  some  central  and  con- 
venient point  between  the  Mississippi  and  Lake  Michigan, 
anticipating  the  early  division  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin, 
and  the  organization  of  the  Territory  of  Iowa,  when  they  appar- 
ently hoped  to  secure  tlie  location  of  the  capital  in  their  por- 
tion of  Iowa  Territory,  which  they  eventually  accomplished. 
Aside  from  any  do-nceur  consideration,  this  alone  v/as  a  suf- 
ficient inducement  for  the  solid  vote  of  that  delegation  for 
Madison  as  the  seat  of  government. 

This  question  having  been  disposed  of,  but  little  remained 
which  was  thought  expedient  to  act  upon  at  that  session.  A 
proposition  f(.)r  a  commission  to  codify  the  laws  was  made ;  but, 
as  the  opinion  was  prevalent  that  the  Territory  would  soon  be 
divided,  it,  and  others  of  a  similar  character,  met  with  but  little 
favor. 

The  ^irst  legislative  assembly  having  enacted  that  the  annual 
sessions  should  thereafter  be  held  on  the  first  Monday  of 
November,  adjourned,  sine  die,  on  the  ninth  day  of  December, 
183G,  having  been  in  session  forty  days,  and  passed  forty-two 
laws,  about  one-half  of  which  were  of  a  private  nature. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE  TEERITORIAL  GOVEENMENT. 

Buililing-CommiHsioners  —  Tlieir  Journey  from  Milwaukee  to  the  Site  of  Madison 
—  Condition  of  tlio  Territory  —  Tlie  Routes  and  Modes  of  Travel  —  Early 
Lantl  Sales  —  Tl>e  Squatters  and  their  Exponents  —  Second  Session  of  the 
Territorial  Lepslature  —  The  'Wisconsin  University — Educational  —  Early 
Schools  — The  Milwaukee  and  Rock  River  Canal  Company— Special  Session 
of  the  Legislature. 


By  Sect.  3  of  the  act  locating  the  seat  of  government  at 
Madison,  it  waa  enacted  "  That  there  nhall  be  three  commis- 
sioners, elected  by  joint  oallot  of  the  council  and  house  of 
representatives,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  cause  the  necessary 
public  buildings  to  be  erected  at  the  said  town  of  Madison  for 
the  accommodation  of  the  assembly,  and  other  oflBcers  of  the 
Territorial  Government.  The  said  commissioners,  or  a  majority 
of  them,  shall  agree  upon  a  plan  of  said  buildings,  and  shall 
issue  proposals,  giving  due  notice  thereof,  and  contract  for  the 
erection  of  said  buildings  without  delay.  One  of  their  num- 
ber to  be  treasurer,  who  shall  be  authorized  to  draw  on  the 
treasury  of  the  United  States  for  such  sums  as  may  be  needed 
out  of  the  congressional  approprial  .  for  the  erection  of  said 
building,  giving  proper  security ;  another  to  be  acting  com- 
missioner, whose  duty  shall  be  to  superintend  in  person  the 
erection  of  the  buildings ;  the  commissioners  to  receive  such 
compensation  for  their  services  as  may  hereafter  be  allowed  by 
law." 

In  pursuance  of  this  section,  the  legislative  assembly,  on  the 
7th  of  December,  183G,  in  convention,  elected  Augustus  A. 
Bird,  James  Duanc  Doty,  and  John  F.  O'Neill  commissioners ; 
which  board  at  their  first  meeting  elected  Mr.  3ud  acting 
commissioner,  and  Mr.  Doty  treasui-er.     On  the  10th  of  June, 

la; 


198 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


1837,  the   acting   commissioner,  accompaniod  by   a    party  of 

tiiirt3--six  workmen,  an-ivetl,  to  commence  the  work. 

They  were  ten  days  on  the  route  from  Milwaukee, 

making  their  own  roads,  travelling  through  a  country  without 

settlers  or  any  evidences  of  civilization. 

The  workmen,  after  the  erection  of  temporary  houses  and 
cabins,  commenced  the  excavation  for  the  foiuidation-wdls  ;  and 
the  work  was  so  far  advanced,  that  preparations  were  made  to 
hiy  the  corner-stone  with  appropriate  ceremonies  on  the  4th  of 
July,  and  a  celebration  was  had.  Among  the  guests  was  a 
party  of  Winnebago  Indians  with  their  chief.  Dandy.' 

Of  the  twenty-one  members  from  the  counties  east  of  the 
Mississippi,  it  is  believed  that  only  five  survive  at  this  date 
(187o),  —  Gilbert  Knapp,  Alanson  Sweet,  and  J.  B.  Terry  of 
the  council,  and  Gen.  A.  G.  Ellis  and  Thomfvs  Shanley  of  the 
house.  But  few  persons  realize  the  condition  of  things  as  they 
were  in  1836.  In  recalling  the  changes  that  have  taken  place 
in  the  Territory  and  State  since  that  date,  it  seems  almost  like 
a  dream.  It  is  not  forty  years  since  the  Territory  was  organ- 
ized ;  and  yet,  in  tliat  length  of  time,  a  State  has  grown  into 
existence  of  at  least  a  million  of  inhabitants.  In  18-30  there 
were  but  three  newspapers  published  west  of  Lake  Michigan, 
and  north  of  Illinois,  in  the  vast  territory  extending  to  the 
Pacific,  —  one  at  Milwaukee,  "  The  Advertiser."  established  in 
July,  183G ;  one  at  Green  Bay,  in  August,  1830,  "The  Green- 
Bay  Intelligencer;"  and  one  at  Belmont  in  the  ijresent  county 
of  Lafayette,  in  the  fall  of  tiie  year,  called  "  The  lU'lmont 
Gazette  ;  "  the  latter  being  established  merely  to  do  the  Terri- 
torial printing,  the  first  legislature  having  been  summoned  to 
meet  at  that  place.  What  is  now  Iowa  —  with  the  exception 
of  two  or  three  points  on  the  Mississippi,  Dubuque,  and  Bur- 
lington—  was  an  unknown  wild,  without  even  a  name,  as  was 
Western  Wisconsin,  and  the  country  extending  north  to  the 
British  Possessions.  The  lead-mines  in  the  west,  and  the 
military  establishments  of  Forts  Howard,  Winnebago,  and 
Crawford,  and  the  villages  of  Green  Bay  and  Milwaukee,  and  the 
fewmining-settlementa,  —  numbering  an  estimated  population, 

1  Dandy  was  a  prominent  Winnebago  chief,  aou  of  uld  Four  libf^,  and  died  at 
the  Tunnel,  we  believe,  in  1873. 


200 


BIBTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


in  all,  of  some  ten  thousand  inhabitants,  —  ivera  all  there  was 
of  this  vast  Indian  country  unexplored  and  unknown  except 
io  its  native  people,  to  its  scarcely  less  wild  traders  and  trap- 
pers. There  were  no  regular  routes  of  travel  in  the  interior ; 
and  all  communication  between  distant  points  was  either 
through  exploring-parties  made  on  foot  or  on  horseback,  along 
well-worn  Indian  trails,  or  under  the  direction  of  Indian 
guides.  From  one  military  station  to  another,  the  government 
had  opened  passable  roads  ;  but  elsewhere  the  routes  of  travel 
were  neither  direct  nor  comfortable,  being  such  as  the  Indian 
or  the  lazy  half-breed  had  opened  at  the  least  expenditure  of 
labor,  regardless  of  distance  or  convenience. 

In  the  year  1836,  there  was  no  land  in  market,  save  a  narrow 
strip  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Michigan  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
Green  Bay,  at  which  place  the  government  land-oflSce  was 
located ;  the  balance  of  the  surveyed  portion  of  the  Territory 
being  open  only  to  pre-emption.  Settlers  were  governed  in 
the  possession  of  these  lands  by  laws  and  regulations  adopted 
at  public  meetings  ;  and  these  were  faithfully  adhered  to,  as  a 
matter  of  common  safety.  When  the  lauds  finally  came  into 
market,  these  settlers,  or  "trespassers,"  as  they  were  held 
under  the  law,  bid  off  the  tracts  to  which  they  respectively 
laid  claim  ;  no  interference  oi  over-bidding  on  the  part  of  out- 
siders being  permitted.  At  the  first  land-sale  at  Milwaukee,  a 
citizen  speculator  of  that  place  was  taken  to  the  river  and 
thoroughly  ducked,  because  of  his  having  bid  against  a  settler. 
These  settlers  were  mostly  Eastern  men,  who,  leaving  their 
families,  came  to  the  Territory  to  lay  the  foundations  for  new 
homes.  They  went  to  the  wilderness,  built  themselves  cabins, 
improved  the  land,  and,  when  they  became  owners  of  their 
claims,  brought  their  families  to  the  enjoj-ment  of  their  new 
possessions,  which  have  since  grown  into  beautiful  homes,  or 
theatres  of  active  business.  The  land-claimants  were  a  hardy, 
enduring,  hopeful  class  of  people;  but  many  of  them  only 
opened  the  way  for  others,  falling  back  before  the  tide  of 
immigration  to  other  undeveloped  portions  of  the  West. 

Such  was  the  state  of  matters  less  than  forty  yeais  ago.  A 
country  rich  in  natural  resources  had  passed  into  the  hands  of 
young,  energetic  men  for  development ;  and  undertakings  were 


EISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


201 


1837. 


entered  upon  then  that  would  seem  impossible  to  less  hopeful 
and  less  self-relying  minds  than  are  generally  possessed  by  early 
settlers. 

The  second  session  of  the  legislative  assembly  convened  at 
Burlington  on  Monday  the  sixth  day  of  November,  1837,  and 
continued  in  session  until  the  20th  of  January, 
1838,  when  it  adjourned  to  meet  again  on  the  second 
Monday  in  June.  The  two  houses  were  composed  of  the 
same  members  as  at  the  previous  session,  with  the  exception  of 
four  persons  elected  to  fill  the  places  of  four  who  had  resigned. 
Of  the  council,  Arthur  B.  Ingraham  was  elected  president; 
George  Beatty,  secretary ;  and  Levi  Sterling,  sergeant-at-arms. 
And  of  the  house  of  representatives,  Isaac  Leffler  was  chosen 
speaker ;  John  Catlin,  chief  clerk ;  and  William  Morgan,  ser- 
geant-at-arms. The  governor,  in  his  message,  recommended,  aa 
he  had  at  the  previous  session,  a  codification  of  the  laws,  the 
organization  of  the  militia,  the  improvement  of  rivers  and 
harbors,  and  other  measures  which  had  not  been  considered  by 
the  legislative  assembly.  This  session  was  not  marked  by  any 
events  of  peculiar  interest.  The  whole  num'  ">•  of  acts 
passed  was  a  hundred  and  six.  Of  these,  eighteen  related  to 
the  laying-out  and  organization  of  counties,  locating  county- 
seats,  and  to  town,  village,  and  city  organization ;  ten,  to  the 
establishment  of  eighteen  different  seminaries  and  universities  ; 
nine,  to  the  location  of  roads ;  and  thirty-six,  to  the  general 
conduct  of  the  public  affairs  of  the  Territory.  There  was  also 
passed  thirty-two  private  acts,  of  which  one  was  to  incorporate 
a  bank  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  which  was  disapproved  by  Con- 
gress, and  never  went  into  effect ;  and  six  to  grant  divorces,  all 
of  which  took  effect  immediately  after,  and  some,  perhaps, 
before,  their  passage. 

Of  the  public  acts,  the  two  most  important  were  the  act 
providing  for  taking  another  census,  and  the  act  abolishing 
imprisonment  for  debt ;  which  relic  of  barbarism  had  continued 
in  force,  by  operation  of  the  laws  of  Michigan  upon  the 
organization  of  the  Territory.  Among  the  eighteen  universi- 
ties and  seminaries  established  was  the  University  of  the 
Territory  of  Wisconsin  at  Madison,  to  which  Congress  was, 
by  joint  resolution,  urged  to  make  an  appropriation  of  twenty 


S02 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSm. 


thousand  dollars  in  money,  and  two  townships  of  land.  The 
money  was  net  appropriated.  But  on  the  12th  of  June,  1838, 
Congress  made  an  appropriation  of  the  amount  of  land  asked 
for,  —  two  townships,  or  46,080  acres,  which  was  the  fundamen- 
tal endowment  of  that  noble  university,  whose  spacious  build- 
ings now  adorn  the  capital  of  the  State,  and  whose  facilities 
and  capacity  for  educating  its  youth  reflect  so  much  credit 
upon  those  who  have  manifested  so  great  an  interest,  and  such 
untiring  perseverance,  in  promoting  its  welfare.  Some  account 
of  this  act,  and  of  the  early  history  of  the  university,  will 
prove  of  interest.  The  following  is  a  synopsis  of  the  original 
charter  of  the  university,  which  was  approved  Jan.  19,  1838 :  — 


Section  1.  "That  there  shall  be  established  at  or  near 
Madison,  the  seat  of  government,  a  university  for  the  purpose 
of  educating  youth,  the  name  whereof  shall  be  the  '  University 
of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin.'  The  said  university  to  be 
under  the  government  of  a  board  of  visitors,  not  exceeding 
twenty  in  number,  of  whom  the  governor  and  secretary  of  the 
Territory,  the  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  the  president 
of  said  university,  shall  be  a  part,  and  Bushnell  B.  Cary, 
Marshall  M.  Strong,  Byron  Kilbourn,  William  A.  Gardiner, 
Henry  Stringham,  Charles  R.  Brush,  Charles  C.  P.  Arndt,  John 
Catlin,  George  H.  Slaughter,  David  Brigham,  John  F.  Scher- 
merhorn,  William  A.  Coryell,  George  Beatty,  Henry  L,  Dodge, 
and  Augustus  A.  Bird,  the  remainder,  who  shall  hold  their 
oiEce  during  the  pleasure  of  the  legislature,  bj'  whom  all  va- 
cancies shall  be  filled." 

Sect.  2  creates  the  Board  a  body  politic  and  corporate,  with 
perpetual  succession,  under  the  name  of  the  "  Board  of  Visit- 
ors of  the  University  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,"  with  all 
the  usual  powers  of  a  corporation ;  eleven  to  be  a  quorum  for 
all  necessary  business. 

Sect.  8  provides  that  it  shall  be  lawful  for  such  Board, 
from  time  to  time,  to  apply  such  part  of  theii-  estate  and  funds 
in  such  a  manner  as  may  be  the  most  conducive  to  the  promo- 
tion of  literature  and  the  advancement  of  useful  knowledge 
within  the  Territory ;  providing,  that,  when  grants  shall  be 
made  to  them  for  certain  uses  and  purposes  therein  expressed 


nisTOsr  OF  iriscoNsm. 


208 


and  declared,  the  same  shall  not  be  applied,  either  in  whole  or 
in  part,  to  any  other  uses,  -without  the  consent  of  the  grantor. 

Sect.  4  provides  for  the  election  of  secretary  and  treasurer, 
by  ballot,  by  the  Board,  with  the  usual  power,  duties,  and 
responsibilities. 

Sect.  5  authorizes  said  Board  of  Visitors,  from  time  to 
time,  to  establish  such  colleges,  academies,  and  schools,  depend- 
ing on  the  said  university,  as  they  may  think  proper,  and  as 
the  funds  of  the  corporation  will  permit ;  and  it  shall  also  be 
the  duty  of  said  Board  of  Visitors  to  visit  and  inspect  acade- 
mies and  schools,  to  examine  into  the  state  and  systems  of  edu- 
cation and  discipline  therein,*  and  to  make  a  yearly  report 
thereof  to  the  legislature. 

Sect.  6  provides  that  persons  of  every  religious  denomina- 
tion shall  be  capable  of  being  elected  visitors ;  nor  shall  any 
person  as  president,  professor,  instructor,  or  pupil,  be  refused 
admittance  for  his  conscientious  persuasion  in  matter  of  reli- 
gion, provided  he  shall  demean  himself  in  a  proper  manner, 
and  conform  to  such  rules  as  may  be  established. 

Sect.  7  provides  that  the  act  of  incorporation  may  be  re- 
pealed or  modified  by  the  legislative  power  of  the  Territory, 
provided  that  such  power  of  repeal  shall  never  be  extended  to 
divert  to  any  other  purposes  than  those  expressed  therein,  if 
any  shall  be  expressed  in  any  grant  of  property  to  such  corpo- 
ration. But  such  property,  in  the  event  of  the  dissolution  of 
such  corporation,  or  in  case  such  grant  shall  be  disapproved 
by  the  legislative  power,  shall  revert  to  the  grantor  or  his  heirs. 

Sect.  8  requires  the  first  meeting  under  the  act  to  be  held 
on  the  first  Monday  in  July,  1838,  and,  if  a  quorum  should  not 
be  in  attendance,  to  adjourn  from  time  to  time  until  a  quorum 
shall  attend. 

Sect.  9  provides,  that,  whenever  the  word  " '  Territory ' 
occurs  in  the  act,  it  shall  be  read  '  State,'  after  the  Territory 
becomes  a  State." 


A  few  more  items  relative  to  the  territorial  history  of  the 
university  may  be  desirable  at  this  time. 

A  full  meeting  of  the  Board  was  probably  held  in  July,  1838, 
as  required  by  the  act  of  incorporation. 


204 


n I  STORY  OF  wiscoysm. 


The  first  record  of  any  such  session  is  the  foUoM^ng,  which 
is  taken  from  "  The  Wisconsin  Enquirer "  of  Dec.  8  of  that 
year. 

"  A  meeting  of  the  '  board  of  visitors  of  the  University  of  the  Territory 
of  Wisconsin '  was  held  at  Madison,  Dec.  1, 1838.  Present :  Henry  Dodge, 
William  B.  Slaughter,  Jfarshall  M.  Strong,  David  Brigham,  George  H. 
Slaughter,  Augustus  A.  Bird,  George  Boatty,  and  John  Collins. 

"  On  motion  of  William  B.  Slaughter,  the  Board  proceeded  to  elect  a 
treasurer  and  secretary  by  ballot ;  and,  the  votes  having  been  taken,  it  ap- 
peared that  Henry  Dodgo  had  received  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  for  the 
oiEce  of  treasurer,  and  that  John  Catlin  had  received  a  majority  of  the  votes 
cast  for  the  office  of  secretary  ;  and  they  were  declared  duly  elected. 

"  On  motion  of  M.  M.  Strong,  Ordered,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to 
examine  the  lands  proposed  to  be  donated  by  Josiah  A.  Noonan  and  Aaron 
Vanderpoel,  and  the  lauds  generally  in  the  vicinity  of  JIadison,  and 
report  to  the  Board  at  their  next  meeting  a  suitable  site  for  the  location  of 
the  university ;  and  Messrs.  A.  A.  Bird,  David  Brigham,  and  George  H. 
Slaughter  were  appointed  such  committee. 

"  Ou  motion  of  D.  Brigham,  Esq.,  it  was  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of 
three  be  appointed  to  request  the  legislative  assembly,  at  the  present  session, 
to  memorialize  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  of  the  United  States  to  locate 
the  lands  donated  by  the  act  of  Congress,  approved  12th  of  June,  1838, 
for  the  use  and  support  of  a  university  within  this  Territory,  in  pursuance 
of  said  act ;  and  to  request  the  legislative  assembly  that  the  same  be  appro- 
priated for  the  benefit  of  the  University  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  to  be 
located  at  or  near  Madison,  in  the  county  of  Dane. 

"On  motion  of  Col.  William  B.  Slaughter,  the  Chair  appointed  the 
following  committee :  William  B.  Slaughter,  George  Beatty,  and  Marshall 
M.  Strong. 

"  Ou  motion  of  Mr.  George  Beatty,  it  was  /Jeso/i'e(/„That  the  secretary  be 
authorized  to  procure  a  seal,  with  suitable  devices,  for  the  use  of  the  board 
of  visitors,  as  early  as  practicable. 

"  On  motion  of  M.  JI.  Strong,  Ordered,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  meet- 
ing be  published  in  the  Madison  '  Enquirer  ; '  and,  on  motion  of  Col.  W.  B. 
Slaughter,  the  Board  adjourned  to  meet  on  Saturday  next,  at  three,  p.m." 


There  is  no  further  record  of  any  meetings  following  this 
adjournment.  The  legislature,  at  its  January  session  in  1839, 
adopted  a  joint  resolution  providing  for  the  selection  of  the 
lands,  appointing  J.  V.  Suydam  of  Brown  County,  F.  O.  Rirk- 
patrick  of  the  county  of  Iowa,  and  J.  B.  Zander  of  the  county 
of  Milwaukee,  commissioners  to  locate  a  portion,  not  exseeding 
tVrO-lhirds  of  all  the  lands  donated  by  Congress  by  the  act 


206 


ni STORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


approved  June  12,  1838,  for  the  use  and  support  of  the  univer- 
sity ;  requiring  them  to  meet  at  Madison,  in  the  county  of 
Dane,  on  the  fust  Monday  in  May,  and  proceed  to  examine 
and  select  equal  quantities  of  such  lands,  Avithin  the  limits  of 
the  United  States  land  district  in  this  Territory,  as  would  best 
promote  the  interests  of  the  university. 

Within  thirty  days  after  making  such  selection,  public 
notice  was  required  to  be  given  of  the  same  for  six  successive 
weeks  i  and,  on  completion  of  the  same,  a  report  to  the  gov- 
ernor, to  be  by  him  transmitted  to  the  treasurer  of  the  United 
States,  with  a  request  that  the  lands  so  selected  be  set  apart 
and  reserved  for  the  purposes  mentioned  in  the  said  act  of 
Congress. 

This  commission,  for  some  retson,  did  not  at  the  time,  or  even 
afterwards,  select  the  lands  authorized  by  the  foregoing  resolu- 
tion. 

At  a  later  period,  we  find  the  work  was  performed  by 
Nathaniel  F.  Hyers. 

The  history  of  the  university  will  be  continued  hereafter. 

At  this  second  session,  a  bill  was  passed  to  "  regulate  the  sale 
of  school-lands,  and  to  provide  for  organizing,  regulating,  and 
perfecting  schools."  It  was  provided,  that,  as  soon  as  twenty 
electors  should  reside  in  a  surveyed  township  in  which  was 
a  school-section,  they  should  elect  three  commissioners  of 
common  schools,  who  should  hold  their  oflSce  for  three  years, 
apply  the  proceeds  of  the  leases  of  school-lands  to  pay  the 
wages  of  teachers  in  every  township,  and  call  school-meetings ; 
each  district  to  elect  three  directors.  And  five  inspectors  were 
elected  annually  to  examine  schools,  and  inspect  teachers. 

The  first  school-district  in  the  State  was  organized  under  the 
old  Michigan  school-law,  in  Milwaukee,  in  the  fall  of  1836, 
about  the  same  time  that  the  firat  session  of  the  legislative 
assembly  was  held.  The  first  public  school  was  kept  by  a  Mr. 
West,  in  a  framed  schoolhouse  in  the  second  ward  of  that  city, 
—  the  first  in  the  State. 

On  the  16th  of  February,  1837,  Col.  William  B.  Slaughter 
was  by  Pres.  Jackson  appointed  secretary  of  the  Territory,  in 
the  place  of  John  S.  Horner  removed. 

It  was  at  this  session  that  an  act  was  passed  "  to  incorpoi-ate 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


207 


.  the  Milwaukee  and  Rock  River  Canal  Company,"  which  con- 
tained, among  other  things,  an  authority  to  tho  company  to 
apply  to  Congress  for  an  appropriation,  in  money  or  lands,  to 
aid  in  the  construction  of  its  works.  In  pursuance  of  this 
authority,  application  was  made,  and  an  appropriation  obtained 
in  June,  1838,  of  the  odd-numbered  sections  on  a  belt  of 
territory  five  miles  in  width  on  each  side  of  the  lino  of 
the  proposed  canal.  Tliis  grant  of  land,  if  it  had  be0n 
judiciously  managed,  would  have  produced  a  fund  adequate 
for  the  construction  of  a  canal  connecting  Rock  Uiver  with 
Lake  Michigan,  which  would  have  been  followed,  no  doubt, 
by  slack-water  navigation  on  Rock  River,  providing  a  cheap 
means  of  transit  to  market,  of  the  bulky  agricultural  products 
of  the  extensive  and  fertile  valley  of  Rook  River  and  of 
other  parts  of  the  State  and  of  Illinois.  But,  instead  of 
the  blessing  it  might  have  been,  it  proved  a  cui-se  and  a 
blight  upon  the  early  prosperity  of  tho  Territor}-,  owing 
mainly  to  the  antagonisms  which  grew  up  between  the 
oflBcers  of  the  canal  company  and  the  Territorial  oflBcers 
intrusted  with  the  disposition  of  the  lands  granted  by  Con- 
gress and  of  their  proceeds,  and  to  the  conflicts  between  the 
beneficiaries  of  the  land  grant,  and  some  of  the  leading 
politicians  of  the  times. 

A  special  session  of  the  legislative  assembly  was  held  at 
Burlington,  June  11,  1838,  and  was  a  short  one,  last- 
ing only  two  weeks,  iuljourning  on  the  25th  of  June. 
The  only  change  in  tho  officers  consisted  of  William  B.  Sheldon 
being  elected  spciiker  of  the  house  of  representatives. 

The  session  was  held  mainly  for  tlie  purpose  of  making  a 
new  apportiomont  of  members  of  the  house,  based  upon  the 
census  taken  in  May.  Thirty-one  acts  were  passed,  of  which 
six  related  to  counties,  five  to  roads,  seven  to  the  conduct  of 
public  affairs,  and  the  remaining  thirteen  to  private  matters,  of 
which  four  were  to  grant  divorces.  Among  the  public  acta 
was  one  postponing  the  general  election  from  the  first  Monday 
of  August  to  the  second  Monday  of  September ;  and  another 
making  a  new  apportionment  of  the  members  of  the  house  of 
representatives  to  be  then  elected.  Of  the  twenty-six  mem- 
bers, twelve  were  apportioned  among  the  counties  east  of  the 


1838. 


208 


niSTORY  OF  WlSCONStN. 


JMississippi  River,  and  fourteen  among  those  west.  This 
api)ortii)iim(;nt  was,  however,  to  be  contingent  upon  the  divis- 
ion of  till!  Territory;  upon  which  contingency  it  was  made 
the  duty  of  t ho  governor  to  make  an  apportionment.  Tliis  act 
was  approved  on  the  2.'id  of  June;  and  the  act  to  divide  the 
Territory,  and  cstahlisli  the  Territorial  Government  of  Iowa, 
was  approved  on  the  12th  of  June,  twelve  da^'s  previous  ;  but 
in  tliose  da,v8  of  slow  mails,  and  while  the  electric  telegraph 
was  an  experiment,  the  news  of  its  passage  did  not  reach 
Durlington  until  after  the  passage  of  the  apportionment  act. 
Having  provided  that  the  next  session  should  be  held  at 
Madison,  the  first  legislative  assembly  of  Wisconsin  Territory 
adjourned  June  25,  1838.  On  the  20th  of  February,  1848,  the 
commissioners  of  public  buildings  advertised  that  they  would 
receive  proposals  for  the  erection  of  the  public  buildings,  and 
gave  spcciflcations  of  the  plan  of  the  Capitol  and  its  interior  and 
exterior  work;  in  reply  to  which,  bids  were  received,  ranging 
from  $24,450  to  6*125,000;  and  the  contract  was  awarded  to 
James  Morrison  for  $20,200  on  the  17t!i  of  Api'l.  By  an 
act  of  Congress,  approved  June  18,  1838,  the  further  sum  of 
$•20,000  was  appropriated  for  finishing  the  work. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


THE  TEURITOUIAL  GOVERNMENT. 


Population  nnd  Apportionment— The  First  Lcglslallvo  AsscniMy  nt  MadlHon^ 
Tho  Cunditlon  of  the  New  Capitol  —  IIoj^h  anil  AiHenibly-Mun  In  the  Same  I'ea 
—  AmuHlng  Itcminiiicence.'i  —  The  New  (Ohl)  Capitol  Wrangle— In veittigutiug 
Comnilttoos  —  Jtecoss  —  Second  Session  —  Laws  Passed,  &c. 

By  tho  act  of  Congress  to  divide  the  Territory,  it  was  pro- 
vided that  tho  terms  of  tho  members  of  the  council  and  house 
of  representatives  be  deemed  to  liave  expired,  and  that  a  new 
election  of  members  should  bo  had  upon  an  apportionment  to 
be  made  by  the  governor,  and  that  they  should  meet  at  Madi- 
son at  such  time  as  the  governor  should  appoint. 

The  population  of  tho  Territory  in  May,  1838,  as  shown  by 
the  census,  was  as  follows  :  — 

Counties.  Fopulatlon. 

Brown 3,018 

Crawford 1,220 

D.tno            172 

Dodgo 18 

Green 404 

Grant 2,703 

Iowa            3,218 

Jefferson 408 

Milwaukee 3,131 

Racine 2,054 

Eock            480 

Walworth 1,019 

Washington 04 

Total 18,140 

The  time  fixed  by  the  governor  for  the  meeting  of  the  first 
session  of  the  second  legislative  assembly,  and  the  first  under 

14  20» 


210 


IIISTOItT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


the  re-organized  Territorial  Goveriir.ient,  was  the  twenty-sixth 
day  of  Nuveinber,  1838. 

On  the  8th  of  November,  1838,  Hon.  Andrew  G.  Miller  of 
Pennsylvania  was  appointed  associate  justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  to  succeed  Judge  Frazer,  tlien  recently  deceased ;  and 
Chief  Justice  Dunn,  and  Associate  Justices  Irvin  and  jNIiller, 
constituted  the  Supreme  Court  until  the  organization  of  the 
State  Government  iu  1848. 

At  the  July  term  of  1839,  Franklin  J.  Munger  was  appointed 
attorney-general  for  that  term,  in  the  absence  of  that  officer 
(11.  N.  Wells) ;  and  the  clerk,  John  Catlin,  having  resigned, 
Simeon  Jlills  was  appointed  to  fill  his  jilaee ;  and  Lafayette 
Kellogg,  now  and  for  many  years  the  faithful  and  efficient 
clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State,  was  apjjouited  deputy 
clerk,  and  attended  to  the  duties  of  the  office.  From  that 
time,  a  term  of  the  coiu-t  was  held  annually,  as  provided  by 
law,  until  Wisconsin  was  admitte<l  a  State.  Mr.  IMills  liaving 
resigned  the  office  of  clerk  in  1840,  ]\Ir.  Kellogg  was  appointed 
to  fill  the  vacancy. 

Party  lines  had  not  yet  been  drawn  in  the  Territory  ;  and  the 
members  were  elected  without  reference  to,  and  perhaps  with 
out  a  public  knowledge  of,  tlieir  views  upon  national  politics. 
Among  tlie  members  elected  were  Edward  V.  AVliiton,  ^sclson 
Dewey,  Daniel  Wells,  jun.,  Morgan  L.  JIartin,  and  Marshall  M. 
Strong. 

Upon  the  convening  of  the  legislative  assembly,  it  was 
found  that  the  Capitol  was  in  an  unfinislied  state  ;  and  so  much 
dissatisfaction  existed  with  tlie  accommodations  at  Madison, 
that  it  was  a  matter  of  doubt  for  two  weeks,  whether  or  not 
a  temporary  adjournment  to  Milwaukee  would  be  cfi'ected.  A 
committee  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  investigating  tlie  extent 
of  the  acconunodations  reported  "  tliat  at  tlie  Madison  House 
there  was  one  room  that  would  accommodate  six  persons ;  at 
the  Madison  Hotel,  two  rooms  that  would  accommodate  four 
persons ;  and,  at  tiie  American  Hotel,  eight  rooms,  suflicient  to 
accommodate  twenty-six  persons  :  but  thej-  could  not  ascertain 
that  more  tliaii  fifty  persons  could  be  accommodated  witli  suffi- 
cient rf)oms  for  tlie  transaction  of  business.  Tlie  session  was 
organized  in  the  couueil  by  the  election  of   William  Bulleu, 


212 


niSTOHT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


president ;  George  Beatty,  secretary ;  and  S.  N.  Ives,  sergeant- 
at-arms ;  and  in  the  house,  by  the  election  of  John  W.  Black- 
atone,  speaker ;  John  Catlin,  chief  clerk,  and  Thomas  !Morgan, 
sergeant-at-arms. 

Gov.  Dodge,  in  his  message,  recommended  the  investigation 
of  the  banks  in  the  Territory,  memorializing  Congress  for  a 
grant  of  lands  to  be  sold,  and  applied  to  the  improvement  of  the 
Fox  and  Wisconsin  Rivers,  the  revision  of  the  laws,  the  divis- 
ion of  the  Territory  into  judicial  districts,  the  claims  of  the 
miners,  and  the  improvement  of  the  harbors  on  Lake  Michigan, 

Col.  Ebenezer  Childs,  who  was  a  member  of  the  legislature, 
in  his  "  Recollections  of  Wisconsin,"  published  in  vol.  iv.  of 
"  Collections  of  State  Historical  Society  "  says,  — 


'*  The  new  Capitol  edifice  was  not  yet  in  suitable  condition  to  receive  the 
legislature  :  so  wo  had  to  assemble  in  the  basement  of  the  old  American 
House,  where  Gov.  Dodfje  delivered  his  first  message  at  the  new  seat  of  gov- 
enunent.  We  adjourned  from  day  to  day,  until  we  could  get  in  the  new 
Capitol  building.  At  length  we  took  possession  of  the  new  Assembly  Hall. 
The  floors  were  laid  with  green  oak-boards  full  of  ice.  The  walls  of  the 
room  were  iced  over  ;  green-oak  seats,  and  desks  made  of  rough  boards, 
one  fireplace,  and  one  small  stove.  In  a  few  days  the  flooring  near  the  stove 
and  fireplace  so  shrunk,  on  account  of  the  heat,  that  a  person  could  run  his 
hands  between  tlie  boards.  The  basement-story  was  all  open  ;  and  James 
Morrison's  large  drove  of  hogs  had  taken  possession.  They  were  awfully 
poor  ;  and  it  would  have  taken  two  of  them,  standing  side  by  side,  to  have 
made  a  decent  shadow  on  a  bright  day.  We  had  a  gioat  many  smart  mem- 
bers in  the  house,  and  sometimes  they  spoke  for  Buncombe.  AVhen  mem- 
bers of  this  kind  would  become  too  tedious,  I  would  take  a  long  pole,  I'o  at 
the  hogs,  and  stir  them  up;  when  they  would  raise  a  young  Pandemonium 
for  noise  and  confusion.  The  speaker's  voice  would  become  completely 
drowned;  and  ho  would  be  compelled  to  stop,  not,  however,  without  giving 
his  squealing  disturbers  a  sample  of  hi.s  swearing  ability.  Tiie  weather  was 
cold;  the  halls  we.  ■?  cold;  our  ink  would  freeze:  so,  when  we  could  stand  it 
no  longer,  we  passed  a  joint  resolution  to  adjourn  for  twenty  days.  I  was 
appointed  by  the  two  houses  to  procure  carpeting  for  both  halls  during  tlio 
recess.  I  bought  all  I  could  find  in  the  Territory,  and  brought  ittoMadi.san, 
and  put  it  down,  after  covering  the  floor  with  a  thick  coating  of  liay.  Alter 
this,  we  were  more  comfortable.  We  used  to  have  tall  tinn's  in  liios :  days, 
—  days  long  to  be  remembered.  Stealing  was  carried  on  in  a  small  way. 
Occnsionally  a  bill  would  bo  fairly  stolen  through  the  legislature;  and  Iha 
legislature  would  get  gouged  now  and  then. " 

Judge  J.  G.  Knapp,  also,  in  referring  to  this  session,  says, — 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


213 


"  Ilaring  organized  the  legislature,  the  next  question  was  for  members, 
officers,  and  lobbyists  to  find  places  to  eat  aiid  sleep  in.  Though  we  paif^ 
metropolitan  prices,  it  cannot  be  said  that  we  liad  exactly  metropolitan  fare. 
But  men  were  remarkably  accommodating  in  those  days,  and  could  eat  '  hog 
and  hominy  '  or  '  common  doings,'  when  '  chicken  fixens  '  could  not  be  had. 
A  frontier  life  is  a  mighty  lovelier,  —  much  like  poverty,  making  men 
acquainted  with  strange  bed-fellows.  The  '  school  section  '  of  the  '  Ameri- 
can,' embracing  most  of  the  garret,  was  marked  into  lodging-places  by 
cracks  in  the  floor;  and  its  other  rooms  were  equally  crowded.  At  the  Mad- 
ison House,  only  six  men  were  placed  in  a  room  sixteen  feet  square;  and  four 
others  had  a  place  at  the  fire  during  the  day  and  evening.  The  floors  were 
also  nightly  covered  with  shake-downs  for  travellers  and  transient  visitors. 
Happy  were  those  men  who  could  find  places  in  the  few  private  houses, 
where  four  men  might  find  two  beds  in  a  cold  room  ten  or  twelve  feet 
square." 

Owing  to  the  want  of  suitable  accommodations,  the  legisla- 
tive assembly  remained  at  JIadison  about  four  weeks,  when  they 
adjourned  from  the  22d  of  December  to  the  21st  of  January, 
1839. 

The  attention  of  the  assembly  had,  however,  during  this  short 
session,  been  directed  to  several  matters  then  consid- 
ered of  great  importance.  Among  these  were,  an 
investigation  of  the  mode  in  which  the  commissioners  of  public 
buildings  had  discharged  their  duties ;  an  investigation  of  the 
tliree  banks  then  in  operation  at  Green  Bay,  Mineral  Point,  and 
Milwaukee  ;  a  plan  for  constructing  the  Jlilwaukee  and  Rock 
River  Canal,  in  aid  of  which  a  grant  of  land  had  been  made  by 
Congress  ;  and,  what  was  of  greater  importance  than  all  ek;e,  a 
revision  of  the  general  laws  of  the  Territory. 

The  governor  also  took  occasion  to  speak  of  Wisconsin  and 
her  prospects.     He  said,  — 

"From  the  great  cxtf^nt  of  this  Territory,  the  fertility  of  her  soil,  the 
salubrity  of  her  climate;  with  the  great  lakes  Miciiigan  and  Superior  on  the 
east  and  north,  and  the  '  Father  of  Rivers  '  on  the  west ;  witli  her  inex- 
haustible treasure  of  minerals  of  lead  and  copper;  with  her  extensive  for- 
Oot.'  of  pine,  and  abundantly  sujiplied  wati'r-pri\i!egcs;  with  every  natural 
facility  for  foir.i'.iig  a  general  system  of  internal  improvement  between  the 
Mississippi  and  the  Lakes  (our  inland  laki's),  supported  by  tlie  fostering 
care  of  this  patriotic  and  enlightened  administration  ;  with  the  intelligence, 
industry,  and  enterprise  of  her  citizens, — her  march  will  be  onward;  aiid 
the  time  is  not  distant  when  she  will  form  a  strong  link  in  the  chain  of 
States  iu  the  great  Valley  of  the  Mississippi." 


1839. 


'J.I.  I 


214 


nisTORT  OP  wiscoxsm. 


At  that  session,  a  new  assignment  of  judges  for  holding  dis- 
trict courts  was  made.  Judge  Dunn  was  assigned  to  the  first 
circuit,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Iowa,  Grant,  and  Crawford ; 
Judge  Irvin,  to  the  second  district,  composed  of  the  counties  of 
Dane,  Jefferson,  Rock,  Walworth,  and  Green ;  Judge  Miller,  to 
the  third  district,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Milwaukee, 
Brown,  and  Racine.  At  that  session,  the  legislative  assembly 
annexed  to  the  several  districts  a  number  of  unorganized  coun- 
ties for  judicial  purposes. 

The  investigations  furnished  no  valuable  practical  results. 
They  showed  that  the  building  commissioners  had  misapplied 
the  money  appropriated  by  Congress  for  the  construction  of  the 
Capitol ;  and,  as  a  consequence,  the  old  commissioners  were 
removed,  and  N.  C.  Prentiss,  J.  L.  Thayer,  and  L.  H.  Colton 
were  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancies. 

Mr.  Bird,  in  his  examination  before  the  Territorial  legislature 
(Feb.  15,  1839),  states,  that,  fit  the  first  meeting  of  the  commis- 
sioners, they  adopted  a  plan  of  the  building  estimated  to  cost 
from  forty  thousand  dollars  to  forty-five  thousand  dollars  ;  that 
they  did  not  advertise  for  proposals  agreeably  to  the  provisions 
of  the  act,  because  they  were  of  the  opinion  that  it  could  be 
built  mucli  cheaper  than  any  one  would  be  willing  to  contract 
to  do  it.  They,  therefore,  in  the  exercise  of  their  discretionary 
power,  concluded  to  commence  and  continue  the  work  until 
they  were  able  to  ascertain  how  it  could  be  done  with  the  least 
expense  and  best  advantage  to  the  Territory.  The  construction 
of  the  work  was  continued  by  him  until  the  month  of  Septem- 
ber following,  when  notices  for  proposals  were  issued  for  the 
first  time,  and  a  number  of  bids  presented.  None  of  them 
Avere  accepted ;  and  the  work  was  continued  as  before,  until 
April  25,  1838. 

Tlie  work  was  continued  by  Mr.  Morrison  until  1841,  at 
which  time  the  Avork  was  unfinished ;  and  Mr.  Prentiss,  as  build- 
ing commissioner  for  and  on  the  part  of  the  Territory,  entered 
into  a  contract  with  Daniel  Baxter,  by  the  terms  of  which  ho 
was  required  to  finish  the  work  as  specified  in  the  contract,  for 
the  sum  of  seven  thousand  dollars,  to  be  completed  on  or  before 
December,  1845.  It  is  not  necessary  to  give  further  details  of 
the  history  of  the  Capitol  building.     Much  contention  arose 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


215 


between  the  first  board  of  commissioners  and  tlieir  successors, 
as  well  as  the  contractors,  Messrs  Morrison  and  Baxter,  and  the 
Territorial  legislatures.  Mr.  Baxter  has  since  died,  leaving  an 
unsettled  claim  against  the  State  for  alleged  damages. 

The  investigations  of  the  banks  resulted  in  an  official  prom- 
ulgation of  the  previously  well-known  insolvency  of  the 
Bank  of  Wisconsin  at  Green  Bay,  and  a  wliitewashing  of  the 
Bank  of  Mineral  Point,  declaring  it  to  be  "  in  a  solvent  condi- 
tion," when  the  experience  of  a  short  time  demonstrated  its 
utter  insolvency. 

The  opportunity  which  the  recess  afforded  enabled  those  who 
took  an  immediate  interest  in  the  matter,  to  devise  a  plan  for 
aiding  in  the  construction  of  the  Milwaukee  and  Rock  River 
Canal,  by  disposing  of  the  land-grant,  which,  upon  the  re- 
assembling of  the  legislative  assembly,  assumed  the  form  of  a 
law,  that  would,  probably,  have  resulted  in  completing  that 
important  work,  but  for  the  unfortimate  difficulties  abeady 
referred  to. 

The  legislative  assembly  at  this  session  revised  the  school- 
law  of  the  Territory ;  and  tlic  office  of  town  commissioners 
was  abolished,  and  their  duties  were  transferred  to  the  inspec- 
tors, who  had  bestowed  upon  them  the  additional  power  to 
listen  to  complaints  against  teachers,  and  discharge  incompetent 
ones,  to  keep  the  schools  in  repair,  and  to  make  returns  of  the 
number  of  scholars  in  the  towns  to  the  county  commissioners. 
It  was  also  made  the  duty  of  the  last-named  officers  to  levy  a 
school-tax  on  the  whole  county,  and  to  appoint  inspectors  in 
the  towns  which  refused  or  neglected  to  choose  them.  The' 
name  of  district  officers  was  changed  to  trustees.  Every  town 
with  not  less  than  ten  families  was  required  to  become  a  school 
district,  and  provide  a  competent  teacher  ;  and,  with  more  than, 
ten  families,  it  was  to  be  divided  into  two  or  more  districts.  It 
will  be  seen,  that  although  the  Territory  was  but  recently  organ- 
ized, and  with  a  limited  population,  the  settlers  were  awake  to 
the  importance  of  educational  privileges. 

The  most  important  Avork,  however,  of  that  session,  or  of 
the  two  sessions  (for  there  was  a  complete  re-organization  of 
both  houses  upon  their  rc-assembling),  was  the  revision  of  the' 
laws,  which  was  perfected  dui'ing  the  recess,  and  submitted  to 


i.'J 


21G 


niSTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


the  two  houses  at  their  second  meeting.  The  committee  for 
this  purpose  consisted  of  jMessrs.  [Martin,  Marshall  jM.  Strong, 
and  Collins  of  the  council,  and  ^Icssrs.  Whiton,  Story,  and 
Shackleford  of  Iho  house  of  representatives.  They  were 
required  by  the  resolution  to  make  a  division  of  the  labor  of 
revision  ;  and  the  portion  allotted  to  each  branch  of  the  com- 
mittee was  to  be  reported  to  the  house  of  which  thcj'  were 
members.  The  committee,  during  the  recess,  prepared,  and,  at 
the  succeeding  session,  reported,  numerous  bills,  which  were 
passed  by  that  body,  and  compose  the  principal  part  of  the 
laws  contamed  in  the  volume  of  the  Revised  Statutes  published 
in  1839,  and  which  took  effect  on  the  4th  of  July  of  that 
year. 

Hon.  Edward  V.  Whiton,  the  late  able  and  upright  chief 
justice  of  the  State,  was  intrusted  by  the  legislative  assembly 
with  the  care  of  the  printing  and  publication  of  this  volume, 
and  the  preparation  of  marginal  notes  and  indexes. 

Before  lands  were  brought  into  market  by  the  President's 
proclamation,  the  settlers  had  adopted  a  system  for  their  mutual 
protection.  The  settler  who  first  entered  on  a  quarter-section 
of  land,  or  a  fraction  of  a  section,  was  protected  in  his  posses- 
sion, against  jumpers  of  his  claim.  By  the  settlers'  code,  the 
jumper  was  summoned  before  their  committee,  who  iuimmarily 
disposed  of  the  case.  If  the  complainant  Avas  found  to  be  an 
actual  settler,  and  entitled  to  his  claim,  the  jumper  had  to  sur- 
render without  delay.  There  was  no  resisting  the  judgment 
of  the  committee  ;  for  the  whole  town  formed  a  posse  to  enforce 
the  execution.  This  was,  imder  the  circumstances,  a  wise  and 
humane  provision  for  the  early  settlement  and  improvement  of 
the  country ;  and,  in  many  instances,  personal  quarrels  were 
thereby  prevented.  At  this  session,  two  other  committees,  of 
three  members  each,  were  appointed  to  inve.-tigate  the  banks 
in  the  Territory,  which  they  were  required  to  vi.jit  in  person. 
It  was  at  this  session  the  act  was  passed  to  incorporate  the 
Wisconsin  Marine  and  Fire  Insurance  Company,  Avhich,  imdcr 
the  power  to  "  receive  money  on  deposit,  and  loan  the  same," 
filled  all  the  channels  for  money  circulation  in  the  y  alley  of  the 
Mississippi  for  j-ears  with  its  certificates  of  deposit,  in  the 
similitude  of,  and  which  supplied  the  place  of,  bank-notes ; 


or 
id 


218 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


although  the  charter  expressly  provided  that  nothing  therein 
contained  should  give  the  company  banking  privileges.  This 
is  a  striking  illustration  of  the  futility  of  legislative  restrictions 
upon  the  exercise  of  corporate  powers,  especially  when  sus- 
tained, as  that  company  was,  by  popular  sentiment. 

Other  questions,  of  more  or  less  temporary  interest,  occupied 
the  attention  of  the  legislative  assembly  during  its  long  and 
laborious  session,  which  it  is  unnecessary  to  refer  to  in 
detail ;  and  it  may  with  truth  be  said,  that,  as  a  whole,  no  ses- 
sion during  the  existence  of  the  Territorial  Government  ever 
performed  more  labor,  or  in  a  more  satisfactory  manner,  thai, 
the  one  of  which  we  now  take  our  leave. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


THE  TEBRITORIAL  GOVERNMENT. 


pi 


Land  and  Boundary  Questions  —  Coiirts  —  A  Contested  Election  Case — The 
Mineral  I'oint  IJnnk  —  Its  Failure  —  Capitol  Improvements  —  The  "  Baxter 
Claim  "  —  Gen.  Dodge  succeeded  Ijy  James  Duane  Doty  —  Tlie  Lattcr's  Views 
—  Difficulties  — The  Loan  Agent  and  his  Differences  wltli  the  Canal  Commis- 
sioners—  Injurious  Effects. 

The  next  session  of  the  legislative  assembly  commenced  on 
the  second  day  of  December,  1839.  James  Collins  was  chosen 
president  of  the  council,  George  Beatty  secretary ;  and  Edward 
V.  Whiton  speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives,  and  John 
Catlin  chief  clerk.  The  term  for  which  the  members  of  the 
house  were  elected  was  about  to  expire ;  and  a  new  apportion- 
ment was  desirable.  The  census  to  be  taken  the  ensuing  June 
by  the  United  States  marshal  presented  a  favorable  oppor- 
tunity of  basing  a  new  apportionment  upon  a  fresh  enumeration 
of  the  inhabitants.  For  this  purpose,  a  short  session  was 
resolved  on,  and  an  adjournment  to  August,  Avhen  it  was 
expected  the  census  would  be  completed ;  and  the  two  houses 
consequently  adjourned  on  the  13th  of  January  to  the  3d  of 
August,  1840,  having  been  in  session  forty-three  days. 

But  little  of  public  interest  transpired  at  this  session.  Two 
subjects  occupied  most  of  the  attention  of  the  members.  One 
was  the  condition  of  the  Capitol,  and  the  conduct  of  the  com- 
missioners intrusted  Avith  the  money  appropriated  by  Congress 
to  defray  the  cost  of  its  construction ;  the  other,  the  Milwaukee 
and  Rock  River  Canal,  and  the  claims  of  settlers  upon  the  lands 
granted  to  aid  in  its  construction. 

The  hisloiy  of  the  early  measures  taken  to  secure  the  erection 
of  a  building  in  which  to  hold  the  sessions  of  the  Territorial 
legislature  is  a  history  of  speculation  with  the  appropriations 

210 


220 


n  I  STORY  OF  WISCONSm. 


made  for  that  purpose,  as  disgraceful  to  tlioso  concerned  in  it 
as  it  was  destructive  of  tiio  manifest  intentions  of  Congress. 
It  is  not  necessary  to  enter  into  particulars  in  reference  to  this 
matter  :  all  steps  were  taken  which  could  be  to  recover  by  law 
from  the  first  board  of  commissioners,  and  from  the  contractor, 
the  funds  which  they  had  misapplied  ;  and,  after  several  years 
of  litigation,  the  suits  wero  settled  by  authority  of  a  subse- 
quent legislature. 

The  grant  of  lands  by  Congress  to  aid  in  the  construction 
of  the  Milwaukee  and  Rock  River  Canal  was  of  the  odd 
numbered  sections  on  a  belt  of  ten  miles  in  width  from  Lake 
Michigan  to  Rock  River,  which  amounted  to  139,190  acres. 
The  commissioners  reported  to  the  legislative  assembly  at  this 
session,  that  they  had  sold  43,447  acres  at  two  dollars  and  a 
half  per  acre,  amounting  to  $108,G1G,  for  which  they  had 
received  in  cash  $12,277 ;  and  the  remainder  was  payable  in 
five,  six,  seven,  and  eight  years,  with  seven  per  cent  interest. 
There  was  also  remaining  unsold  95,743  acres,  the  proceeds  of 
which,  it  was  estimated,  might  amount  to  four  or  five  hundred 
thousand  dollars. 

The  act  making  the  grant  provided  that  the  alternate  sec- 
tions should  not  be  sold  less  than  two  dollars  and  a  half  per 
acre,  nor  be  subject  to  pre-emption.  This  was  regarded  by 
the  settlers  upon  them  as  a  great  hardship  ;  and  they  presented 
their  complahits  to  the  legislative  assembly,  who  mcmoralized 
Congress  to  grant  a  pre-emption  right  to  all  who  had  settled  on 
these  alternate  sections,  previous  to  the  grant,  at  a  dollar  and  a 
quarter  per  acre. 

The  question  of  the  southern  boundary  of  the  future  State 
of  Wisconsin  was  one  Avhich  had  occupied  the  thoughts  of 
many,  who  felt  an  interest  in  its  prosperity,  at  a  period  as 
early  as  the  "  Toledo  war,"  which  originated  in  the  same  ques- 
tion, and  grew  out  of  the  rights  of  boundary  secured  to  the 
States  of  Michigan  and  Wisconsin  by  the  ordinance  of  1787, 
which  was  older  than,  and  was  claimed  to  be  paramount  to,  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States.  The  right  of  the  State  of 
Wisconsin,  when  it  should  be  admitted  into  the  Union,  to  em- 
brace all  of  the  territory  north  of  a  line  running  west  from  the 
southern  bend  of  Lake  Michigan,  was  believed  to  bo  inviolable, 


BISTORT  or  WISCONSIN. 


221 


1840. 


and  that  tho  act  of  Congress,  udmitting  Illinois  into  tliQ  Union, 
80  far  as  it  violated  that  right,  was  a  usurpation  of  power,  and 
a  nullity.  This  belt  of  territory  cmbraeeil  the  entire  valley  of 
Rock  lliver,  and  the  cities  of  Chicago  and  Galena.  A  joint 
resolution  was  passed,  taking  preliminary  measures  for  ascertain- 
ing by  vote  the  scntimenti  of  the  people  upon  the  disputed 
territory,  in  relation  to  which  State  they  preferred  to  give  their 
allegiance  ;  but  the  question  did  not  elicit  such  interest  as  to 
call  out  a  general  expression  of  opinion  ;  and  no  prac- 
tical results  were  effected.  At  an  adjourned  session, 
commenced  on  the  3d  of  August,  1840,  but  little  business  was 
transacted.  James  Collins  was  elected  i«esidcnt  of  the  coun- 
cil, and  Edward  V.  Whiton  tpeaker  of  the  assembly. 

A  new  apportionment  of  nicmbers  of  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives was  made,  and  but  little  business  transacted.  The 
session  lasted  but  twelve  days;  and  only  thirteen  acts  were 
passed,  generally  in  relation  to  the  organization  or  boundaries 
of  towns  or  counties,  or  the  holding  of  courts,  and  a  few  of  a 
private  nature. 

Tho  census  showed  a  population  of  S0,744  against  18,130 
two  years  previously.  Some  changes  Avcrc  made  in  the  appor- 
tionment of  members  of  the  houie  of  representatives.  Tho 
counties  of  Brown,  Iowa,  and  Grant,  each  lost  a  member ;  while 
Rock  and  Walworth  and  the  Dane  districts  gained. 

At  the  term  of  the  Territorial  Supreme  Court  for  1 840,  the 
common  law  rules  of  practice  for  all  the  district  courts  were 
adopted.  These  rules  were  uniform  throughout  the  Territory, 
and  were  acceptable  to  the  profession.  The  same  rules,  more 
in  detail,  were  adopted  as  the  rules  of  the  Federal  Comt.  The 
Constitution  of  the  United  States  recognized  the  distinction 
between  law  and  equity;  and  the  Territorial  courts  enforced 
it,  independently  of  the  provision  of  the  organic  law.  These 
courts  piu-sued  equity  and  common  law  practice  with  techni- 
cality, but  with  liberality  as  to  amendments.  ^lany  valuable 
precedents  and  principles  of  law  were  established  by  the  Terri- 
torial Supreme  Court. 

The  first  session  of  the  third  legislative  assembly  commenced 
Dec.  7,  1840,  and  was  adjourned  on  the  19th  of  February,  1841, 
Laving  continued  seventy-five  days,  the  maximum  time  limited 


"1 


222 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


1841. 


by  the  (H'f,'iuiic  ait.  James  Maxwell  was  jiresident  of  the  eouu- 
cil,  ami  David  Mewlaiid  si)eaker  of  the  house.  Tlio  lueiubers 
of  tho  latter  body  had  been  roeently  elected  under  a  now 
upportionnient,  and  were  nil  new  members,  with  three  excep- 
tions. 

The  extreme  length  of  this  session  was  owing,  in  a  great 
degree,  to  a  very  interesting  contested  election-case  between 
Messrs.  IJruee  and  Ellis  from  Brown  County,  which  elicit  d 
very  considerable  feeling.  Each  of  the  contestants  had  em- 
ployed counsel ;  and,  by  resolutions  of  the  assendjly,  the  attorney 
for  each  contestant  constituted  a  joint  travelling  connnission,  to 
take  the  testimony  of  all  the  witnesses  whicli  either  party  might 
desire.  The  commission  travelled  over  the  district  embracing 
Sheboygan,  Manitowoc,  Oconto,  Portage,  and  the  Wisconsin 
Pinery,  and  necessarily  consumed  much  time ;  so  that  a  fmal 
result  was  not  reached  until  the  last  of  January,  1841,  oidy 
nineteen  days  before  tho  adjournment.  The  most 
important  (iuesti<ui  involved  in  the  contest  was  the 
right  of  the  nrothertown  Indians  to  the  elective  franchise. 
The  decision  was  in  favor  of  the  right,  which  has  never  since 
been  questioned. 

Most  of  the  session  was  devoted  to  the  ordinary  routine  of 
legislation.  Tlierc  was,  however,  a  departure,  in  the  passage 
of  two  acts  granting  divorces,  —  a  species  of  legislation  which 
had  been  tabemed  ever  since  the  Durlington  session,  and  whicli 
was  indulged  in  now  expressly  as  exceptionable. 

The  ]»a,ik  oT  Mineral  Point,  having  gone  into  operation  with 
no  capital  except  its  charter  and  the  financial  ability  of  its 
cashier,  had  managed  to  throw  upon  the  community  a  circula- 
tion of  about  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  was  regarded 
by  many  with  great  distrust.  The  governor,  in  his  Annual 
Message,  directed  the  attention  of  the  legislature  to  it,  and 
recommended  measures  to  avert  the  threatened  danger.  It  was 
of  no  avail.  A  bill  was  introduced  by  Mr.  Whiton,  designed  to 
protect  the  people.  But  the  money-power  of  the  bank  was 
omnipotent.  The  bill  was  defeated  ;  and,  within  six  months,  the 
bank  failed,  with  liabilities  to  the  amount  of  a  quarter  of  a 
million  of  dollars,  none  of  which  have  ever  been,  or  ever  will 
be,  redeemed. 


224 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


The  interest  of  the  Milwaukee  and  Rock  River  Canal  of 
course  demanded  attention.  The  former  legislation  had  author- 
ized the  issue  of  Territorial  bonds  for  fifty  thousand  dollars, 
at  six  per  cent  interest,  and  had  required  them  to  be  sold  at 
par,  and  the  proceeds  deposited  in  the  city  of  New  York.  It 
was  found  impossible  to  negotiate  them ;  and  the  rate  of  interest 
was  increased  to  seven  per  cent,  and  the  deposit  of  the  proceeds 
authorized  in  any  sound  specie-paying  bank  which  should  be 
selected  by  the  commissioners  and  the  governor.  The  amount, 
also,  was  increased  to  one  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

No  material  improvement  had  been  made  up  to  the  com- 
mencement of  this  session,  in  the  conveniences  and  comforts 
which  the  Cai^itol  building  presented  to  the  members ;  and  a 
large  majority  were  ready  to  remove  the  seat  of  government  to 
some  other  place  ;  and  nothing  but  the  inability  of  the  majority 
to  a^ijree  upon  that  other  place  prevented  its  removal.  The 
prospect  of  obtaining  from  the  old  commissioners  any  part  of 
the  funds  they  had  received  and  retained,  appearing  hopeless, 
the  legi^lative  assembly  authorized  the  issue  of  seven  thousand 
dollars  '''"crritorial  bonds  for  the  purpose  of  completing  the  Capi- 
tol. Wiih  this  fund  as  a  basis,  Daniel  Baxter  undertook  the 
work,  and  was,  in  a  great  measure,  successful,  not  without  a  con- 
tingent claim,  which  at  every  subsequent  session  has  served  to 
impress  upon  the  members  investigating  the  "  Baxter  Claim," 
some  of  the  events  of  Territorial  legislation,  Mr.  Baxter  died 
some  years  since  ;  and  his  family  still  think  they  have  a  valid 
claim  against  the  State,  which  is  unsettled. 

In  the  interim  between  this  session  and  the  next.  Gen.  Ilar- 
risrn,  the  President  of  the  United  States,  had  died,  and  John 
Tyler  had  been  inaugui'ated  as  his  successor.  One  of  the  early 
acts  of  the  new  President  was  the  removal  of  Gov.  Henry 
Dodge,  and  tlie  appointment  of  Judge  James  Duane  Doty 
(Sept.  30,  1841),  and  Augustus  P.  Field  as  secretary  of  the 
Territory.  Most  unfortunately  for  the  Territory,  Gov.  Doty 
entertained  ideas  in  relation  to  the  relative  riglits  and  powers 
of  Congress  and  the  Territorial  legislature  wliich  tended,  for  all 
useful  purposes,  to  destroy  the  powers  of  the  legislative  as- 
sembly. 

He  boldly  avowed,  in  his  message  aud  elsewhere,  that  no 


!l'»l 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


225 


law  of  the  Territory  was  effective,  until  expressly  approved  by 
Congress ;  thus  giving  to  Congress  directly  the  power  of  legislat- 
ing for  the  Territory ;  while  the  organic  act  provided  that  "  the 
legislative  power  should  be  vested  in  the  governor  and  legislar 
tive  assembly,  but  that  the  laws  should  be  submitted  to,  and,  if 
disapproved  by  Congress,  should  be  null,  and  of  no  effect."  Act- 
ing upon  this  theory  of  the  invalidity  of  Territorial  laws.  Gov. 
Doty  disregarded  such  as  conflicted  with  his  supposed  interests 
or  his  •wishes ;  the  result  of  which  \va8  a  continued  warfare  be- 
tween the  governor  and  the  legislative  assembly. 

During  this  interim,  there  also  arose  a  serious  feud  between 
the  loan-agent  appointed  by  the  governor  to  negotiate  the  loiui 
of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Milwau- 
kee and  Rock  River  Canal,  and  the  canal  commissioners.  The 
agent  reported  that  he  had  negotiated  fifty-six  thousand  dollars 
of  the  bonds ;  but  he  did  not  report  that  the  money  to  be  re- 
ceived for  them  was  the  notes  of  "  sound  specie-paying  banks." 
The  commissioners  claimed  that  it  was  their  right  and  duty  not 
to  recognize  any  loan  made  for  currency  of  which  they  disap- 
proved. The  loan-agent  denied  that  the  commissioners  had 
any  such  rights  or  duties,  and  claimed  that  he  was  the  sole 
judge  of  the  kind  of  money  which  should  be  received  in  ex- 
change for  the  bonds. 

Whatever  were  the  merits  of  the  dispute,  the  effect  was  to 
defeat  the  loan,  and,  as  a  further  consequence,  to  stop  all  further 
work  on  the  canal. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


THE  TERRITORIAL  GOVERNMENT. 


Gov.  Doty's  Conflicts  with  the  Legislature  —  The  Canal  Company  Tragedy  in  the 
Council  Chamber  —  Hot  Debate  —  One  Member  shoota  Another — Population 
— New  Apportionment  — Bankruptcy  Laws,  &c. 

The  second  session  of  the  third  legisln+lve  assembly  convened 
on  the  6th  of  December,  1841,  and  adjourned  Feb.  19,  1842. 
James  Collins  was  elected  president  of  the  council,  and  David 
Newland  speaker  of  the  assembly.  About  the  only  matter 
of  public  interest,  except  the  quarrel  between  the  legislative 
assembly  and  the  governor,  was  the  disposition  of  the  various 
questions  growing  out  of  the  connection  between  the  Temtory 
and  the  canal  and  Canal  Company.  Congress  had  made  a  valu- 
able grant  of  lands  to  the  Territory  in  trust.  The  Territory  was 
the  trustee,  the  Canal  Company  the  cestui  que  trust.  The 
trust  had  been  accepted ;  and  a  large  portion  of  the  lands  h; 
been  sold,  one-tenth  of  the  purchase-money  received,  and  amil 
securities  held  for  the  balance.  Tlie  Territory  was  in  a  dilemma : 
it  could  not  go  forward,  and  had  no  ri  t  to  go  backward,  with- 
out the  consent  of  Congress  and  the  Canal  Company.  The 
result  was,  that  it  repealed  all  laws  authorizing  a  loan,  and  all 
which  contemplated  the  expenditure  of  any  money  by  the 
Territory  in  constructing  the  canal.  It  remitted  and  dis- 
charged to  the  purchasers  of  the  canal-lands  all  interest  on 
their  purchases,  which  had  or  might  become  due,  except  the 
small  sum  which  might  be  necessary  to  pay  interest  on  loans 
and  expenses,  not  exceeding  three  hundred  dollars,  but  >■  ok 
care  that  the  principal  of  the  securities  received  for  the  ,  .'!a  /? 
lands  should  remain  intact,  to  await  the  result  of  future  evt'-uj. 
The  legislative  assembly  also  declared,  by  join-  resolution,  that 
9iM 


niETORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


1842. 


all  connection  with  the  Canal  Company  ought  to  be  dissolved, 
and  the  work  of  the  canal  by  tlie  Territory  be  abandoned,  and 
that  the  Territory  ought  not  further  to  execute  tlie  trust ;  that 
Congress  be  requested  to  divert  the  grant  to  such  other  inter- 
nal improvements  as  should  be  designated  by  the  Territory, 
subject  to  the  approval  of  Congress ;  and  that,  if  Congress  should 
decline  to  make  this  diversion,  it  was  requested  to  take  back 
the  grant,  and  dispose  of  the  unsold  lands  as  other  public  lands 
are  sold. 

In  the  council  chamber,  on  the  11th  of  February,  a  scene 
occurred  which  caused  great  excitement  in  the  Ter- 
ritory, and  over  the  whole  country.  On  that  day 
Charles  C.  P.  Amdt,  a  member  from  Brown  County,  was  in- 
stantly shot  dead  by  James  R.  Vineyard,  a  member  from  Grant 
Coimty.  Fiom  the  testimony  before  the  coroner's  inquest,  the 
following  facts  in  relation  to  the  same  are  obtained.  The 
difficulty  jjrew  out  of  a  debate,  on  motion  to  lay  on  the  table 
the  nomitiation  of  E.  S.  Baker.  Mr.  Arndt  opposed  it,  be- 
cause the  gentleman  from  Grant  (referring  to  ^Ir.  Vineyard) 
had  given  the  highcL't  tcotiraonials  as  to  the  character  of  the 
nominee.  Upon  his  making  that  remark,  Mr.  Vineyard  turned 
partly  around  in  his  seat,  and  said  it  was  a  falsehood.  Some 
words  passed,  and  order  was  restored.  Soon  after,  a  motion  to 
adjourn  was  made,  and  a  division  had  thereon;  and  imme- 
diately after  the  members  had  arisen  in  the  negative,  before 
announcement  by  the  Chair,  most  of  the  members  and  by- 
standers arose,  as  Mr.  Arndt  had  passed  over  to  Mr.  Vineyard's 
desk.  Many  words,  in  a  high  key,  were  passed  between  the 
two  parties.  Mr.  Arndt  demanded  from  Mr.  Vineyard  an  ex- 
planation. The  parties  were  parted  by  the  bystanders,  when 
Mr.  Arndt  moved  about  eight  feet  towards  the  fireplace.  He 
stood  there,  and  Mr.  Vineyard  at  his  desk,  until  the  Chair  an- 
nounced an  adjournment ;  after  which,  ]\Ir.  Arndt  came  up  to 
Mr.  Vineyard's  desk,  when  the  former  asked  the  latter  if  he 
imputed  to  him  falsehood  in  his  remarks.  Mr.  Vineyard  replied, 
"  Yes,"  or,  that  they  were  false ;  on  hearing  which,  Mr.  Arndt 
struck  at  Mr.  Vineyard's  face  or  forehead,  the  parties  being 
about  three  feet  apart.  While  this  altercation  took  place,  Mr. 
Vineyard  levelled  a  pistol,  and  fired  at  Mr.  Arndt,  when  the 


m 


228 


n  I  STORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


latter  reeled  around,  and  moved  several  steps,  with  his  hands  on 
his  breast,  and  soon  fell  in  the  arms  of  Mr.  Derrinj?,  and  died 
in  a  few  minutes.  He  said  nothing,  and  did  not  appear  to  be  at 
all  conscious.  It  appears  from  the  evidence  that  Mr.  Vineyard 
was  defending  himself  against  the  assault,  although  by  means 
of  weapons  of  death,  which  the  occ£ision  by  no  means  de- 
manded. He  immediately  surrendered  himself  to  the  sheriff, 
waived  an  examination,  and  was  conmiitted  to  jail.  After  si 
short  confinement,  he  was  brought  before  the  chief  justice  of 
the  Territory,  on  habeas  corpug,  and  admitted  to  bail.  He  was 
afterwards  indicted  for  manslaughter,  and  was  tried,  and  ac- 
quitted. Immediately  after  the  homicide.  Vineyard  sent  his 
resignation  to  the  council ;  which  body  refused  to  receive  it,  or 
have  it  read,  and  immediately  expelled  him. 

After  a  few  days  sjient  with  heavy  hearts  in  the  mournful 
task  of  finishing  up  the  work,  in  much  of  which  the  two  mem- 
bers whose  seats  were  now  vacant  had  taken  a  part,  the  second 
and  last  session  of  the  third  legislative  assembly  adjourned  on 
the  18th  of  February,  1842,  to  give  place  to  new  members  in 
both  houses,  to  be  elected  under  a  new  apportionment,  to  be 
made  by  the  governor,  based  tipon  a  census  to  be  taken  the 
next  June  by  the  sheriffs  of  the  several  counties.  The  census 
of  this  year  showed  a  population  of  46,678,  —  an  increase  of 
9,934  since  1840. 

The  representation  in  both  houses  was  increased  in  Mil- 
watikee  and  the  central  counties,  Avhilo  it  was  correspondingly 
reduced  in  the  cotmties  of  Brown  and  Iowa.  In  most  of  the 
districts,  the  elections  Avere  conducted  on  political  issues ;  and 
the  result  showed  a  very  decided  Democratic  majority  in  each 
house.    The  governor  professeJ  to  belong  to  the  Whig  party. 

The  second  act  of  Congress  to  establish  a  uniform  system  of 
bankruptcy  throughout  the  United  States  was  approved  Aug. 
19,  1841,  and  took  effect  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  Febru- 
ary, 1842.  Jurisdiction  of  eases  in  bankruptcy  being,  by  the 
act,  conferred  upon  the  Supreme  or  Superior  Courts  of  the  Ter- 
ritories, the  Supreme  Court  of  this  Territory  discharged  three 
hundred  petitioners  out  of  three  htindred  and  fifteen.  A  ma- 
jority of  these  petitioners  had  failed  in  business  in  the  Eastern 
States,  in   conseqtience  of  inflation  of  the  currency,  and  of 


till 


230 


BISTORT  OF  WISCOXSIIf. 


speculation,  in  the  year  1836.  It  was  estimated  that  the  debts 
of  those  three  hundred  bankrupts  exceeded  two  millions  of  dol- 
lars. The  judges  were  empowered,  by  the  act,  to  form  the  rules 
of  their  court  in  bankruptcy,  and  to  establish  the  fee-bill,  under 
the  fee-bill  of  the  Supreme  Court.  The  fees  in  cases  did  :;ot 
avvage  twenty  dollars.  The  act  was  repealed  on  liie  3d  of 
Maich,  1843,  having  been  in  operation  thirteen  months. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


THE  TERBITOEIAL  GOVERSTMENT. 


War  between  the  Governor  and  the  Legislature  — The  Governor  prevents  the 
Session  of  the  Legislature,  by  refusinji  to  co-operate  —  A  Joint  Itesolution  Is 
passed,  praying  tlie  I'rcsiilent  to  remove  tlie  Governor  —  The  Session  of  Vetos 

—  Lively  Conflicts  —  Interesting  Ileniinisceuces  —  Second  Session  —  A  State 
Government  desired  —  The  Governor's  Ortliograpliy  —  The  Debt  —  The  Fii-st 
Tax  —  Govs.  Talmadge  and  Dewey  —  Henry  Dodge  again  appointed  Governor 

—  Provisions  for  forming  a  State  Government. 

The  first  session  of  the  fourth  legislative  assembly  organ- 
ized on  the  fifth  day  of  December,  1842,  by  the  election  of 
Moses  ]M.  Strong  as  president  of  the  council,  and  J.  V.  Inger- 
soll  secretary,  and  Albert  G.  Ellis,  speaker  of  the  house  of 
representatives,  and  John  Catlin  clerk.  The  convening  of 
this  legislative  assembly  exhibited  a  contest  between  the  gov- 
ernor, on  tlie  one  hand,  and  the  two  houses  on  the  other,  which 
threatened  to  result  in  anarchy,  and  the  disruption  (tempo- 
rarily at  least)  of  the  Territorial  Government.  The  law  of  the 
Territory  required  tliat  the  annual  session  of  the  legislative 
assembly  should  commence  on  the  first  Monday  of  December. 
On  that  day  the  members  elect  convened  at  the  Capitol,  and, 
after  organization,  Avaited  upon  the  governor,  by  a  joint  commit- 
tee, in  the  customary  way.  He  was  informed  that  the  two  houses 
•were  organized,  and  ready  to  receive  any  communication  he  had 
to  make.  The  governor  replied,  that,  "  not  conceivii:g  ihat  the 
legislative  assembly  had  authority  by  law  to  meet  at  the  pres- 
ent time,  he  had  no  communication  to  make  to  them."  The 
subject  was  referred  to  a  joint  select  committee  of  three  mem- 
bers of  each  house,  of  which  Hans  Crocker  was  chairman,  and 
of  which  Morgan  L.  Martin,  M.  C.  Darling,  and  others,  were 
members,  wlio  made  an  elaborate  report,  showing  that  the  pre- 

231 


232 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


tence  of  the  governor  for  refusing  to  co-operate  with  the  legis- 
lative assembly  was,  that  no  appropriation  had  been  made  by 
Congress  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  session,  and,  conse- 
quently, no  session  could  be  held.  An  appropriation  had  been 
made  May  18,  1842,  which  the  governor  claimed  was  only  ap- 
plicable to  the  expenses  of  the  past  session,  but  which  the  com- 
mittee demonstrated  was  applicable  to  the  expenses  of  this 
session,  and  that  there  was  no  valid  reason  why  a  session  could 
not  lawfully  be  held  at  that  time.  Many  members,  among  them 
the  late  Chief-Justice  Whiton,  were  in  favor  of  proceeding  with 
the  work  of  legislation,  and  throwing  upon  the  governor  the 
responsibility  of  defeating  it;  but  it  was  finally  decided  to 
make  a  representation  to  Congress,  then  in  session,  of  the  ob- 
jections of  the  governor,  and  to  adjourn  a  few  weeks,  thinking, 
that  perhaps  another  appropriation  would  be  made,  and  thus 
all  objections  to  the  session  be  removed. 

A  memorial  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  praying 
for  the  removal  of  the  governor,  was  adopted  by  the  unanimous 
vote  of  the  council,  and  with  only  a  few  dissenting  votes  in  the 
house.  Whigs  joined  with  Democrats  in  this  emphatic  con- 
demnation of  the  factious  course  which  he  had  adopted.  The 
two  houses  then  adjourned  on  the  10th  of  December  to  the 
30th  of  January,  1843. 

On  the  24th  of  December,  1842,  Congress  made  another 
appropriation  for  the  expenses  of  the  legislative  assembly, 
which,  it  was  supposed,  woidd  remove  all  conflict  about  the 
legality  of  the  session.  Both  houses  met  at  the  day  appointed ; 
but  there  was  no  quorum  in  the  council  until  the  4th 
of  February.  On  the  30th  of  January,  the  governor 
issued  a  proclamation,  convening  a  special  session  on  the  6th  of 
March. 

On  the  4th  of  February  the  two  houses  again  waited  on  the 
governor,  through  a  joint  committee ;  and  he  again  informed 
the  committee  that  he  had  no  communication  to  make,  except 
a  copy  of  his  proclamation. 

Mr.  Whiton,  the  late  chief  justice,  offered  a  resolution,  "  that 
the  legislative  assembly  will  now  proceed  to  discharge  its 
duties,  without  regard  to  any  course  that  has  been  or  may  be 
pursued  by  the  governor."    This  was  lost  by  a  tie  vote.    Reso- 


1843. 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSm. 


988 


lutions  were  then  adopted,  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  coun- 
cil and  a  large  majority  of  the  house,  declaring,  among  other 
things,  that  the  only  excuse  for  the  conduct  of  the  governor 
could  be  found  "  in  his  determination  to  prevent  all  legislation, 
and  sacrifice,  for  his  own  private  purposes,  the  welfare  of  the 
Territory,"  and  that  his  conduct  was  "  another  evidence  of  his 
violation  of  law,  and  utter  disregard  of  the  duties  of  his  station, 
and  of  the  wishes  and  interests  of  the  people."  And  then,  by  a 
divided  vote  in  each  house,  the  legislative  assembly  adjourned 
until  the  6th  of  March.  On  the  6th  of  March  both  houses  met, 
and  sent  the  usual  committee  to  wait  on  the  governor ;  and, 
on  the  same  day,  he  delivered  his  message,  which  was  referred 
to  the  appropriate  committees,  and  harmony  was  apparently 
restored  between  the  governor  and  the  two  houses.  But  the 
harmony  was  oidy  in  appearance,  and  the  conflict  was  again 
renewed.  After  the  session  had  continued  several  days,  and  a 
printed  copy  of  the  journal  of  each  house  had  been  daily  fur- 
nished the  governor,  he  took  exceptions  to  the  journal  of  the 
first  day,  which  did  nut  state  that  the  two  houses  had  met  in 
pursuance  of  his  proclamation  ;  while  the  journal  of  the  council 
stated  that  the  meeting  was  in  pursuance  of  adjournment. 
Finally,  on  the  18th  of  March,  both  houses  passed  a  joint  reso- 
lution, declaring  that  they  were  holding  "  the  special  session 
appointed  by  the  proclamation  of  the  governor."  Thus  ended 
this  conflict,  which  was  only  renewed  in  the  legitimate  form  of 
veto  messages,  which  were  sent  to  each  house  in  the  utmost 
profusion  ;  Congress  having  amended  the  organic  act  changing 
the  executive  veto  from  an  absolute  to  a  qualified  one.  Only 
fifty-four  acts  were  passed ;  and,  of  these,  six  were  passed  by  a 
vote  of  two-thirds,  notwithstanding  the  governor's  veto.  The 
session  was  a  long  and  an  acrimonious  one;  and,  wherever 
impartial  history  shall  affix  the  blame,  it  cannot  record  a  large 
amount  of  good  accomplished. 

The  second  session  of  the  fourth  legislative  assembly  com- 
menced on  the  4th  of  December,  1843,  and  terminated  the 
31st  of  January,  1844,  having  occupied  a  period  of  fifty-nine 
days.  Of  the  council,  Marshall  M.  Strong  was  chosen  presi- 
dent, and  B.  C.  Eastman  secretary;  and,  of  the  house,'George 
H.  Walker  was  chosen  speaker,  and  John  Catlin  clerk. 


284 


nrsTosr  of  Wisconsin. 


1844. 


The  most  important  act  of  this  session  was  the  one  which  ex- 
tended to  persons  of  foreign  birth  a  right,  in  common 
with  all  others,  after  a  residence  of  three  months,  to 
vote  upon  the  question  of  forming  a  State  government,  and  for 
the  election  of  delegates  to  a  convention  to  form  a  State  consti- 
tution. This  question  had  excited  much  interest  among  the 
people,  and  produced  an  animated  conflict  of  opinion  among 
their  representatives ;  which  resulted  in  the  adoption  of  the 
measure  by  a  decided  majority,  composed,  chiefly,  of  the  Demo- 
cratic members.  It  was  the  germ  of  that  provision  of  our  Con- 
stitution which  has  given  a  similar  extension  to  the  right  of 
suffrage  in  this  State. 

At  tliis  session  was  also  submitted  the  question  of  the  forma- 
tion of  a  State  government,  by  authorizing  a  vote  to  be  taken 
at  the  general  election  in  September,  and  the  returns  to  be 
made,  through  the  secretary,  at  the  next  session  of  the  legisla- 
tive assembly. 

Questions  connected  with  the  Milwaukee  and  Rock  River 
Canal,  of  course,  occupied  much  attention ;  and  the  members 
spent  much  time  upon  matters  pertaining  to  the  general  i^ublic 
laws  of  the  Territory. 

Of  this  session  of  the  legislature,  a  Milwaulceo  paper  re- 
marks, "  About  sixty  acts  and  memorials  to  Congress,  of  a  gen- 
eral and  private  nature,  were  passed,  many  of  which,  we  believe, 
will  prove  very  beneficial  to  the  Territory.  It  is  to  be  regretted 
that  the  public  debt  could  not  have  been  ascertained,  and  some 
provision  made  for  its  prompt  payment.  The  legislature  la- 
bored faithfully,  during  the  greater  part  of  the  session,  to  ascer- 
tain the  financial  condition  of  the  Territory ;  but  owing  to  the 
absence  of  the  secretary,  and  the  loose  manner  in  which  the  ac- 
counts have  been  kept  by  the  secretaries,  no  definite  result  was 
arrived  at.  During  the  session,  the  auditor  and  treasurer  were 
required  to  report,  at  the  succeeding  session,  the  amount  and 
nature  of  the  debts  against  the  Ten-itory.  This  report  was  with- 
held till  within  a  few  days  of  the  close  of  the  session." 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  the  dignified  attention  of  the 
members  to  their  ordinary  duties  was  not  occasionally  relieved 
by  some  displays  of  wit,  and  exhibitions  of  mirth.  As  an  illus- 
tration, the  following  incident  is  mentioned :   A  self-important, 


230 


iJisTOJtr  or  WISCONSIN. 


bombastic  member,  from  one  of  the  western  counties,  had  intro- 
duced into  tlio  house  of  representatives  a  memorial  to  the  sec- 
retary of  the  treasury,  for  tlio  purpose  of  correcting  some  abuses 
which  were  complained  of  in  the  manner  in  which  the  United 
States  marshal  disbursed,  or  failed  to  disburse,  the  public  mon- 
eys provided  for  paying  expenses  of  the  courts.  The  language 
of  the  memorial  was  mere  fustian  and  rhodomc  itade,  and  con- 
tained, among  other  thhigs,  the  expression,  that,  during  a  cer- 
tain i^eriod  of  time,  the  marshal  had  not  paid  out  *'  one  solitary 
cent."  It  was  alloAvcd  to  pass  the  house  as  an  act  of  courtesy 
to  the  member  who  introduced  it.  When  it  came  before  the 
council.  Col.  Crocker  moved  to  amend,  by  inserting  between 
the  words  "  solitary  "  and  "  cent  "  the  word  "  red,"  f  to  read, 
"  one  solitary  red  cent."     The  amendment  was  .adc  \nd  the 

memorial  returned  to  the  house  with  the  amcni..  ..  The 
house  refused  to  concur,  and  the  council  refused  to  recede  ;  and 
the  bombastic  memorial  was  lost. 

The  time  for  the  annual  meeting  of  the  legislative  assembly 
liaving  been  changed  from  December  to  the  first  Monday  in 
January,  the  next  session  commenced  on  the  6th  of 
January,  1845,  and  adjourned  on  the  24th  of  Febru- 
ary, —  a  session  of  fifty  days. 

Of  this  session,  Moses  M.  Strong  was  president  of  the  coun- 
cil, and  George  II.  Walker  speaker  of  the  assembly.  A  new 
election  for  members  of  the  house  of  representatives  had  been 
held,  which  resulted  in  a  very  general  change ;  only  three  of 
the  former  members  having  been  re-elected.  lu  some  districts, 
especially  in  Grant  County,  the  repeal  of  the  law  of  last  session, 
in  relation  to  the  qualifications  of  voters  on  the  question  of  State 
government,  had  made  an  issue  in  the  election.  A  bill  was 
introduced  to  repeal  the  law  ■without  qualification ;  but,  on  a 
test-vote,  the  friends  of  the  law  were  found  to  be  in  a  majority, 
and  amended  the  repealing  bill  by  extending  the  period  of  resi- 
dence from  three  to  six  months,  and  requiring  a  declaration  of 
intention.  The  bill,  in  this  form,  passed  both  houses;  and, 
under  its  provisions,  the  vote  was  ultimately  taken. 

A  bill  passed  the  council  to  again  submit  to  the  people  the 
question  of  forming  a  State  government ;  but  it  was  defeated  in 
the  house  of  representatives,  and  the  only  measui'e  adopted 


1846. 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


287 


tbis  session,  upon  tliut  subject,  was  a  joint  resolution  reciuesting 
our  delegate  in  Congress  to  ask  for  an  appropriation  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  taking  ii  census,  and  of  holding  a  convention  to 
totta  a  State  government. 

Gov.  Doty  had  persisted  in  spelling  Wisconsin  with  a  "  k " 
and  nn  "a"  (Wis-fcn-san),  and  some  of  the  newspapers  and 
his  admirers  imitated  his  example  ;  so  that  the  legislative  assem- 
bly thought  it  a  matter  of  sufficient  importance  to  pass  a  joint 
resolution,  declarinct  that  the  orthography  siiould  bo  that 
adopted  in  the  organic  act,  which  has  over  since  ujiiversally 
prevailed. 

A  Territorial  indebtedness,  from  various  causes,  had  grown  up 
during  the  eight  years  of  the  Territoi  ,it  government,  which  was 
estimated  to  amount  to  about  fifty  thousand  dollars.  No  means 
had  been  provided  for  its  payment ;  and  at  this  session  a  Territo- 
rial tax  was  for  the  first  time  levied.  The  tax  was  only  a 
mill  and  a  half  on  the  dollar.  The  assessment  was  very  low ; 
lands  being  assessed  at  about  two  dollars  per  acre,  excluding  all 
improvements.  The  object  of  exclusion  was  to  assess  the  unim- 
proved lands  of  speculators  as  high  as  the  improved  lands  of  the 
actual  settlers. 

At  this  session,  the  unsold  lands  granted  to  aid  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  Milwaukee  and  Rock  River  Canal  were  author- 
ized to  be  sold,  —  a  measure  adopted  chielly  to  enable  those 
who  had  settled  upon  them,  and  who  desired  to  do  so,  to  secure 
titles.  The  effect  of  this  was,  as  was  anticipated,  that  those 
portions  of  Milwaukee,  Waukesh.i,  and  Jefferson  Counties 
covered  by  the  canal-grant,  were  rapidly  occupied  by  an  indus- 
trious and  wealth-producing  population.  Before  the  meeting  of 
this  session.  Gov.  Doty  had  been  superseded  by  Gov.  N.  P. 
Tallmadge  (appointed  June  21,  1844),  between  whom  and  the 
legislative  assembly  the  utmost  harmony  prevailed;  and  the 
session  was  short,  pleasant,  and  not  without  some  beneficial 
results. 

James  K.  Polk  was  inaugurated  President  March  4,  1845. 
He   removed    Gov.    Tallmadge,    and,    on   the    8th    of   April, 
re-appointed  Gov.  Henry  Dodge,  under  whose  admin-     ^aAf^ 
istration  the  fourth  and  last  session   of  the  fourth 
legislative  assembly  convened  on  the  5th  of  January,  1846. 


238 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Nelson  Dewey  was  elected  president  of  the  coiaicil,  B.  C. 
Eastman  secretary,  Mason  C.  Darling  speaker  of  tho  assem- 
bly, and  Lafayette  Kellogg  clerk.  This  session  lasted  but 
thirty  daj^s,  having  adjourned  on  the  3d  of  February ;  but,  by 
taking  the  preliminary  steps  for  the  formation  of  a  State  gov- 
ernment, it  was  the  most  important  session  ever  held.  An  act 
was  passed,  not  without  some  opposition,  providing,  "  that,  on 
the  first  Tuesday  in  April  next,  every  white  male  inhabitant 
above  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  who  shall  have  resided  in 
the  Territory  for  six  months  previous  thereto,  and  who  shall 
either  be  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  or  who  shall  have  filed 
his  declaration,  &c.,  .  .  .  shall  be  authorized  to  vote  for  or 
against  the  formation  of  a  State  government."  The  act  pro- 
vided for  taking  a  census,  and,  in  the  event  of  a  vote  in  favor 
of  a  State  government,  for  an  apportionment  of  delegates  by  the 
governor,  on  the  basis  of  one  delegate  for  every  thirteen  hun- 
dred inhabitants,  and  for  every  fraction  exceeding  a  moiety  of 
that  number,  and  one  to  every  organized  countj\  The  governor 
was  to  issue  his  proclamation  annoimcing  the  apportionment, 
and  calling  an  election  at  the  time  fixed  for  the  next  annual 
election,  Avhich,  by  an  act,  Avas  changed  from  the  fourth  to  the 
first  Monday  in  September.  The  delegates  were  to  assemble  in 
convention  on  the  first  Monday  in  October,  and  to  have  full 
power  and  authority  to  form  a  republican  constitution  for  the 
State  of  Wisconsin,  to  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people 
before  it  should  become  effective. 

Numerous  interesting  questions  arose  during  the  progress  of 
the  bill,  among  which  was  a  proposition  by  Mr.  Whiton,  in  the 
council,  to  give  colored  persons  the  same  right  to  vote  as  white 
persons ;  which  was  laid  upon  the  table  by  a  vote  of  seven  to 
six.  In  the  house,  a  motion  was  made  to  strike  out  the  word 
"white;"  but  it  was  defeated,  —  ayes  ten,  noes  sixteen.  This 
was  almost  thirty  years  ago,  before  the  negro-question  had 
been  much  agitated. 

With  the  close  of  this  political  year,  the  terms  of  members  of 
the  council  who  had  been  elected  for  four  years,  and  of  the 
house  for  two  years,  closed  also.  The  legislative  assembly, 
therefore,  re-organized  the  election  districts,  and  conferred  on 
the  governor  the  power  and  duty  of  making  an  apportionment 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


239 


based  upon  the  census  which  it  had  authorized  to  be  taken.  An 
act  was  passed,  repealing  unconditionally  the  chartei*  of  the 
Wisconsin  Marine  and  Fire  Insurance  Company,  granted  Feb. 
28,  1839.  Several  memorials  to  Congress  were  adopted,  among 
which  was  one  asking  for  an  appropriation  for  a  penitentiary. 

A  gloom  was  thrown  over  the  closing  days  of  this  session  by 
the  awful  news  that  the  dwelling-house  of  one  of  the  members, 
Marshall  M.  Strong  of  Racine,  had  been  consumed  by  fire,  and 
his  only  two  children  had  perished  in  the  flames. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


TERRITORIAL  GOVERNJIENT. 


Gov.  Dodfie'a  Serond  Administration  —  Indian  Trouliles  —  Vote  on  having  a 
State  —  Contrressional  Measures  enalilinf;  tlie  People  of  AVisconsin  to  form 
n  State  fiove-nment  —  First  Constitutional  Convention  —  Its  Work  rejected  by 
the  People. 

Ix  the  winter  of  1845-46,  ancT  while  the  legislature  was  in 
session,  a  rumor  that  an  Indian  war  hail  broken  out  came  with 
fearful  forebodings,  and  i^rodnced  great  excitement  at  the  Capi- 
tol. From  a  communication  sent  by  the  governor,  it  appeared 
that  the  citizens  of  Muscoda,  on  the  Wisconsin  River,  in  Grant 
County,  and  the  surrounding  country,  having  been  for  several 
months  annoyed  and  harassed  bj'  the  depredations  of  the  Win- 
nebago Indians,  were  forced  to  take  up  arms  for  their  protec- 
tion. On  the  1st  of  February,  1840,  a  skirmish  took  place 
between  the  Indians  and  the  citizens,  in  Mdiich  four  of  the  for- 
mer were  severely  if  not  mortally  wounded,  the  Indians  having 
first  fired  their  guns  without  doing  any  serious  injury. 

The  two  houses  of  the  legislature  held  an  evening  session  to 
receive  the  communication  of  the  governor,  and  to  devise  ways 
and  means  for  the  jDublic  defence.  The  militia-law,  wiiich  had 
been  abolislied,  was  re-enacted,  and  approved  by  "le  governor ; 
and  immediate  measures  were  taken  to  eh.astise  the  supposed 
marauders.  Subse([ucnt  information  showed  that  the  state- 
ments first  received  were  miu'ii  exaggerated.  Tlie  excitement 
soon  died  away,  and  no  more  troul)le  was  anticipated. 

On  a  vote  of  the  people,  taken  in  April,  1846,  there  was 
12,334  votes  for  State  government,  and  2,084  against  it.  The 
result  of  tlie  vote  taken  indicated  strongly  that  the  people  of 
the  Territory  desired  a  State  government ;  and,  until  this  was 
effected,  it  was  evident  that  the  people  could  not  have,  among 

210 


242 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


other  things,  a  good  system  of  common  schools.  When  the 
State  government  was  organized,  the  funds  accruing  fi-om  the 
sale  of  the  school-lands  could  be  received  from  the  General  Gov- 
ernment, and  the  income  of  this  fund  Le  applied  toward  main- 
taining schools,  and  not  before.  The  benefit  of  obtaining  and 
using  this  immense  fund  supplied  one  of  the  main  arguments  in 
favor  of  State  government. 

Agreeably  to  a  joint  resolution  of  the  legislative  assembly, 
Hon.  Morgan  L.  Martin,  delegate  to  Congress,  on  the  9th  of 
January,  184G,  in  the  house  of  representatives,  gave  notice  for 
leave  to  introduce  a  bill  to  enable  the  people  of  Wisconsin  to 
form  a  constitution  and  State  government,  and  for  the  admis- 
sion of  such  State  into  the  Union.  On  the  13th,  he  intro- 
duced such  bOl;  wliich  was  read  twice,  and  referred  to  the 
committee  on  territories.  On  the  11th  of  May,  S.  A.  Douglas, 
from  said  committee,  reported  an  amendatory  bill,  which  was 
committed.  On  the  8th  of  June,  the  bill  was  taken  up  in  the 
committee  of  the  whole,  when  an  exciting  debate  ensued. 
The  question  turned  on  whether  the  ordinance)  of  1787  was  or 
was  not  obligatory  on  Congress,  or  that  part  of  it  which 
restricted  the  number  of  States  to  be  formed  out  of  the  North- 
western Territory  to  five.  It  was  contended,  on  one  hand,  that 
it  did  bind  Congress,  because  Congress  had  accepted  the  cession 
from  Virginia  with  that  condition  in  it.  On  the  ether  hand,  it 
was  maintained  tliat  other  States  also  claimed  the  Territory,  and 
also  ceded  it,  and  in  their  deeds  of  cession  no  such  condition 
was  found  ;  tliat  Virginia  had  no  more  right  to  bind  the  United 
States  than  they  liad ;  that  it  was  doubtful  whether  the  Terri- 
tory belonged  to  Virginia  at  all,  or,  at  least,  whether  she  had  a 
better  title  to  it  than  the  other  States  which  claimed  it ;  and, 
finally,  that  whether  the  deed  of  cession  had  or  had  not  once 
been  binding,  it  was  superseded  and  virtually  annulled,  as  to 
the  restriction  of  new  States,  by  the  clause  in  the  Constitution 
which  allowed  Congress  to  admit  new  States  into  the  Union, 
without  any  restriction  as  to  number  or  size. 

After  the  addition  of  t\\  amendments,  the  bill  was  reported 
back  to  the  house  on  the  day  following  (June  9),  and  the 
amendments  adopted,  aii'l  (ho  bill  passed.  On  the  10th  of 
November,  Mr.  J.  A.  Rockwell  moved  to  reconsider  the  vote 


BISTORT  OF   WISCOffSIff. 


243 


passing  the  bill,  on  the  ground  that  the  bill  contained  provisions, 
and  gave  power  to  the  convention  of  Wisconsin,  of  which  the 
house  had  not  been  aware,  and  which,  when  understood,  it 
never  would  sanction ;  that  the  proviso  left  it  discretionary 
with  the  convention  to  fix  such  boundariies  on  the  north  and 
west  as  it  should  deem  expedient ;  and  that  the  phraseology 
was  loose,  and  the  terms  employed  ambiguous.  The  question 
was  discussed  by  M.  L.  Martin,  Mr.  Vinton,  Mr.  Douglas,  and  Mr. 
Dillingham.  The  house,  by  a  vote  of  a  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  ayes  to  foity-five  noes,  reconsidered  the  passage  of  the  bill, 
and  also  its  engrossment.  The  proviso  relative  to  boundaries 
was  stricken  out,  when  the  bill  was  ordered  to  be  engrossed,  and 
was  again  read  a  third  time,  and  was  passed,  and  was  sent  to 
the  senate  for  concurrence.  On  the  11th  of  June,  the  bill  was 
received  in  the  senate,  read  twice,  and  referred  to  the  commit- 
tee on  territories,  and  was  reported  back  on  the  14th  without 
amendment,  and  on  the  5th  of  August  passed  through  the 
committee  of  the  whole ;  ordered  to  a  third  reading ;  was  so 
read ;  and  the  bill  was  concurred  in. 

The  census  taken  in  June,  1846,  showed  a  population  of 
155,277  ;  excluding  Chippewa,  La  Pointe,  and  Richland  Coun- 
ties, from  which  there  were  no  returns. 

The  governor  issued  his  proclamation  for  the  election  of 
a  hundred  and  twenty-five  members  to  a  convention  to  form  a 
State  constitution.  The  estimate  of  population  jissumed  by 
the  legislative  assembly  for  fixing  a  basis  was  a  hundred  and 
seventeen  thousand ;  but  the  excess  exhibited  by  the  census 
over  this  estimate  resulted  in  a  more  numerous  body  than  had 
been  anticipated. 

The  convention  met  at  Madison  on  the  fifth  day  of  Octobei', 
1846.  D.  A.  J.  Upham  was  elected  president,  and  Lafayette 
Kellogg  secretary ;  and  after  forming  a  constitution,  and  adopt- 
ing it,  they  adjourned  on  the  IGth  of  December.  This  consti- 
tution was  submitted  to  popular  vote  on  the  first  Tuesday  of 
April,  1847,  and  was  rejected,  —  ayes  14,119,  noes  20,233. 
It  contained  several  new  features.  Those  which  were  made 
the  chief  points  of  attack  by  its  opponents  were  the  prohi- 
bition of  all  banks  and  the  circulation  of  small  bills,  the 
homestead  exemption,  the   woman's  rights  article,  and    the 


244 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


1847. 


elective  judiciary.  The  united  opposition  to  these  several 
features  was  sufficient  to  defeat  the  entire  constitution ; 
although  it  is  believed,  that,  if  tliey  had  been  separately  sub- 
mitted, all  would  have  been  adopted.  At  the  same  election, 
the  vote  on  negro  suffrage  was,  ayes  7,604,  noes  14,G15. 

The  first  session  of  the  fifth  legislative  assembly  met  on  the 
fourth  day  of  January,  1847,  of  which  Horatio  N.  Wells 
was  president  of  the  senate,  and  Thomas  McHugh 
secretary  ;  and  William  Shew  speaker  of  the  assem- 
bly ;  and  liafayette  Kellogg  clerk.  New  election  districts 
had  been  formed,  and  a  new  election  of  members  in  both 
branches  had  been  held  under  a  new  appointment.  The  result 
was,  that  both  houses  were  almost  entirely  composed  of  men 
without  legislative  experience.  In  tlio  council,  there  were  but 
three  members,  and  in  the  house  but  one,  who  had  ever  before 
held  a  seat  in  the  legislative  assembly.  Wisconsin  was  in  a 
transition  state.  A  convention  had  framed  a  constitution, 
which  was  then  before  the  people  for  their  consideration,  and 
was  about  to  pass  the  ordeal  of  their  suffrages.  It  was  wisely 
thought  that  but  little  legislation  was  expedient  under  the 
circumstances  ;  and  hence  but  little  was  attempted,  except  tem- 
iiorary  and  local  measures,  and  to  provide  for  the  holding  of 
J  uof her  convention  to  frame  a  new  constitution  in  the  contin- 
jfcncy  of  the  defeat  of  the  one  then  pending  before  the  j)eople. 
For  this  purpose,  a  bill  was  reported  in  the  council.  It  was 
opposed  in  both  houses,  chiefly  on  the  ground  that  its  passage 
would  tend  to  prejudice  the  pending  constitution.  The  bill 
was  passed  in  the  council  by  the  close  vote  of  seven  to  six,  and 
indefinitely  postponed  in  the  house  by  eighteen  to  eight. 
Quite  a  number  of  private  acts  were  passed,  among  which  were 
five  granting  divorces.  After  a  short  session,  the  legislative 
assembly  adjourned  on  the  11th  of  February,  1847. 

On  the  25th  of  January,  the  President  of  the  United  States 
sent  to  Congress  a  communication  received  from  the  president 
of  the  constitutional  convention,  informing  that  body  of  the  for- 
mation of  the  constitution  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin  by  the  con- 
vention which  had  finished  their  work  on  the  IGth  of  December, 
184(),  with  a  certified  copy  thereof;  which  was  referred  to  the 
committee  on  territories.    On  the  9th  of  February,  Mr.  Doug- 


n  I  STORY  Of  WISCONSIN. 


245 


las,  from  said  committee,  reported  a  bill  to  ^.c^n'^t  the  Terri- 
tory of  Wisconsin  into  the  Union  as  a  State ;  Avhich  was  read 
and  committed.  On  the  loth  of  February,  the  house,  in  com- 
mittee of  the  whole,  reportetl  the  bill  back  without  amend- 
ment ;  and  in  the  liouse  it  was  proposed  by  Mr.  Rockwell  to 
amend  by  adding  a  section  donating  to  the  new  State  the 
thirty-sixth  section  in  addition  to  the  sixteenth  section  of  all 
townships  for  school-purposes.  A  vote  was  tiiken  on  the 
IGth,  and  the  proposed  amendment  was  rejected,  —  aj'es  fifty- 
eight,  noes  eighty ;  after  which  the  bill  was  ordered  to  a 
third  readlii!?,  and  passed.  On  the  20th  of  February,  Senator 
Ashley,  from  the  committee  on  the  judiciary,  reported  back  the 
bill  without  amendment,  which,  after  going  through  the  ordi- 
nary routine  of  business,  was  concurred  in. 

On  the  27th  of  September,  1847,  the  governor  issued  his 
proclamation  convening  a  special  session  of  the  legislative 
assembly,  to  be  held  on  the  18th  of  October,  to  take  such  action 
in  relation  to  the  early  admission  of  Wisconsin  into  the  Union, 
and  adopt  such  other  measures,  as  in  their  wisdom  the  pub- 
lic good  might  require.  On  tlie  day  named  in  the  proclamation, 
the  two  houses  assembled,  and  were  immediately  organized.  A 
bare  majority  of  the  house  of  representatives  were  in  favor 
of  entering  upon  the  work  of  promiscuous  legislation ;  but  a 
large  majority  of  the  council  was  opposed  to  it,  and  tlie  work 
was  confined  to  the  passage  of  a  law  for  the  holding  of 
another  convention  to  frame  a  constitution,  and  fixing  a  time 
for  the  next  session  of  the  legislative  assembly.  The  special 
session  adjourned  on  the  27th  of  October,  1847,  after  nine  days' 
labor. 

The  act  in  relation  to  the  convention  provided  for  a  body  of 
sixty-nine  members,  which  were  apportioned  among  the  several 
counties.  It  differed  from  the  act  providing  for  the  first  con- 
vention, in  ignoring  representation  of  counties  as  such,  and 
basing  it  exclusively  on  population.  The  time  fixed  for  the 
election  of  delegates  was  the  last  Monday  in  November ;  and 
the  time  for  the  meeting  of  the  convention,  the  third  Wednes- 
day in  December,  1847. 

The  population  of  the  Territory  on  the  1st  of  December, 
1847,  excluding  St.  Croix  and  Chippewa,  from  which  no  reports 
were  received,  was  210,516. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


TERRITORIAL    GOVERXTMENT.  —  GOV.  DODGE  S  SECOND  ADSIIN- 

ISTRATIOX. 

The  Secoiid  Constitutional  Convention  —  Tlie  Supreme  and  other  Courts  —  Con- 
gressionui  Legislatioii  —  Tlie  AVorlj  of  the  Secoml  Constitutional  Convention 
ratified  liy  tlie  People  —  Wiscousin  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  Sovereign 
State  —  Statistics — Review. 

The  second  constitutional  convention  met  at  the  Capitol 
on  the  15th  of  December,  1847,  and  was  organized  by  the 
election  of  Morgan  L.  Martin  as  president,  and  Thomas 
McHugh  secretary,  and  conthmed  in  session  until  the  first  day 
of  February.  The  result  of  its  labors  was  the  constitution 
submitted  to  the  oople  on  tlie  second  Monday  of  ^March  ensu- 
ing (1848),  whicii,  has'ing  been  duly  ratified,  constitutes  the 
present  fundamental  law  of  the  State  ;  tlie  vote  being  16,667 
for  its  adoption,  and  6,252  against  it.  The  second  and  last 
session  of  the  fifth  legislative  assembly,  and  the  last  legislative 
assembly  of  the  Territory,  convened  Feb.  7,  1848,  of  which 
Horatio  N.  Wells  was  president  of  the  council,  and 
Timothy  Burns  speaker  of  tlie  house,  and  adjourned 
on  the  13th  of  March,  having  held  a  session  of  thirty-six  days. 

Immediately  after  the  adoption  of  the  second  constitution 
submitted  to  the  people,  so  great  was  the  demand  for  changes 
in  the  school  law,  tliat  the  first  State  legislature  enacted  laws 
which  carried  out,  in  a  certain  form,  the  provisions  of  the 
article  in  the  Constitution  on  education.  At  this  session,  three 
commissioners  were  appointed ;  viz.,  Hon.  M.  Frank,  Hon.  Charles 
S.  Jordan,  and  Hon.  A.  W.  Randall,  to  collate  and  revise  the 
statutes.  A.  W.  Randall  declining  to  act,  Charles  M.  Baker  was 
appointed  by  the  governor  in  his  stead.  Their  labors  were 
divided,  and  among  other  portions  assigned  to  Mr.  Frank  was 

246 


1848. 


248 


HISTORY  OF  n'iscoysfy. 


the  laws  relating  to  schools.  This  work  was  carefully  done ; 
but  several  features  were  in  direct  conflict  with  those  adopted 
at  the  previous  session  of  the  legislature. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  events  in  the  history  of  the 
State  was  the  adoption  of  the  free-school  system  by  the  people, 
and  the  readiness  with  which,  in  most  sections,  it  was  put  in 
operation.  The  principles  involved  in  this  system  had  been 
violently  and  persistently  opposed  in  others  States.  Col.  Frank 
8a5's,  that,  "  prior  to  the  acceptance  of  the  State  constitution, 
wherever,  in  the  suuth-eastern  part  of  the  State,  the  measure 
was  introduced  of  supporting  the  schools  by  taxation  on  the 
assessed  property  of  the  districts,  it  encountered  the  most 
determined  opposition ; "  but,  when  voted  upon,  scarcely  a 
prominent  voice  was  raised  against  it.  It  is  believed  that  the 
question  which  overshadowed  all  others  in  the  constitutional 
conventions  so  engaged  the  thoughts  of  the  people,  that  the 
free-school  provision  Avas  almost  lost  sight  of  in  the  heated  dis- 
cussion. The  reason  for  the  ready  acquiescence  is  more  obvious. 
The  people  had  become  somewhat  accustomed  to  paying  taxes 
,  in  the  counties  to  maintain  schools ;  the  income  of  the  magnifi- 
cent school-fund  could  lessen  very  materially  the  burdens  of  tax- 
ation ;  and  the  noble  utterances  of  Govs.  Dodge,  Doty,  Talmadge, 
and  Dewey,  in  their  annual  messages,  in  favor  of  the  broadest 
education  of  the  people,  had  prepared  them,  to  some  extent,  to 
accept  the  measure.  It  is  a  generally-received  opinion,  that 
the  school  system  of  Wisconsin  was  framed  after  that  of  the 
State  of  Xew  York.  This  is  a  mistake.  Our  statute  laws  were 
copied,  even  in  their  principal  headings,  their  arrangements, 
their  wordings  to  a  great  extent,  and,  of  course,  their  sub- 
stance, from  those  of  Michigan.  A  few  minor  provisions  were 
taken  from  the  New  York  statutes ;  such  as  those  creating  the 
office  of  town  superintendent  (now  abolished)  and  the  district 
library,  which  first  originated  in  that  State.  The  other  features 
differed  widely  from  those  of  the  New  York  system  in  many 
respects. 

The  last  term  of  the  Supreme  Court  adjourned  on  the  second 
day  of  August,  1847 ;  but  the  several  district  courts  continued 
in  operation  imtil  the  admission  of  Wisconsin  as  a  State  of  the 
Union,  which  occurred  March  29,  1848,  when  the  Territorial 
Government  was  merged  into  that  of  the  State. 


BISTOIiY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


249 


The  people  of  Wisconsin,  in  Territorial  times,  were  particu- 
larly fortunate  in  that  the  judges  who  administered  the  law 
were  educated,  intelligent,  learned  in  the  law,  of  undoubted 
integritj',  and  diligent  and  faithful  in  their  tru,«.ts.  They 
usually  prepared  their  opinions  the  same  week,  or  within  a  few 
days  after,  the  arguments ;  and  while,  in  some  instances,  they 
may  seem  meagre  and  unsatisfactory  to  the  profession,  yet  the 
judges  sought  to  arrive  at  correct  results  more  especially  than 
to  write  long  and  elaborate  opinions.  Aided  by  a  bar  which 
was  constantly  increasing  in  numbers,  very  many  of  whom,  in 
point  of  intellectual  power  and  legal  training,  would  have  occu- 
pied high  positions  at  the  bar  of  the  State,  the  record  of  their 
rulings  may  be  regarded  by  the  people  and  profession  with 
satisfaction  and  with  pride. 

The  very  general  conviction,  amounting  almost  to  a  certainty, 
that  the  constitution,  formed  but  a  few  days  before  the  com- 
mencement of  the  session,  and  voted  upon  by  the  people  on  the 
day  of  its  adjournment,  would  be  ratified,  seemed  to  render  it 
unnecessary  that  any  extensive  schemes  of  legislation  should 
be  entered  upon,  and  to  suggest  the  wisdom  of  deferring  to 
the  legislature  of  the  coming  State  Government  the  work  of 
perfecting  and  revising  the  laws  affecting  the  general  welfare 
of  the  people.  Such  was  the  opinion  of  the  legislative  assem- 
bly now  assembled ;  and  consequently,  with  the  exception  of 
some  legislation  in  regard  to  the  canal  and  canal-lands  which 
was  deemed  necessary,  their  work  was  confined  almost  exclu- 
sively to  laws  of  a  private  nature.  The  two  first  of  these,  and 
afterwards  twenty-one  others  (in  all,  twenty-three)  were  acts 
granting  divorces  from  the  bands  of  matrimony,  —  one  of  which 
was  to  divorce  the  wife  of  John  Smith,  without  reference  to 
his  residence  or  other  circumstances  to  identify  which  of  the 
thousands  of  John  Smiths  was  intended.  This  last  session 
appeored  to  be  prolific  in  divorces ;  a  greater  number  having 
been  granted  than  at  all  previous  sessions  since  the  organization 
of  the  Territory,  which  may  have  been  owing  to  the  fact,  that 
the  new  constitution  prohibited  the  legislature  from  granting 
any  divorce. 

Previous  to  the  new  constitution  being  acted  upon  by  a  vote 
of  the  people  (the  first  constitution  having  failed  of  confirmar 


250 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


tion),  another  bill  was  introduced  in  Congress  on  the  20th  of 
March,  1848,  by  J.  II.  Tweedy,  delegate  to  Congress  from 
Wisconsin,  for  the  admission  of  Wisconsin  into  the  Union.  It 
was  referred  to  the  committee  on  territories,  reported  upon 
favorably,  and  made  a  special  order  for  May  9  ensuing,  when  it 
came  up  in  the  committee  of  the  whole ;  when  Mr.  Smith  of 
Indiana  moved  to  amend  the  first  section  by  adding  at  the 
end  thereof,  the  words,  "  with  the  boundaries  prescribed  by  the 
act  of  Congress,  approved  Aug.  G,  1846,  entitled,  '  An  Act  to 
enable  the  People  of  Wisconsin  Territory  to  form  a  Constitu- 
tion and  State  Government,  and  for  the  Admission  of  such 
State  into  the  Union.'"  Mr.  Smith  of  Illinois  proposed  to 
amend  the  amendment  by  defining  the  boundaries  of  the  new 
State.  A  spirited  discussion  took  place  ;  in  which  IVIr.  Bowlin, 
Messrs.  Smith  of  Illinois  and  Indiana,  Mr.  Tuck,  Mr.  Vinton, 
Mr.  Collamer,  and  others,  participated.  Mr.  Tweedy  stated 
that  Wisconsin  preferred  Rum  River  as  the  northern  boundary, 
but  would  acquiesce  if  the  St.  Croix  route  was  decided  upon. 
The  bill  finally  passed  the  House  May  11,  1848,  and  concurred 
in  by  the  Senate  June  1.  On  the  18th  of  July,  Senator 
Walker  of  Wisconsin  succeeded  in  having  the  fourth  clause 
of  the  bill  modified. 

Wisconsin  was  admitted  into  the  Union,  with  an  equal  foot- 
ing with  the  other  States,  on  the  29th  of  May,  1848. 

It  may  be  here  remarked,  that  the  western  boundary  of  the 
new  State,  by  the  Mississippi  and  St.  Croix  Rivers,  left  out  a 
full  organized  county,  with  a  sheriff,  clerk  of  court,  judge  of 
probate,  and  justices  of  the  peace,  which  had  formerly  been 
included  within  the  limits  of  the  Territory,  under  its  govern- 
ment and  laws.  A  bill  had  been  introduced  at  a  previous 
session  in  Congress,  by  Hon.  Morg-.n  L.  Martin,  the  delegate 
from  Wisconsin,  to  organize  a  Territorial  government  for  Min- 
nesota, including  the  district  left  out  on  the  admission  of  Wis- 
consin ;  but  which  failed  to  become  a  law  on  account  of  the 
slavery  question,  which  was  then  agitating  Congress.  The 
citizens  of  what  is  now  Minnesota  were  very  anxious  to  obtain 
a  Territorial  government ;  and  two  public  meetings  were  held, 
—  one  at  St.  Paul,  and  the  other  at  Stillwater,  —  advising  Hon. 
John  Catlin,  who  was  secretary  of  Wisconsin,  to  issue  a  proc- 
lamation as  the  acting  governor,  for  the  election  of  a  delegate. 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


S51 


On  consulting  with  Gov.  Dodge,  who  had  been  elected  to 
the  senate  (and  consequently  liad  vacated  the  office  of  gov- 
ernor), and  oil  the  resignation  of  Hon.  John  H.  Tweedy  of  the 
office  of  delegate,  Mr.  Catlin  repaired  to  Stillwater,  and  issued 
a  proclamation  for  the  election  of  delegate.  Hon.  H.  H.  Sibley 
was  elected  ;  and  nearly  four  hundred  votes  were  polled  at  the 
election.  Gen.  Sibley  presented  his  certificate  of  election  to 
Congress,  which  was  referred  to  a  committee,  which  reported  in 
favor  of  the  admission  of  the  delegate;  the  committee  taking 
the  same  view  Mr.  Catlin  had  taken.  Gen.  Sibley  was  admit- 
ted to  his  seat  on  the  floor  of  Congress  by  a  vote  of  two  to 
one ;  most  of  the  Southern  members  opposing,  contending  that 
the  Territorial  government  fell  on  the  admission  of  Wisconsin. 
The  admission  of  Gen.  Sibley  facilitated  and  hastened  the  pas- 
sage of  a  bill  for  the  organization  of  a  Territorial  government 
for  Minnesota ;  which  Gen.  Sibley  was  enabled  to  get  passed, 
notwithstanding  the  opposition  of  Southern  members. 
.  An  election  for  officers  of  the  new  State  of  Wisconsin  was 
held  on  the  8th  of  May,  1848.  From  the  report  of  the  board  of 
state  canvassers,  it  appeared,  that,  for  governor,  Nelson  Dewey 
received  10,.538  votes,  and  John  H.  Tweedy  1-1,449 ;  for  lieu- 
tenant-governor, John  E.  Holmes  received  19,.537,  and  John  H. 
Ronntree  14,355 ;  for  secretary  of  state,  Thomas  McHiigh 
received  19,485,  and  Cliauncey  Abbot  14,584 ;  for  treasurer, 
Jairus  C.  Fairchild  received  18,886,  and  Cliarles  G.  Collins 
14,353 ;  for  attorney-general,  James  S.  Brown  received  17,778, 
and  N.  S.  Baird  13,975. 

In  closing  this  account  of  the  Territorial  history  of  Wiscon- 
sin, it  may  be  proper  to  say,  that  Wisconsin  has  successively 
been  under  the  government  of  Virginia,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois, 
and  Michigan.  The  Territory  once  l)elonged  to  Virginia ;  or,  at 
least,  she  has  now  the  full  credit  of  having  ceded  it,  together 
with  all  the  territory  north-west  of  the  Ohio  River,  to  the  United 
States.  Up  to  the  year  1800,  Wisconsin  was  under  the  authori- 
ty of  the  Territorial  government  established  in  Ohio.  In  that 
year  she  was  attached  to  Indiana  Territory,  and  remained  so 
until  1809,  when  the  Illinois  Territory  was  organized,  extend- 
ing north  to  Lake  Superior,  and,  of  course,  including  Wis- 
consin.   When  Illinois  took  her  place  in  the  Union,  in  1818,  our 


252 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


Territory  was  finally  attached  to  Michigan,  and  remained  so 
until  the  organization  of  tlie  Territorial  government  of  1836. 

It  will  thus  be  seen,  that,  within  the  space  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty-six  ^-ears.,  Wisconsin  has  been  successively  ruled  by 
two  kings,  one  '  ite,  and  four  Territories,  and  is  now  in  a  con- 
dition to  govei  ^  herself,  and  all  brought  about  without  any 
great  internal  exciting  events  to  produce  these  revolutions. 
The  people  have  submitted  to  each  change  without  a  struggle 
or  a  murmur.  To  summarize :  Wisconsin  has  been  under  the 
government  of  France  from  1070  to  1759,  eighty-nine  years  ;  of 
Great  Britain,  1759  to  1794,  thirty-five  years ;  of  Virginia  and 
Ohio,  from  1791  to  1800,  six  years ;  of  Indiana,  from  1800  to 
1800,  nine  years ;  of  Illinois,  1809  to  1818,  nine  years ;  of 
Michigan,  1818  to  1836,  eighteen  years:  total,  one  hundred 
and  sixty-six  years. 


so 


las. 

?le 
Jblie 

of 
ind 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


ADMINISTRATION  OP  NELSON  DEWEY. 


Organization  of  tlie  State  Government  —  Revision  of  tlie  Statutes  —  Organiza- 
tion of  the  State  University  —  Tlie  Presic'ential  Campaign  —  Tlie  Free-Soil 
Party. 

The  new  State  government  of  Wisconsin  was  organized  on 
the  fifth  day  of  June,  1848,  with  the  following  officers :  gov- 
ernor, Nelson  Dewey ;  lieutenant-goveruor,  John  E.  Holmos ; 
secretary  of  State,  Thomas  McHugh  ;  State  treasurer,  JairusC. 
Fairchild  ;  attorney-general,  James  S.  Brown.  These  officers 
were  chosen  at  the  general  election,  held  on  the  8th  of  May, 
1848. 

On  the  same  day,  the  first  session  of  the  legislature  was  held 
at  the  Capitol,  pursuant  to  the  constitution  ;  and  the  apportion- 
ment of  senators  and  representatives  was  also  made  under  the 
provisions  of  the  same  constitution,  and  so  to  continue  until 
otherwise  declared  by  law. 

The  senate  was  composed  of  nineteen  members,  and  was 
organized  by  the  chair  being  occupied  by  the  lieu- 
tenant-governor, and  the  election  of  Henry  G.  Ab- 
bey as  chief  clerk,  and  Lyman  H.  Seaver  sergeant-at-arms. 

The  assembly  was  composed  of  sixty -six  u^^mbers.  Hon.  N. 
E.  Whiteside  was  chosen  speaker,  Daniel  Noble  Johnson  chief 
clerk,  and  John  Mullanphy  sergeant-at-arms. 

The  two  houses  held  a  session  of  eighty-five  days,  adjourn- 
ing on  the  21st  of  August. 

The  message  of  Gov.  Dewey  recommended  many  measures 
incident  upon  a  change  of  government ;  among  other  things, 
the  revision  of  the  statute  laws,  the  election  of  a  State  super- 
intendent of  schools,  the  collection  and  investing  the  funds 
iiM 


1848. 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


255 


appropriated  by  the  constitution  to  create  a  school-fund,  the 
setting-apart  of  the  five  hundred  thousand  acres  of  land  donated 
to  the  State  by  Congress,  a  change  in  the  system  of  county 
governments,  the  erection  of  a  state-prison,  revision  of  the 
militia  laws,  the  canal  lands,  and  the  subject  of  taxation. 

From  tlie  report  of  the  secretary  of  state,  it  appears  that 
that  officer  had  estimated  the  expenses  of  the  State  govern- 
ment for  the  current  year  at  S'29,898.26,  not  including  the  sala- 
ries of  judges,  and  some  other  items,  which  would  raise  the 
amount  to  about  $35,000. 

The  valuation  of  taxable  property  of  the  Territory  assessed 
for  1847  was  $14,025,631.24,  an  increase  of  nearly  two  million 
and  a  half  over  that  assessed  for  the  preceding  year. 

The  first  business  of  the  legislature  was  the  election  of  two 
United  States  senators  for  the  State.  Isaac  P.  Walker  and 
Henry  Dodge,  having  received  the  largest  number  of  votes,  were 
declared  elected.  They  served  until  the  next  general  election. 
Among  the  bills  passed  at  this  session  were  those  for  prescrib- 
ing the  duties  of  the  State  officers,  dividing  the  State  into  con- 
gressional districts,  the  election  of  j- dges,  the  revision  of  the 
laws,  the  location  of  school  and  other  lands,  the  improvement 
of  the  Fox  River,  appraisal  of  university  lands  in  relation  to 
the  organization  of  schools,  the  construction  of  plank-roads, 
the  salaries  of  State  officers,  some  forty  acts  relative  to  the 
organization  of  towns  and  counties  and  local  taxes,  thirty  for 
State  roads,  thirty-eight  appropriation  bills,  and  ten  for  the 
incorporation  of  villages  and  cities  and  other  orgaTiizations. 
Among  the  important  acts,  were  one  for  the  establishment  of 
the  State  university,  consisting  of  a  board  of  regents,  —  com- 
posed of  a  president  and  twelve  members,  to  be  divided  into 
three  classes,  and  who  shall  serve  one,  two,  or  three  years,  —  a 
secretary,  and  treasurer  (this  bill  repealed  the  one  passed  by  the 
previous  session  of  the  legislative  assembly)  ;  another,  an  act  to 
exempt  a  homestead  from  forced  sale,  by  the  provisions  of  which 
a  homestead,  consisting  of  any  quantity  of  land,  not  exceeding 
forLy  acres,  used  for  agricultural  purposes,  and  the  dwelling 
thereon,  and  its  appurtenances,  to  bo  selected  by  the  owner 
thereof,  or  instead,  thereof,  at  the  option  of  the  owner,  a  quan- 
tity of  land,  not  exceeding  one-fourth  of  an  acre,  within  the 


256 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


recorded  plat  of  any  village  or  city,  with  the  dwelling-house 
thereon,  should  not  be  subject  to  forced  sale  on  execution  of 
any  final  jn-ocesa  from  a  court,  for  any  debt  or  liability  con- 
tracted after  the  first  day  of  January,  1849.  In  the  latter  part 
of  the  session,  another  act  was  passed,  exempting  from  forced 
sale  a  certain  number  of  cows,  swine,  oxen,  horses,  sheep,  and 
farming  implements  ;  also  the  provisions  of  a  del)tor,  the  tools 
and  implements  of  any  mechanic,  libraries,  family  pictures, 
beds,  bedding,  and  all  necessary  wearing-apparel,  besides  sun- 
dry other  exemptions. 

The  act  to  provide  for  revising  the  statute  laws  of  the  State 
was  an  important  one,  by  the  provisions  of  which  three  com- 
missioners were  to  be  chosen,  who  were  authorized  "  to  collate 
and  revise  all  such  public  .acts  of  the  legistaturo,  which  shall 
be  in  force  at  the  close  of  the  present  session,  as  are  general 
and  permanent  in  their  nature;"  that  they  sliould  lay  before 
the  legislature  the  acts  so  revised  and  arranged  by  them  at  the 
next  session  ;  and  that  the  laws  so  revised  should  be  submitted 
and  approved  l)y  the  said  commissioners,  who  should  prepare 
the  same  for  publication.  In  July,  1848,  the  legislature  elected 
M.  Frank,  C.  S.  Jordan,  and  A.  W.  Randall  commissioners. 
The  last-named,  however,  declined  to  serve ;  and  the  governor 
appointed  C.  ]M.  Baker  to  fill  the  vacancy.  The  commissioners 
immediately  entered  ui)on  the  work  ;  ami  the  same  was  so  far 
comjjleted,  that  the}*  were  enabled  to  report  to  the  next  session 
a  large  part  of  the  work ;  which,  having  been  examined  by  the 
legislature,  was  adopted  with  some  few  amendments.  The  law 
authorizing  the  publication  directed  Hon.  C.  M.  Baker,  one 
of  the  commissioners,  to  arrange  the  chapters  into  parts  and 
titles,  to  unite  or  divide  the  work  into  subdivisions  as  should 
be  njcessary. 

'*  The  Revised  Statutes  of  Wisconsin,"  as  thus  revised,  was 
passed  at  the  second  session  of  the  State  legistature  which  com- 
menced its  session  in  January,  1849,  and  was  printed  at  Albany, 
1849,  and  pulilished  by  C.  L.  Sholes,  who  liad  the  contract  for 
publishing  the  same.  It  made  a  volume  of  eight  hundred  and 
ninety-nine  pages  octavo. 

The  legislati  re  adjourned  its  first  session  without  electing 
regents  of  the  university,  having  passed  a  bill  authorizing  the 


ni^TORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


2fi7 


governor  to  fill  all  vacancies,  which  included  the  whole  Board. 
In  the  month  of  September,  the  governor  made  the  following 
appointments  for  the  university  :  A.  L.  Collins,  T.  W.  Suther- 
land, J.  Catlin,  J.  T,  Clark,  J.  H.  Roundtree,  J.  Bannister, 
E.  Root,  Rufus  King,  Henry  Bryan,  Cyrus  Woodman,  E.  V. 
Whiton,  and  Hiram  Barber,  regents. 

The  passage  of  the  Homestead  Exemption  Bill  caused  much 
discussion,  not  only  in  tlie  State,  but  over  the  country.  It  was 
the  most  liberal  law  passed  by  any  State  authority.  One  news- 
paper at  Madison,  the  leading  paper  of  the  dominant  party  iu 
the  State,  said,  — 

"  The  legislature  has  passed  a  bill,  which,  if  not  immediately  repealed, 
will  work  some  most  wonderful  changes  in  the  business  transactions  of  our 
new  State.  This,  to  a  majority  of  our  people,  was  the  most  odious  feature 
in  the  condemned  constitution.  We  can  regard  it  as  nothing  more  or  less 
than  a  covert,  under  which  villany  can  practise  its  devices  unmolested,  as 
it  is  a  permission  for  rascals  to  get  in  debt,  if  they  can,  aud  pay  when  they 
please,  not  when  they  ought,  as  justice  demands." 


On  the  other  hand,  it  was  contended  that  governments  are 
organized  to  restrain  the  oppressor,  and  protect  the  oppressed  ; 
that  it  is  not  an  uncommon  thing  to  see  the  rich  and  powerful 
oppress  his  brother-man,  because  the  law  gives  him  authority; 
and  that  cases  of  forced  sale  have  taken  place  which  make  the 
heart  bleed  to  reflect  on  "  man's  inhumanity  to  man  ; "  and  that 
proper  exemption  laws  injure  no  one,  as  both  parties  were 
aware  of  the  law,  and  contracts  could  be  made  whicli  work  no 
hardsliip. 

The  board  of  regents  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin  held 
their  first  meeting,  at  which  time  it  was  decided  to  open  a  pre- 
paratory department  for  the  reception  of  pupils  in  February, 
1840.  John  W.  Sterling  was  elected  professor  of  mathemat- 
ics, and  appointed  to  tiike  charge  of  tlie  preparatory  depart- 
ment at  the  time  designated.  The  present  site  was  selected, 
and  the  purchase  consummated  the  following  year.  The  tract, 
which  was  purcliased  of  Hon.  Abram  Vanderpoel,  was  the 
north-west  quarter  of  section  twenty-three,  town  seven,  range 
nine,  except  block  nine  in  the  village  of  Madison.  The  price 
stipidated  was  five  dollars  per  acre,  and  the  taxes  of  1849.    At 


258 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


the  same  meeting  of  the  board  of  regents,  John  11.  Lathrop, 
LL.D,  was  elected  chancellor,  and  his  salary  fixed  at  two 
thousand  dollars.  In  the  fall  of  1848,  the  election  for  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  took  place.  The  Free-soil  party  was 
organized  this  season,  and  an  energetic  political  canvass  was 
had.  The  Democratic  electors,  F.  Huehschman,  W.  Dinwid- 
dle, S.  F.  Nichols,  and  D.  P.  Mapes,  received  15,000  votes, 
the  Whig  electors  13,747,  and  the  Free-soil  electors  9,548. 
The  Democratic  electors  held  a  meeting  on  the  Glh  of  Decem- 
ber, and  cast  the  vote  of  Wisconsin  for  Lewis  Cass  for  presi- 
dent, and  W.  O.  Butler  vice-Presidcnt.  As  is  well  known,  at 
this  election  in  the  United  States,  Gen.  Zachary  Taylor  was 
ejected  president,  and  Millard  Fillmore,  vice-President. 

Charles   Durkce,  Orsamus  Cole,  and   James  D.  Doty  were 
elected  members  of  Congress  from  Wisconsin  at  this  election. 


il- 
ls    ' 
as 


SI- 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


ADMINISTEATION  OF  GOV.  NELSON  DEWET. 


Second  Session  of  the  State  Legislature  —  Gov.  Dewey's  Message— The  Slavery 
Question  —  Tlie  State  Ivegislature  out»pol<eu  on  the  Subject —Dewey's  Re- 
election —  Election  Statistics  —  Great  lncrea.se  of  Population  —  The  Winne- 
bago Scare  —  The  Opening  of  the  University  —  State-Prison,  &c. 

The  second  session  of  the  State  legislature  met,  according  to 
law,  on  the  10th  of  January,  1849,  and  adjourned  April  2, 
1849,  holding  a  session  of  eighty-three  days. 

In  the  senate,  Lieut.-Gov.  J.  E.  Holmes  was  president,  Wil- 
liam R.  Smith  chief  clerk,  and  F.  \V.  Shollner  sergeant-at- 
arms.  In  the  assembly,  Harrison  C.  Hobart  was  elected 
speaker,  Robert  L.  Ream  chief  clerk,  and  Felix  McLindon 
sergeant-at-arms.  Gov.  Dewey  in  his  message  referred  to  the 
rapidly  increasing  population  of  the  State,  and  the  indomitable 
energy  displayed  in  the  development  of  its  productive  capa- 
city. He  said  that  the  government  had  effected  a  treaty 
with  the  Menomonee  Indians,  by  which  their  title  had  been 
extinguished  to  that  part  of  the  State  lying  north  of  Fox 
River,  embracing  all  the  lands  belonging  to  them ;  that 
on  the  29th  of  June,  1848,  lie  had  selected  the  alternate 
sections  of  unsold  lands  (odd  numbered)  donated  by  Congress 
for  the  improvement  of  the  Fox  River,  to  the  amount  of 
a  hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand  acres,  and  that  the  residue 
could  not  be  located  without  further  action  of  Congress ; 
that  two  hundred  thousand  acres  of  the  five  hundred  thousand 
acres  don.ated  by  Congress  to  the  State  had  been  selected,  but 
that  the  approval  of  the  selection  had  not  been  made  by  the 
government.  He  recommended  the  sale  of  the  university  lands 
on  a  long  credit,  the  locating  and  erection  of  a  state-prison, 
and  the  modification  of  certain  laws. 

2(iO 


niSTORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


261 


On  the  17th  of  January,  the  two  houses  met  in  council,  and 
proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  senator  to  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States ;  when  it  appeared  Isaac  P.  Walker  received 
forty-five  votes,  Byron  Kilbourn  eighteen  votes,  Alex.  Botkin 
eighteen  votes,  and  four  votes  scattering.  Mr.  Walker  was 
declared  duly  elected. 

One  of  the  first  acts  passed  was  "  An  Act  relating  to  Inter 
est,"  by  the  provisions  of  which  any  rate  of  interest  agreed  upon 
by  parties  in  contract,  specifying  the  same  in  writing,  shall  be 
legal  and  valid,  and  that,  wlicn  no  rate  of  interest  is  agreed 
upon  or  specified  in  a  note  or  contract,  seven  per  cent  shall  be 
the  legal  rate.  This  was  a  step  forward  beyond  any  thing 
taken  by  any  State  legislature.  It  had  the  effect  to  bring 
capital  into  the  State,  and  to  stimulate  private  improvements 
and  the  development  of  the  country.  The  law,  however,  was 
subsequently  repealed.  An  act  was  also  passed  relative  to  the 
sale  and  superintendence  of  the  school  and  university  lands, 
prescribing  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  commissioners  who 
were  to  have  the  charge  of  the  same. 

Of  the  acts  passed  at  this  session,  ten  are  relative  to  the 
boundaries  of  counties ;  fifty-five,  to  the  laying-out  of  roads ; 
eighteen,  on  the  organization  of  towns ;  eight  relative  to 
courts;  five,  organizing  school-districts;  fourteen,  authorizing 
special  taxes ;  fourteen,  changing  the  names  of  towns  and  indi- 
viduals ;  and  a  large  number  of  appropriation  bills. 

The  question  of  "slavery  in  the  Territories"  was  one  that 
engrossed  the  public  mind  in  Congress  as  well  as  the  indi- 
vidual States ;  and  the  State  legislatui'e  ado^jted  a  joint  resolu- 
tion on  the  8th  of  February,  1849,  instructing  the  senators  in 
Congress,  and  members  of  the  house  of  representatives,  of 
Wisconsin,  to  oppose  the  passage  of  any  act  for  the  government 
of  New  iNIexico  and  California,  or  any  Territory  belonging 
to  the  United  States,  or  which  may  hereafter  be  required, , 
unless  it  shall  contain  a  provision  forever  prohibiting  the 
introduction  of  slavery,  or  involuntary  servitude,  into  said 
Territories,  except  as  punishment  for  crime  ;  also  to  oppose  the 
admission  of  any  more  slave  States  into  the  Federal  Union ; 
and  also  to  exert  their  influence  to  procure  the  repeal  of  all 
laws  permitting  slavery  and  the  slave-trade  in  the  District  of 
Columbia. 


262 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


On  the  81st  of  March,  joint  resolutions  were  i)a88ecl  by  the 
legislature,  to  the  effect  that  "  Hon.  I.  P.  Walker,  one  of  the 
senators  of  this  State  in  t'ongress,  in  presenting  and  voting  for 
an  araemhnent  to  tiic  general  appropriation  hill,  providing  for  a 
government  in  California  and  New  Mexico,  west  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  which  did  not  contain  a  provision  forever  prohibiting 
the  uitroduction  of  slavery  or  involuntary  servitude  in  said 
Territories,  has  violated  his  pledges  given  before  his  election 
on  that  subject,  outraged  the  feelings  of  the  people,  misrep- 
resented those  wli  tted  him,  and  has  openly  violated  the 
instructions  contained  in  the  resolutions  passed  l)y  this  body 
on  the  subject  of  slavery  at  the  present  session  ;  and  is  hereby 
instructed  to  immediately  resign  his  seat."  At  the  same  time, 
the  course  of  Hon.  Henry  Dodge,  the  other  senator  from 
Wisconsin,  in  voting  against  the  proposition  of  ^fr.  Walker, 
received  the  cordial  approval  of  the  legislature.  The  report  of 
the  secretary  of  State  estimated  the  expenses  of  the  fiscal  year, 
commencing  Jan.  1,  1840,  at  $46,980. 

The  discovery  of  gold  in  California  produced  in  Wisconsin, 
as  in  other  States,  a  powerful  excitement;  and  the  emigration  to 
the  Pacific  coast  was  very  large.  In  the  mining-districts  in 
South-western  Wisconsin,  there  was  a  large  depopulation.  The 
reports  received  gave  accounts  of  the  distress  and  sufferings 
exi)evieneed  by  those  who  left  the  State,  and,  in  some  cases, 
death  for  want  of  the  common  necessities  of  life.  While  a  few 
returned  in  better  circumstances  than  when  they  left,  large 
numbers  returned  broken  in  health,  and  in  a  destitute  condition. 

The  first  session  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  Wis- 
consin commenced  on  the  8tli  of  January,  1849:  present,  Hen. 
A.  W.  Stow  chief  justice,  Hon.  E.  V.  Whiton,  Hon.  M.  M. 
Jackson,  Hon.  Charles  Larrabee,  and  Hon.  Levi  Hubbell,  asso- 
ciates.    There  were  about  fifty  cases  on  tlie  docket. 

From  the  report  of  the  board  fif  public  works  made  to  the 
legislature,  it  appears  that  the  quantity  of  land  within  the  Fox 
River  reserve,  surveyed  and  located  up  to  that  time,  was 
123,988  acres ;  lands  on  the  reserve,  previously  sold  by  the 
government,  in  lieu  of  which  other  lands  were  to  be  located  by 
the  State,  98,370  acres  ;  lands  within  the  reserve  recently  ceded 
by  the  Menomonees,  and  granted  to  the  State,  76,000  to  80,000 


n  I  STORY  OF   W/SCOXSfN. 


acres:  total  number  of  acres  about  300,000.  The  estimated 
cost  of  the  Fox  River  improvement  and  tlie  canal  across  tlie 
portage  was  estimated  at  $373,700.09. 

On  the  30th  of  Januar}',  the  first  orpanization  of  the  State 
Historical  Society  was  made.  lion.  Nelson  Dewey  was  elected 
president,  one  vice-president  from  each  of  the  orpfanized  coun- 
ties of  the  State,  Rev.  Cliarles  Lord  recording  secretary,  I.  A. 
Lapham  corresponding  secretary,  E.  M.  Williamson  treasurer, 
John  Catlin,  Beriah  Brown,  and  Alexander  Botkin,  executive 
committee.  Gen.  William  R.  Smith  was  invited  to  deliver  an 
address  before  the  society  at  its  next  annual  meeting,  and  I. 
E.  Arnold,  Esq.,  as  substitute. 

At  the  general  State  election  held  in  November,  Nelson 
Dewey  was  elected  governor,  S.  W.  Beall  lieutenant-governor, 
William  A.  Barstow  secretary  of  state,  Jairu  C.  Fairchild 
treasurer,  and  Eleazar  Root  superintendent  of  public  instruc- 
tion. On  the  question  of  suffrage  to  colored  persons,  5,62.5 
votes  were  given  for  suffrage,  and  4,075  against  it.  Charles 
Durkee,  Orsamus  Cole,  and  James  D.  Doty  were  elected  mem- 
bers of  Congress  1849-51.  During  the  year  1849,  the 
preliminary  steps  ior  the  organization  of  the  institution  for  the 
education  of  the  blind  were  taken  at  Janesville.  A  school  for 
the  blind  had  been  supported  by  the  voluntary  effort  of  the 
people  of  that  place  and  vicinity.  Its  operations  having  been 
brought  to  the  notice  of  the  legislature,  that  body,  by  act 
approved  Feb.  9,  1850,  organized  the  Wisconsin  Institution 
for  the  Blind,  the  object  of  which  was  declared  to  be  "  to 
qualify,  as  far  as  may  be,  the  blind  for  the  enjojTnent  of  the 
blessings  of  a  free  government,  obtaining  the  means  of  subsist- 
ence, and  the  discharge  of  those  duties,  social  and  political, 
devolving  upon  American  citizens."  The  institution  was  to  be 
under  the  charge  of  five  trustees  appointed  by  the  governor, 
who  were  empowered  to  employ  a  superintendent  and  teachers 
necessary  to  conduct  the  school,  and  to  perform  other  duties 
necessary  for  the  proper  mautagement  of  the  same.  Like 
almost  all  the  schools  of  the  kind  in  the  country,  it  opened  free 
of  charge  to  those  who  required  its  advantages.  The  funds 
for  its  support  were  for  the  first  year  derived  from  a  tax  of  one 
fifteenth  of  a  mill  on  each  dollar  of  taxable  property,  since 


2C4 


THRTOiiY  OF  wiacoysiN, 


which  time  it  has  hoen  supported  by  an  annual  appropriation. 
Tlic  inHtitntioii  wns  first  oppnerl  on  tho  first  Monday  of  October, 
1850,  wlu'u  oirrht  pupils  were  a(bnittcd.  Tiie  estimated 
expense  for  the  year  commencing  Oct.  1,  18.50,  was  fifteen 
hundred  dollars. 

The  State  superintendent  of  schools,  Hon.  Elcazar  Root,  was 
chosen  by  the  people  in  1R49.  He  was  nominated  by  the  State 
central  committee  of  both  political  parties,  and  elected  without 
opposition.  He  was  favorably  known  as  a  firm  friend  and 
devoted  advocate  of  the  cause  of  education.  His  first  term 
consisted  of  one  year.  He  was  re-elected,  his  second  term 
bein;^  two  years.  From  liis  first  report,  issued  in  1850,  we  learn 
that  there  were  estimated  to  be  80,445  children  between  four 
and  twenty  years  of  age  in  the  State,  of  which  40,130  were 
attending  school ;  that  the  average  wages  of  male  teachers  per 
month  were  815.22,  and  of  female  teachers.  80,02 ;  that  tliere 
were  704  schoolhouses,  850  being  constructed  of  logs ;  and  that 
there  were  ninety-six  imincorporated  private  schools.  During 
Mr.  Root's  administration,  besides  issuing  a  publication  of  the 
school-laws  with  notes  and  instructions,  accompanied  with 
suitable  forms  for  conducting  proceedingf;  under  them  by  the 
different  school-officers,  he  gave  much  attention  to  the  forma- 
tion of  graded  schools  in  various  parts  of  the  State. 

The  settlement  of  Wisconsin  from  the  time  of  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  State  government  was  marked  in  a  very  extraordi- 
nary degree  ;  transcending  all  that  had  been  witnessed  in  the 
creation  of  new  political  communities,  by  the  peaceful  migra- 
tion of  men  and  of  the  arts,  distancing  even  all  previous  expe- 
rience in  the  settlement  of  the  New  World.  During  the  decade 
from  1840  to  1850,  the  population  advanced  from  80,000  to 
805,000,  while  at  the  corresponding  decades  of  its  growth, 
Ohio  presents  an  increase  only  from  45,000  to  212,000,  and 
the  corresponding  increase  of  Indiana  and  Illinois  was  in  a 
much  smaller  ratio.  The  migration  to  Wisconsin,  unparalleled 
as  it  Avas  in  the  experience  of  States,  has  not  been  the  fitful 
result  of  the  gambling  mania  which  lured  its  hordes  of  victims 
to  the  Pacific  coast:  it  has  been  the  steady  and  persistent 
flow  of  men  and  capital,  seeking  permanent  homes  for  them- 
selves and  their  families.     Of  those  of  this  number  may  be 


266 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


named  the  Germa.'  and  the  Scandinavian  ;  both  nationalities 
soon  becoming  thor  aghly  Americanized  in  thought,  feeling, 
and  language.  From  these  sources,  Wisconsin  derived  largo 
accessions  of  numbers,  of  wealth,  and  of  enterprise,  owing  to 
its  excellent  advantages  of  rich,  iiroductive  soil,  at  the  nomi- 
nal government  price  of  a  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre,  its 
valuable  mines  of  lead  and  other  mineral,  its  forests  of  pine- 
timber,  as  well  as  the  unlimited  water-power  of  its  streams  for 
all  the  demands  of  industry. 

The  third  session  of  the  State  legislature  convened  Jan.  9, 
18ijO.  and  adjourned  Feb.  11,  18o0,  after  a  short  session  of 
thirly-four  days ;  Hon.  S.  W.  Beall,  lieutenant-governor,  pre- 
siding in  the  senate,  William  R.  Smith  chief  clerk,  and  James 
Hannahan  sergeant-at-arms.  In  the  assembly,  Hon.  Moses  M. 
Strong  Avas  elected  speaker,  Alexander  T.  Gray  cliief  clerk, 
and  E.  R.  Hugunin  sergeant-a'wirms. 

The  governor,  in  his  message  to  the  legislature,  refers  to  the 
continued  immigration  to  the  State,  to  the  work  prosecuted  on 
the  Fox  River,  and  to  the  contracts  that  had  been  entered  into 
for  the  construction  of  the  portage  canal  between  the  Fox  and 
Wisconsin  Rivers,  and  the  improvement  of  the  Fox  River, 
Rapids  des  Pcire,  and  Rapid  CrocLe,  for  the  sum  of  $60,401 ; 
also  refers  to  the  necetisity  of  a  state-prison,  the  action  of  the 
board  of  regents  of  the  university  in  proposing  to  erect  one 
of  the  luiiversity  buildings  the  present  season,  the  business 
conducted  by  the  Wisconsin  Miuine  and  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany in  the  issuing  of  certificates  of  dcjjosit,  which,  in  his 
opinion,  were  unlawful  under  the  Constitution,  and  other  sub- 
jects connected  with  the  management  of  the  financial  affairs 
of  the  State. 

The  secretary  of  state  reports  the  total  receipts  in  the 
treasury  the  year  past  (1849),  $58,059.04,  and  estimates  the 
expenses  for  the  3'ear  1850,  including  deficiencies,  $08,950.79  ; 
that  the  number  of  sections  of  university  lands  api)raised  is  t33|^ 
aces,  and  the  appraised  value  $117,691.40;  total  numl^er  of 
school-sections,  405 ;  appraised  value,  exclusive  of  expense,  of 
rippraising,  $904,924.72;  taxable  property,  $27,450,000.  Tho 
board  of  regents  of  the  university,  in  their  report  to  the  legis- 
lature, refer  to  the  site  selected  as  being  one  of  great  b.;  uty, 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


2G7 


corsisting  of  about  fifty  acres,  bounded  on  the  nortli  by  Four 
Lake  (Lake  Mcndota),  and  that  a  portion  of  the  lesidue  of  the 
tract  had  been  surveyed,  ;m,  1  laid  out  in  streets  and  town-lots. 
Plans  and  estimates  for  tlie  buildings  were  submitted;  the 
principal  features  being  a  main  eilifice  fronting  towards  the 
Capitol,  throe  stories  high,  to  be  a  hundred  and  forty  feet  in 
length,  with  an  extreme  depth  of  sixty  feet,  to  contain  thirteen 
public  rooms,  four  dormitory  buildings,  two  on  each  side  of 
the  main  building,  each  to  be  four  stories  high,  a  hundred  and 
ten  feet  in  length,  and  foi-ty  feet  in  breadth,  containing  thirty- 
two  study-rooms  for  the  use  of  students.  The  plan  as  reported 
was  adopted  by  the  Board,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  legis- 
lature. According  to  the  estimates  of  the  architect,  J.  F. 
Rugue,  Esq.,  the  buildings  would  cost  nearly  seventy  thousand 
dollars.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  Board,  held  in  1850, 
proposals  were  received  for  the  erection  o.  one  dormitory 
building ;  and  the  contract  was  awarded  to  Varney  Parker  for 
seventeen  thousand  dollars.  The  legislature  in  joint  conven- 
tion, Jan.  20,  elected  H.  L.  Dousman,  Caleb  Croswell,  and 
Albert  S.  Story,  commissioners  of  the  board  of  public  works. 

There  appears  to  have  been  Ijut  little  business  of  an  impor- 
tant nature  transacted  at  this  session,  though  some  three  hun- 
dred bills  passed  both  houses.  A  large  part  of  the  business 
was  of  a  local  character;  such  as  the  incorporation  of  plank- 
road  companic:;,  bridge  companies,  and  laying  out  of  roads. 
There  were  some  twelve  laws  amending  the  revised  statutes, 
four  on  locating  county  seats,  twenty-two  road-ljills,  sixteen  on 
the  subject  of  local  taxation,  twelve  charters  for  bridge  com- 
panies, seven  in  reference  to  Indians,  fourteen  plank-road 
charters,  four  amending  the  charters  incorporating  railroads, 
and  about  ninety  appropriation  liills.  One  act  was  passed 
fixing  the  salaries  of  the  State  officers. 

The  population  of  the  State  in  1850,  as  taken  by  the  govern- 
ment, was  10.", 121,  an  increase,  since  1818,  of  91,57.3, 

Ac  the  congressional  elections  held  this  year,  Charles  Dur- 
kee,  Benjamin  C.  Eastman,  and  James  D.  Doty  were  elected 
members  of  Congress. 

By  an  act  of  Congress  approved  Sept.  28,  1850,  all  the 
swamp  and  overflowed  lands  in  the  State  were  donated  to  the 
State. 


268 


niSTORY  OF   WIBCOJiHIN. 


During  the  winter  and  spring  of  1851,  serious  apprehensions 
of  danger  Avcre  entertained  by  many  citizens  residing  north  of 
the  Wisconsin  River,  from  the  return  of  numerous  bands  of 
the  Winnebago  Indians  to  their  old  hunting-grounds  ;  and  the 
military  arm  of  the  State  was  strongly  solicited  to  protect 
our  people,  and  remove  them  from  the  State.  Gov.  Dewey, 
not  participating  in  these  alarms,  and  desirous  of  obtaining  cor- 
rect information  relative  to  tlie  presence  and  intention  of  these 
bands,  employed  an  agent  —  unknown  to  them,  and  acquainted 
with  their  character  —  to  visit  the  localities  occupied  by  them, 
for  the  purpose  of  persuading  them  to  leave  the  State,  and 
quiet  the  fears  of  the  people.  The  coui'se  jnirsued  practical!'' 
accomplished  the  desired  object.  This  nation  have  since  been 
nearly  all  removed  from  (he  State  bv  the  agent  of  the  General 
Government  employed  for  that  purpose  :  and  it  is  believed  that 
the  mode  adopted  ]>y  the  governor  at,  the  time  of  which  we 
are  speaking  was  effective. 

The  fourth  session  of  the  State  legislature  convened  at  the 
Capitol  Jan.  8,  1851,  and  adjourned  March  18,  1851,  after  a 
session  of  seventy  days.  In  the  senate,  Lieut.-Gov.  S.  W. 
Beall  was  jirosident,  V\'illiam  Hull  chief  clerk,  and  E.  D. 
Masters  sergeant-at-arnis.  In  tlie  assembly,  Frederick  W. 
Horn  wrts  chosen  speaker,  Alexander  T.  Gray  chief  clerk,  and 
Charles  M.  Kingslnu-y  sergeant-at-arms. 

Gov.  Dew( ;\ ,  in  his  message,  referred  to  the  death  of 
Pres.  Taylor ;  said  that  the  treasury  and  finances  of  the 
State  were  in  a  sound  condition ;  that  all  liabilities  autliorized 
by  law  to  be  paid  had  been  jiromptly  met,  with  a  surplus  at  the 
close  of  the  year ;  that  the  total  receipts  into  the  treasury  since 
the  organization  of  the  State  government  were  *1G0,218.53, 
and  tlie  expenditures  duriiig  the  same  period,  i?152,0G9.Gl ;  bal- 
ance in  the  treasury  J;mi.  1. 1851,  87.2-18.02;  that  the  estimated 
expenditures  for  1851  were  ^80,193.09.  He  recommended  some 
changes  in  the  assessment  of  taxes,  gave  full  statistics  of  the 
school  and  university  lands,  ^poke  of  the  necessity  of  a  state- 
prison,  and  the  sj-stcm  of  literary  exchanges  proposed  by  M. 
Yattemaro,  which  he  higlily  approved.  He  also  referred  to  the 
operations  of  the  Wisconsin  Marine  and  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany, which,  he  stated,  were  in  '•  derogation  of  the  express  pro- 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


2C9 


vision  of  its  charter,  the  constitution,  and  general  law  of  the 
State."  He  referred  to  the  question  of  "banks,  or  no  banks," 
which  was  to  be  introduced  for  legislative  action  at  the  succeed- 
ing session,  and  expressed  his  opinion  strongly  against  the 
banking  system.  He  also  referred  to  the  F'ugitive  Slave  Act, 
which  was  then  agitating  the  public  naind,  and  many  other  sub- 
jects of  minor  importance.  The  message  is  a  lengthy  docu- 
ment, and,  like  all  that  have  emanated  from  Gov.  Dewey's  pen, 
is  ably  and  carefully  prepared.  His  recommendations  were 
always  entitled  to  proper  consideration. 

The  first  important  measure  of  the  session  was  the  election 
of  a  United  States  senator  to  fdl  the  place  of  Hon.  Henry 
Dodge,  whose  term  of  office  expired  March  4.  In  a  juiuv  con- 
vention, held  Jan.  20,  a  ballot  was  taken,  and  Henry  Dodge  re- 
ceived sixty-nine  votes,  James  D.  Doty  seven,  Alexander  L. 
Collins  three  votes.  Gen.  Dodge  was  declared  elected  senator 
for  six  years,  from  March  4,  1831. 

On  the  26th  of  February,  the  two  houses,  in  convention, 
elected  A.  Hyatt  Smith,  Alonzo  Wing,  G.  Aigner,  and  J.  Duane 
Ruggles,  regents  of  the  State  University.  Among  the  important 
acts  of  the  session  was  one  providing  for  the  location  and  erec- 
tion of  a  state-prison,  —  a  matter  that  Gov.  Dewey  had,  in  his 
previous  message,  strongly  rcconunended. 

Tliree  commissioners  were  to  be  appointed  by  the  governor, 
wlin  should,  at  their  first  meeting,  decide  upon  all  sealed  com- 
munications, specifying  the  advantages  of  certain  localities,  ad- 
dressed to  them,  and  were  empowered  to  purchase,  or  accept  as 
a  donation,  on  the  part  of  the  Stiite  of  Wisconsin,  and  receive 
deeds  for  such  lands,  not  to  ^'xceed,  in  the  whole,  twenty  acres; 
one  of  their  number  to  be  acting  commissioner.  The  Board  was 
required  to  procure  plans  for  a  prison  to  accommodate  two 
liundred  prisoners,  with  separate  cells ;  such  jjlan  as  adopted  to 
be  apprjved  by  the  governor.  Ten  tliousaud  dollars  was  ap- 
propriated for  the  purpose  of  carrying  mto  effect  the  provisions 
of  the  act. 

By  this  law,  Messrs.  John  Bullen,  Jolm  Tu\lor,  and  A.  W. 
Worth,  were  appointed  commissioners  to  determine  the  best 
point  for  the  location  of  the  new  prison.  Tliey  examined 
Madison,  Pfirtland,  (Jcnesoo,  Iloricon,  Kaukauna,  and  Waupun; 


270 


HISTORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


and  on  the  4tli  of  July,  1851,  a  majority  of  the  comniissioner.s 
tlccided  to  lt)cate  at  Wuupun.  Seymour  Wileox  of  "\Vaui)un 
donated  twenty  acres  of  land  as  a  site  for  the  prison  building.s. 
On  the  21st  of  July,  1851,  a  contract  -was  made  witli  James  K. 
Smith  for  the  construction  of  the  main  upright  part  of  a  tempo- 
rary prison,  for  84,G00.  Tlie  conunissioners  estimated  the  sum 
necessary  to  continue  the  erection  of  a  state-piison,  and  pay 
indebtedness,  at  §25,000,  and  also  recommended  the  purchase 
of  an  additional  twenty  acres  for  the  prison  site. 

On  the  13th  of  Fehruurj-,  the  legislature,  in  convention, 
elected  D.  jM.  Loy,  Timothy  Burns,  and  Caleb  Croswell,  board 
of  public  works,  B.  S.  llenning  register  of  State  land-oflice,  and 
James  Murdoch  treasurer. 

The  judges  of  the  Su[)rcme  Court  on  the  IStli  of  June  elected 
lion.  Levi  IlubbcU  chief  justice  until  the  election  in  August, 
1842.  From  the  report  of  this  Board,  made  in  1852,  it  appears 
that  the  offices  of  the  register  and  receiver  of  the  State  land-office 
were  opened  March  20,  1851,  since  which  time  8,194.73  acres 
have  been  sold.  Amount  still  on  hand  belonging  to  the  im- 
provement, and  subject  to  entry,  30,231.21  acres;  amount  re- 
ceived for  quantity  sold,  810,303.59. 

There  were  four  hundred  and  seven  acts  passed,  two  joint 
resolutions,  and  fourteen  memorials  to  Congress.  Of  the  acts, 
seventj'-two  were  appropriation  bills,  ten  incorporating  colleges 
and  academies,  twenty-seven  charters  for  bridge  companies, 
eighteen  for  plank-road  companies,  twenty-seven  bridge  com- 
panies and  amendments  to  previous  charters,  fifty  incorporating 
cities,  towns,  and  villages,  sixteen  relative  t(j  counties,  seven- 
teen ferries  and  mill-dam,  thirty-six  State  and  town  roads,  tt'n 
railroad  charters  and  amendments  to  charters,  and  thirty  amend- 
ments to  revised  statutes.  A  joint  resolul  ion  of  the  legislature, 
rescinding  a  vote  of  censure  on  Hon.  I.  ]'.  Walker,  Uuitf  ■ 
States  senator,  March  31,  1849,  was  also  passed. 

In  relation  to  the  business  of  the  session,  one  newspaper  io- 
marks,  "  An  immense  lunnber  of  new  laws  have  been  ereatea, 
and  pretty  mucli  all  of  the  old  ones  altered  or  amended  in  some 
shape ;  so  that  the  presumption  that  every  one  knows  the  law 
is  rebutted  by  a  vio'  nt  susi)icion,  at  least,  that  they  do  not 
know  any  such  thing,     A  number  of  unimportant  ones  have 


272 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


been  passed.  The  principal  measure  of  the  session,  the  appor- 
tionment bill,  was  passed  on  the  last  day  of  the  session,  but  was 
vetoed  by  the  governor  as  unconstitutional.  A  bill  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  State  Caj)itol  was  also  vetoed." 

Tlie  trustees  of  the  Institution  for  the  Blind,  in  their  second 
annual  report,  stated  that  the  expenses  for  conducting  the  institu- 
tion for  the  year  ending  October,  1850,  was  81,830.  In  pursuance 
of  the  law  of  March  15,  1851,  they  had  caused  a  building  to  be 
erected,  twenty-six  feet  in  width  and  forty-two  feet  in  length, 
of  faced  stone,  wliich  would  accommodate  twenty  pupils.  Dur- 
ing the  year,  eight  pupils  were  in  attendance.  The  dormitory 
building  erected  for  the  State  University  was  completed  during 
that  year ;  and  the  ilrst  term  of  the  year  1851-52  was  opened  in 
the  new  edifice,  on  the  ITth  of  September. 

The  Democrat"  >  State  Convention  was  held  on  the  19th  of 
September,  1851 ,  id  the  following  persons  were  placed  in  nom- 
ination :  for  governor,  Don  A.  J.  Upham ;  lieutenant-govern- 
or, Tunothy  Bui-ns;  secretary  of  state,  William  A.  Barstow; 
treasurer,  Edward  Jannsen;  attorney-general,  Charles  Billing- 
hm'st ;  and  State  superintendent  of  schools,  Azel  P.  Ladd. 

The  Wlug  State  Convention  met  on  the  24th  of  September, 
and  nominated  for  governor,  Leonard  J.  Fjirwell ;  lieutenant- 
governor,  James  Hughes;  secretary  of  strte,  Robert  \V. 
Wright ;  treas^irer,  Jefferson  Crawford ;  attornej'-gejieral,  John 
C.  Trucsdell. 

At  the  general  election  in  November,  the  Democratic  ticket 
was  elected,  with  the  exctj)tioii  of  I).  J.  A.  Uplmm  for  gov- 
ernor. L.  J.  Farwell,  the  Whig  candidate,  had  a  majority  of 
560  votes. 


CHAl'TER  XXVI. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  GOV.  L.   J.   FARWELL. 


I 


Events  of    ISjJ  —  Governor's   MessaKe  —  Laiiil    Grant  Dillicuitiea  —  legislation 
Statistics  —  A  Cyclnpa^dia  of  Events  iluring  the  Year  1852. 

The  .admiuistration  of  Gov.  Leonard  J.  Farwell  commenced 
on  the  filth  day  of  January,  1852;  and,  m  accordance  with  the 
constitution,  the  legislature  met  on  the  14th  of  January,  at  the 
fifth  annual  session. 

Hon.  Timothy  Burns,  lieutenant-governor,  took  his  seat  as 
president  of  the  senate.  John  K.  Williams  was  elected  chief 
clerk,  and  Patrick  Cosgrove  sergeaiit-at-arms.  In  tlie  assem- 
bly, James  McMillan  Shaffer  was  elected  speaker,  Alexander 
T.  Gray  chief  clerk,  and  Elisha  Starr  ..jrgeant-at-arms.  The 
legislature  adjourned  April  19,  after  a  session  of  ninety-six  days, 
—  the  longest  ever  held  under  the  Territorial  or  State  organi- 
zation lip  to  this  date.  The  governor,  in  his  message,  says  that 
the  expenses  of  the  State  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  the  31st  of 
December,  1851,  provided  for  by  permanent  appropriations,  in- 
cluding sundry  prior  indebtedness,  was  $101,>i8o.l)8 ;  unpaid 
appropriations  and  salaries  for  1851,  $27,98").88 ;  and  the  esti- 
mated expenses  for  the  year  1852,  ®100,-283.-29.  Ho  said  that 
complaints  had  been  made  that  loans  of  the  school-fund  had,  in 
some  instai  es,  been  made  on  insuftiuient  securities,  and  recom- 
mended a  commission  to  make  examination  of  the  title  of  land 
mortgaged,  to  ascertain  whether  the  security  was  adoquato.  He 
also  made  the  foUowiiig  recommendations  :  to  nicmovialize  Con- 
gress to  cause  the  agricultural  lands  witlun  the  State  to  bo  sur- 
veyeil.  and  brought  into  market ;  to  cause  the  mineral  lands  in 
the  State  to  be  surveyed,  and  geologically  examined,  and  oft'eivd 
for  sale  ;  to  make  liberal  appropriations  for  the  improvement  of 

273 


374 


HISTORY  OF   WrSCONSlN. 


rivers  and  harbors.  The  question  of  "bank,  or  no  bank," 
having  been  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people,  and  decided  in 
favor  of  banks  by  a  largo  majority,  he  recommended  the  neces- 
sary measures  to  carry  into  effect  this  constitutional  provision, 
and  urged  tliat  every  safeguard  and  precaution  be  taken  for 
the  safety  of  the  bill-holder. 

Many  important  measures  were  introduced,  and  became  laws, 
—  a  larger  number  than  had  been  passed  at  previous  sessions. 
Some  five  hundred  and  four  bills  were  passed,  and  twenty-six 
memorials  to  Congress  adopted.  Among  other  acts  was  one 
for  the  completion  of  the  improvement  of  the  Fox  and  Wiscon- 
sin Rivers,  by  which  act  all  the  luisold  lands  granted  by  Con- 
gress, estimated  to  be  about  two  hundred  thousand  acres, 
should  be  selected,  and  brought  into  the  market  at  a  minimum 
price,  —  not  less  than  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  acre, — 
the  lands  to  be  disposed  of  as,  the  improvements  progressed ; 
or  "  so  much  of  said  lands  may  be  sold  as  will  produce  twenty 
thousand  dollars,  and  until  one-half  of  said  sum  shall  be 
expended,  when  a  further  sale  shall  be  made  to  le-imburse  the 
amount  expended ;  and  the  fact  of  such  expenditure  shall  be 
properly  certified  to."  This  bill  was  vetoed  by  the  governor, 
but  was  passed,  and  became  a  law,  by  a  majority  of  votes  of 
both  houses. 

An  act  was  passed  to  provide  for  the  organization  of  a  sepa- 
rate Supreme  Court,  and  for  the  election  of  justices  thereof ; 
providing,  that  on  the  last  Monday  of  September,  after  the  pas- 
sage of  the  act,  an  election  for  one  chief  justice  and  two  asso- 
ciate justices  should  be  had,  whose  term  of  office  should 
commence  on  the  first  day  of  June,  1853 ;  the  term  of  office  of 
the  chief  justice  to  expire  the  last  day  of  May,  1857,  associate 
justice  to  serve  until  May,  1855,  and  the  other  until  May,  1859 ; 
the  terms  of  the  two  latter  justices  to  be  decided  by  lot.  The 
salary  of  the  chief  justice  and  associates  was  fixed  at  two  thousand 
dollars.  A  bill  was  passed  to  provide  for  the  establishment  of  a 
commissioner  of  emigration  for  the  State,  in  the  citj'  of  New  York. 
The  salary  of  the  commissioner  was  fixed  at  fifteen  hundred  dol- 
lars, and  the  sum  of  $12.50  to  be  expended  in  printing  informa- 
tion of  the  State  in  the  English,  German,  and  other  languages 
for  gratuitous  circulation.    A  bill  was  passed  to  authorize  the 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


275 


business  of  banking ;  a  bank  comptroller  to  l>e  appointed,  after 
the  passage  of  the  law,  by  the  governor,  to  hold  his  office  for 
two  years,  with  a  deputy  comptroller,  who  should  provide  blank 
notes  to  be  engraved  and  printed,  and  who  should  deliver  the 
same  to  any  "  person,  or  association  of  persons,  formed  for  the 
purposes  of  banking  under  the  provisions  of  this  act,  on  llieir 
duly  assigning  and  transferring  in  trust  to  the  State  treasurer 
any  portion  of  the  public  stocks  of  the  United  States,  or  any 
State  stocks  on  which  full  interest  is  annually  paid,  said  stocks 
to  be  valued  at  the  average  rate  at  which  the  stocks  may  have 
been  sold  in  New  York  within  six  months  previous  to  the  time 
they  are  deposited  with  the  bank  comptroller."  By  the  provis- 
ions of  the  act,  railroad  bonds  of  the  State  would  be  received 
by  the  State  treasurer  in  lieu  of  public  stocks,  with  certain  pro- 
visos. An  act  was  passed  to  apportion  and  district  anew  the 
members  of  the  senate  and  assembly,  by  which  the  number  of 
the  members  of  the  legislature  was  increased  from  eighty-five 
to  one  hundred  and  seven.  Also  the  following :  a  bill  to  regulate 
licenses  for  the  sales  of  ardent  spirits,  one  to  quiet  tax  titles, 
one  to  borrow  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  on  the  faith  and 
credit  of  the  State  to  defray  extraordinary  expenditures,  and 
one  to  effect  the  completing  of  a  documentary  hi'itory  of  Wis- 
consin, and  Gen.  William  R.  Smith  of  Iowa  County  was  by  the 
act  appointed  to  compile  said  history.  Among  the  railroad 
incorporations  was  the  Milwaukee  and  La  Crosse  Company,  the 
doings  of  which  company  in  subsequent  years  was  the  occasion 
of  much  comment.  Of  the  number  of  bills  passed,  there  were 
thirty-one  plank-road  charters,  thirty  charters  for  railroads, 
villages  and  cities,  bridges  and  ferries,  eighteen  amendments  to 
general  and  session  laws,  eight  academies  incorporated,  twenty 
in  reference  to  counties,  nine  to  courts  and  legislation,  fifteen 
change  of  names  of  towns  and  individuals,  one  hundred  and 
ninety-two  appropriation  bills,  twenty  relating  to  schools  and 
school-lands,  and  others  not  enumerated. 

The  most  important  subject  acted  upon,  as  before  stated,  was 
the  bank  question.  The  people  had  by  a  large  majority  de- 
clared in  favor  of  banks ;  and  most  of  their  representatives  came 
to  the  Capitol  backed  by  positive  instructions  to  take  such  pre- 
liminary steps  as  would  secure  the  constitutional  establishment 


niSTORy  OF   WISCONSIN. 


of  such  institutions.  The  provision  of  the  bill  as  to  receiving 
railroad  bonds  ns  a  basis  for  security  of  the  circulating,'  niodiuni, 
it  was  thouffht  would  give  an  impetus  to  the  railroad  ciitcrijriscs 
of  the  State.  The  i)rovisi()n,  also,  of  individual  liability  was 
supposed  to  perfect  the  bill. 

The  trustees  of  the  Blind  Institution,  in  their  report,  stated 
that  the  building  proviiled  for  b3-  act  of  the  legislature  of  March 
15,  1851,  was  completed  in  May,  1852,  and  was  furnished 
throughout,  and  fitted  for  the  reception  of  pupils,  on  the  first 
of  June  in  that  year. 

The  judges  of  the  Supii-me  Court  on  the  7th  of  January,  1852, 
elected  Hon.  M.  M.  Jackson  chief  justice,  who  declined  the 
position,  when  Hon.  E.  V.  Whiton  was  (docted. 

On  the  15th  of  March,  P.  II.  Frame,  William  Richardson,  and 
A.ndrcw  Proudfit  were  elected  by  the  legislature  a  board  of 
public  works. 

The  Wisconsin  Institute  for  the  Education  of  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb  was  incorjjorated  by  act  of  the  legislature,  approved 
April  19,  and  was  located  on  a  valuable  and  eligible  site  near 
the  village  of  Delavan,  in  Walworth  County.  The  original 
site  of  ll-jVff  aeres  was  donated  to  the  State  by  ^Ir.  F.  K. 
Phcenix,  a  member  of  the  first  board  of  trustees ;  and  in  1857 
the  trustees  purchased  twenty-two  acres  of  land  lying  on  three 
sides  of  the  original  site.  The  organization  of  the  institution 
was  effected  in  June,  1852.  An  appropriation  of  a  thousand 
dollars  per  year  for  three  years  was  made,  and  a  contract  entered 
into  for  a  building  thirty-fotir  by  forty-four  feet  in  size,  cf  two 
stories  besides  the  basement  and  attic,  to  be  completed  b}"^  June, 
1854.  At  the  organization,  the  number  of  deaf-mutes  in  the 
State  was  a  hundred  and  seventy-five.  Eight  scholars  were 
then  in  attendance,  who  were  temporarily  cared  for  in  a  rented 
house. 

The  railroad  mania  in  Wisconsin  in  1S52  was  at  fever-heat. 
Engineers  were  engaged  in  surveying  roads  from  lieloit  to  Mad- 
ison, Janesville  to  Milwaukee,  Milwaukee  to  La  Crosse,  Chicago, 
Green  Ba}',  and  Fond  du  Lac,  from  Racine  to  the  Illinois  S  ate 
line;  and  their  speedy  construction  was  confidently  predicted. 

At  the  fall  elections  of  1852,  E.  V.  Whiton  Avas  elected  chief 
justice  of  the  Supn'iue  Coiu't,  and  Samuel  Crawford  and  A.  D. 


M.  R.  GAGE,  M.D. 


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278 


BIBTORT  OF  WiaCONSIN. 


Smith,  associates :  the  opposing  candidates  were  Charles  H.  Lar- 
rabee,  Marshall  M.  Strong,  and  James  H.  Knowlton.  B.  C. 
Eastman,  J.  B.  Maty,  and  Daniel  Wells,  jun.,  were  elected  mem- 
l^ers  of  Congress,  and  the  Democratic  electoral  ticket  chosen, 
which  electoi-s,  at  a  meeting  of  the  electoral  college,  afterwards 
gave  the  five  votes  of  Wisconsin  for  Franklin  Pierce  for  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  Statco. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


AD>nNISTBATION  OF  GOV.  L.  J.  FARWEIX. 


Eventa  of  1853  —  Legislation  —  Trial  of  Judge  Huhbell  —  State  Historical  Society 
Electiuu  Contest,  &c. 

The  sixth  session  of  the  legislature  convened  on  the  twelfth 
day  of  January,  1853,  and  adjourned  on  the  fourtli  day  of  April, 
until  the  sixth  day  of  June  following,  when  it  again  met,  and 
adjourned  tine  die,  on  the  18th  of  July ;  the  whole  length  of 
the  sessions  being  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  days.  In  the 
senate,  Hon.  Timoihy  Burns,  lieutenant-governor,  took  his  seat 
as  president.  J.  K.  Williams  was  elected  clerk,  and  Thomas 
Hood  sergeant-at-arnis.  In  the  assembly,  Henry  L.  Palmer  was 
elected  speaker,  Thomas  McIIugh  secretary,  and  Richard  F. 
Wilson  scrgeant-at-arms. 

Gov.  Farwell's  me^snge  was  a  short  one.  lie  ^ays,  "  that, 
during  the  past  season,  our  citizens  have  enjoyed  unusual  pros- 
perity in  ample  pioducls  and  remuneration  of  their  industry 
and  enteqirise,  abundant  harvests  and  high  niaikets,  and  a 
downward  tendency  in  rates  of  interest,  with  prevailing  confi- 
dence among  business  men  and  in  business  enterprises."  In 
reference  to  the  finances  of  the  State  he  says,  "  The  receipts 
into  the  general  fund,  from  Dec.  31,  1851,  to  Dec.  ."^l, 
1852,  were  8133,052.0-2,  and  tiie  disbursements,  $134,593.33  ; 
overpaid  from  this  fund,  $040.71.  The  estimated  expenses  and 
liabilities  to  be  defrayed  for  1853  were  $99,275.04,  an<l  the 
means  applicable  to  the  payment  of  the  same  estimated  at 
$118,557.65."  The  total  value  of  the  taxable  property  of  the 
State  at  this  date  was  $27,017,502.43.  The  report  of  the 
superintendent  of  public  instruction  gives  the  whole  number 
of  school-children,   in   1858,  as   x-±'*,783 ;   whole   amount  of 

27S 


280 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


money  received,  $127,718.42;  due  on  school-lands  sold,  $081,- 
931.71.  The  governor  also  refers  to  the  progress  of  work  on 
the  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi  Railroad,  and  tlie  importance  of 
having  the  general  banking-law  so  amended  as  to  prohibit, 
under  severe  penalties,  the  receiving,  paying  out,  or  passing  as 
money  in  this  State,  circulating  paper,  of  any  form  whatever, 
in  the  similitude  of  bank  paper,  by  any  person,  or  body  corpor- 
ate, that  is  not,  at  the  time  of  such  receiving,  paying  out,  or 
passing,  authorized  by  some  express  law  of  the  United  Staccs, 
or  one  of  the  United  States,  or  of  Canada ;  and  declaring  all 
contracts,  the  consideration  of  which,  in  whole  or  in  part, 
consists  of  such  circulating  paper,  absolutely  null  and  void  for 
any  purpose  whatever. 

At  this  session,  there  were  one  hundred  and  twelve  laws 
passed  of  a  general  nature,  and  four  hundred  and  nine  of  a 
private  and  local  character.  Of  the  first,  fourteen  were  in 
reference  to  counties,  sixteen  on  the  courts  of  the  State,  ten 
in  reference  to  school-lands  and  school-matters,  six  joint  resolu- 
tions, and  tweiiiy-four  memorials  to  Congress  generally  for 
postal  service.  Of  the  latter,  twelve  were  for  incorporation  of 
academies,  twenty-four  authorizing  towns  and  organizations  to 
perform  certain  acts,  nine  incorporating  and  amending  bridge 
charters,  eight  to  change  the  names  of  persons,  fourteen  for 
construction  of  dams,  fourteen  in  reference  to  ferries,  sixteen 
to  incorporate  insurance-companies,  ten  to  legalize  certain  acta, 
seven  charters  to  manufacturing-companies,  nineteen  acts 
relative  to  the  city  of  jNIilwaukee,  thirteen  mining-companies 
incorporated,  five  to  organize  certain  towns,  thirty-one  plank- 
road  charters,  foi'ty-five  chartering  and  amending  charters  to 
railroads,  ten  to  amend  session  laws,  thirt}'-five  to  lay  out  State 
roads,  and  five  in  reference  to  taxation. 

At  no  previous  session  of  the  legislature  had  as  many  local 
measures  been  enacted.  The  people  of  the  State  were  much 
interested  in  raih-oad  enterprises,  as  will  be  shown  by  the  large 
number  of  charters  granted.  On  the  28th  of  March,  the  two 
houses,  in  convention,  elected  John  Taylor  state-prison  com- 
missioner. IIu  was  subsequently  removed  by  the  governor,  and 
Henry  Brown  appointed  in  his  place.  Herman  Haertel  was 
elected  emigrant  commissioner;  R.  P.  Eighme,  register  of  State 


niBTORT  OF  WlSCONRtN. 


2S1 


land-oflBce  ;  James  Murdoch,  receiver ;  Charles  Dunn,  Rufus  C. 
Parks,  J.  K.  Williams,  and  Nelson  Dewey,  regents  of  the  State 
University ;  L.  M.  Miller,  Benjamin  Allen,  and  Andrew  Proud- 
fit,  commissioners  of  board  of  public  works. 

On  the  2Gth  of  January,  1843,  William  K.  Wilson  of  MU- 
waukeo  preferred  charges  in  the  assembly  against  Hon.  Levi 
Hubbell,  judge  of  the  second  judicial  circuit  of  the  State,  of 
divers  acts  of  corruption  and  malfeasance  in  the  discharge  of 
the  duties  of  his  office.  The  assembly  appointed  a  committee 
of  five  to  examine  the  same  ;  and,  on  the  2-ld  of  February,  they 
reported  that  they  had  the  same  under  consideration,  and  had 
taken  testimony  ujion  the  subject  of  said  charges,  and  the 
judicial  conduct  of  said  Judge  Levi  Hubbell ;  and,  upon  the 
proofs  so  taken,  found  that  the  said  Levi  Hubbell  had  been 
guilty  of  divers  acts  of  corruption  and  malfeasance  in  tlie 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  said  ofiicc,  as  set  forth  in  tho 
charges  and  specifications  against  him,  and  that  public  justice 
required  that  tho  said  Levi  Hubbell  should  be  removed  from 
his  said  ofiice  of  judge  of  the  second  judicial  circuit. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  a  resolution  Avas  adopted,  appointing 
a  committee  to  report  articles  of  impeachment,  and  that  "  said 
committee  are  hereby  directed  to  go  to  tho  senate,  and  at  the 
bar  thereof,  ainl  in  the  name  of  the  assembly  and  of  the  people 
of  the  State,  to  impeach  Levi  Hubbell,  judge  as  aforesaid,  of 
corrupt  conduct  and  malfeasance,  and  acquaint  the  senate  that 
the  assembly  will,  in  due  time,  exhibit  particular  articles  of 
impeachment  against  him,  and  make  good  the  same."  On  the 
22d  of  March,  the  committee  reported  that  they  had  performed 
the  duty  assigned  them.  On  the  2Gth  of  March,  a  joint  resolu- 
tion was  adopted,  that  "  the  two  houses  will,  on  the  4th  of 
April  next,  take  a  recess  until  the  Gth  of  June,"  at  which  date 
the  two  houses  re-assembled.  On  the  8th  of  June,  the  senate 
sent  a  message  to  the  assembly,  informing  them  that  they  were 
ready  to  proceed  wii>.  the  trial  of  Hon.  Levi  Hubbell  in  the 
senate-chamber. 

In  the  senate,  the  trial  of  the  impeachment  was  carried  on, 
on  the  part  of  the  State,  by  a  committee  of  the  assembly,  who 
secured  the  services  of  Edward  G.  Ryan,  Esq.,  as  attorney ;  and 
the  respondent  retained  Jonathan  E.  Arnold  and  James  H. 


282 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Knowlton,  Esqs.,  as  his  attorneys.  There  were  eleven  articles 
of  impeachment,  and  sixty-eight  specifications  to  the  same. 

Without  going  into  furtlier  details  of  this  trial,  which  created 
great  interest  throughout  the  State,  it  may  be  stated,  that  on 
the  9th  of  July,  after  a  full  trial,  the  senate  annovinced,  that 
judgment  had  been  taken  upon  all  the  articles  of  impeach- 
ment, and  upon  all  the  specifications  thereuiider  respectively; 
and  it  appeared  that  not  a  suflBcient  number,  according  to  the 
provisions  of  the  constitution,  had  voted  to  find  the  respondent 
at  the  bar  guilty  of  any  one  of  the  said  charges  and  specifica- 
tions. The  president  of  the  court  arose,  and  declared  that 
Levi  Hubbell,  judge  of  the  second  judicial  circuit  of  this 
State,  was  acquitted  of  all  the  charges  preferred  against  him 
by  the  Honorable  the  Assembly  of  Wisconsin,  in  their  several 
articles  of  imi)eachnient.     When  the  court  adjourned  ginc  die. 

Among  the  acts  of  a  general  nature  passed  at  this  session 
was  one  for  the  incorporation  of  the  State  Historical  Society 
of  Wisconsin.  The  object  of  the  society  was  to  collect,  era- 
body,  and  preserve  in  authentic  form,  a  library  of  books,  pam- 
phlets, maps,  charts,  manuscripts,  paintings,  papers,  statuary, 
and  other  materials  illustrative  of  the  history  of  the  State ;  to 
rescue  from  oblivion  the  memory  of  its  early  pioneers,  and  to 
obtain  and  preserve  narratives  of  their  exploits,  perils,  and  ad- 
ventures ;  to  exhibit  faithfully  the  antiquities  and  the  past  and 
present  condition  and  resources  of  Wisconsin  ;  to  promote  the 
study  of  liistory  by  lectures,  and  to  diffuse  and  publish  infor- 
mation relating  to  the  description  and  history  of  the  State. 
An  act  was  passed  to  provide  for  the  geological  survey  of  the 
State,  providing  that  the  governor  should  appoint  a  State 
geologist,  who  was  to  appoint  an  assisir.nt.  It  was  provided 
that  the  work  should  commence  in  that  portion  of  the  State 
known  as  the  "  Lead-mines,"  the  State  geologist  to  report 
to  the  governor  from  time  to  time  during  the  jirogress  of 
the  survey.  All  specimens  of  minerals  and  of  geology  were 
to  be  deposited  in  the  cabinet  of  the  State  University  ;  and  the 
sum  of  twenty-five  hundred  dollars  was  appropriated  atuiually, 
for  four  years,  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions  of  this  act. 

An  act  to  submit  to  the  people  the  question  of  a  prohibitory 
liquor  law  was  also  passed.   The  question  was  to  bo  voted  upon 


284 


nisTonr  of  wiscoNsiJf. 


at  the  general  election,  on  the  first  Monday  of  November ;  and 
also  an  act  to  provklo  for  the  punishment  of  murder  in  the 
first  degree,  and  to  abolish  the  penalty  of  deatli,  by  the  provis- 
ions of  which  the  penalty  of  murder  shall  be  imprisonment  in 
the  Stale-i)rison  during  the  life  of  the  person  convicted. 
Another  act  was  passed,  to  submit  the  question  to  the  people, 
to  hold  biciniial  sessions  of  the  legislature.  The  regents  of 
the  State  University  reported  that  the  foundation  of  the  second 
dormitory  building  had  been  carefully  protected  from  injury, 
and  asked  for  a  State  appropriation  of  fifteen  thousand  dol- 
lars to  complete  the  work  on  the  building ;  that  the  uni- 
versity grounds  had  been  suitably  enclosed,  and  about  seven 
hundred  trees  set  out.  Of  the  six  departments  of  instruction 
marked  out  bv  the  Board,  the  chair  of  ethics,  civil  polity,  and 
political  economy,  was  occupied  by  t  he  chancellor  ;  the  chair 
of  mathematics,  by  Prof.  John  W.  Sterling ;  (hat  of  ancient 
languages,  by  Prof.  O.  M.  Conover,  with  S.  II.  Carpenter  em- 
ployed as  tutor.  Prof.  E.  S.  Carr,  late  of  Castleton  Medical 
College,  had  been  elected  to  the  chair  of  chemistry  and  natural 
history. 

The  trustees  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institution  reported 
that  they  had  engaged  the  services  of  Louis  II.  Jenltins  as  prin- 
cipal ;  tliat  the  institute  building  had  been  put  lu'der  contract 
(a  brick  building  two  stories,  thirty-two  by  forty-four  feet  in 
size),  and  were  f;atisficd,  that,  when  completed,  it  would  bo 
inadequate  for  the  purpose.  They  asked  the  legislature  for 
an  appropriation  of  five  thousand  dollars  for  the  erection  of 
the  cast  transverse  wing  according  tu  the  plan  adopted  by 
the  Board,  and  approved  by  the  governor. 

The  report  of  the  bank  comptroller  showed  that  there  were 
twelve  banks  doing  business  under  the  general  banking-laws 
during  the  year  1853 ;  that  the  total  amount  of  circulating 
notes  issued  to  such  banks,  outstanding  on  the  81st  of 
January,  1854,  was  $593,000,  for  the  redemption  of  which, 
securities  had  been  assigned  to  the  State  treasurer,  amounting, 
in  the  aggregate,  to  $008,000. 

The  Annual  Report  of  the  State-prison  commissioners  showed 
the  number  of  convicts  confined  on  the  81st  of  December, 
1853,  to  have  been  sixty-one.    The  prison  building  oontaiued 


BISTOBY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


285 


but  sixty-HOven  cells,  showing  room  only  for  six  additional 
convicts.  Ho  also  rei)orted,  that,  on  the  14th  of  December,  he 
entered  into  a  contract  with  Andrew  Proudfit  for  doing  the 
mason-work  of  the  south  wing  of  the  main  building,  to  be  com- 
pleted by  Dec.  20,  1854,  upon  an  cnhirgcd  plan  of  the  Albany 
County  Penitentiary,  which  would  contain  280  cells.  The 
indebtedness  of  the  prison  on  the  Slst  of  December,  1853,  was 
$12,880.28. 

The  Democratic  State  Convention  was  held  on  the  9th  of 
September,  at  Madison,  when  the  following  persons  were  put  on 
nomination  for  State  oflBcers :  for  governor,  William  A.  Bar- 
stow;  lieutenant-governor,  James  T.Lewis;  secretary  of  state, 
Charles  D.  Robinson ;  state  treasurer,  Edward  II.  Janssen ; 
attorney-general,  George  B.  Smith ;  superintendent  of  public 
iastruction,  Hiram  A.  Wright ;  state-prison  commissioner,  A. 
W.  Starks ;  and  William  M.  Dennis,  bank  comptroller. 

On  the  13th  of  September,  the  Whig  State  Convention  was 
held,  which  nominated  Henry  S.  Baird  for  governor ;  Bertine 
Pinckney,  lieutenant-governor ;  J.  A.  Hadley,  secretary  of 
state ;  James  Maxwell,  treasurer ;  Orsamus  Cole,  attorney- 
general  ;  J.  G.  ^IcMynn,  LUiperintendent  of  schools  ;  B.  F.  Pixlcy, 
bank  comptroller ;  and  Elisha  Starr,  state  prison-commissioner. 

On  the  10th  of  October,  another  convention  Avas  called  by 
Free-soilcrs  and  others,  known  as  the  "  People's  Convention," 
at  WatertoAvn,  which  put  in  nomination  the  following  ticket : 
for  governor,  Leonard  J.  Farwell ;  lieutenant-governor,  Edward 
D.  Holton ;  secretaiy  of  state,  J.  A.  Hadley ;  treasurer,  Samuel 
D.  Hastings;  attorney-general,  James  H.  Knowlton  ;  superintend- 
ent of  public  instruction,  John  G.  McMynn ;  banlc  comptroller, 
James  S.  Baker ;  and  state-prison  commissioner,  Selah  Booth. 

Gov.  L.  J.  Farwell  declined  being  a  candidate  for  re-election : 
Edward  D.  Holton  was  substituted  in  his  place,  and  Bertine 
Pickney  for  lieutenant-governor.  At  a  subsequent  date,  James 
H.  Knowlton  decUned  the  nomination  of  attorney-general ;  and 
Orsamus  Cole  was  placed  on  the  ticket  in  his  place,  and  B.  F. 
Pixlcy  as  bank  compcroller,  vice  James  H.  Baker,  declined. 

Before  the  election  in  November,  the  nominees  of  the  Whig 
Convention  withdrew  their  names  as  candidates,  except  Henry 
S.  Baird  for  governor ;  and  the  Whigs  generally  united  mth 


286 


niSTOHY  OF  WiaCONSlS, 


the  Free-soilcrs,  and  those  dissatisfied  with  the  Democratic 
ticket,  in  voting  for  the  People's  ticket. 

The  official  vote  of  the  State  showed  the  following  figures : 
for  governor,  W.  A.  Barstow,  30,405 ;  E.  D.  Ilolton,  21,286 ; 
H.  S.  Baird,  8,304.  Lieutenant-governor,  J.  T.  Lewis,  82,176 ; 
B.  Pinckney,  28,878 ;  scattering,  270.  Secretary  of  State,  A. 
T.  Gray,  81,848;  J.  A.  Hadley,  23,599;  C.  C.  Sholes,  216. 
Treasurer,  E.  H.  Janssen,  81,992 ;  S.  D.  Hastings,  20,811,  James 
Maxwell,  2,778.  Attorney-general,  G.  B.  Smith,  81,706;  Or- 
samus  Cole,  23,776.  State  superintendent,  H.  A.  Wright, 
80,904 ;  J.  G.  McMynn,  23,061.  Bank  comptroller,  William  M. 
Dennis,  30,760 ;  B.  F.  Pixley,  24,368 ;  scattering,  211.  The 
vote  on  the  prohibitory  liquor  law  was,  for  the  law,  27,519 ; 
against  it,  24,109.  There  was  no  party  issues  particularly 
involved  in  this  election.  The  issues  were  all  confined  to  ques- 
tions of  State-policy.  The  prohibitory  liquor  law  was  promi- 
nently discussed  in  the  canvass. 

In  April,  185S,  Gov.  Farwell  appointed  Edward  Daniels 
State  geologist;  and  the  latter  selected  IL  A.  Teimey  as 
assistant. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

ADMIKISTBATION  OF  GOV.   BARSTOW. 

EvenUof  1804  — liOp^Mation—KewRpaper  Criticisms  on  the  T.cgislaturo  — Great 
Kxcitement  in  Milwaukee  and  lUclne  over  a  Fugitive  Blavo  — Hia  Arrest  and 
Capture  — Litigation—  The  School  Board  Fraud. 


On  the  second  day  of  January,  1854,  the  administration  of 
the  State  government  passed  from  the  hands  of  one  set  of  men 
to  those  of  another,  and  this  without  parade,  military  display,  or 
ostentatious  demonstration.  In  the  morning,  Leonard  J.  Far- 
well  called  at  the  room  of  William  A.  Barstow,  governor-elect, 
and,  after  exchange  of  friendly  greetings,  informed  him  that  he 
was  ready  to  commit  to  his  hands  the  high  trusts  of  the  State  at 
twelve,  M.  The  State  officers  elect  repaired  to  the  Executive 
office,  accompanied  hy  most  of  the  retiring  officers,  and  many 
citizens,  when  the  oath  of  office  was  administered  by  Judge  N. 
B.  Eddy  to  all,  except  Lieut.-Gov.  James  T.  Lewis,  who  was 
absent.  George  P.  Delaplaine,  Esq.,  who  had  been  private 
secretary  to  Govs.  Tallmadge,  Dodge,  and  Dewey,  was  re-ap- 
pointed to  that  position. 

The  seventh  session  of  the  legislature  convened  on  the  11th 
of  January,  1854,  and  adjourned  on  the  8d  of  April,  after  a  ses- 
sion of  eighty-three  days.  Lieut.-Gov.  J.  T.  Lewis  was  presi- 
dent of  the  senate,  Samuel  G.  Bugh  was  elected  secretary,  and 
J.  M.  Sherwood  sergeant-at-arms.  In  the  assembly,  Frederick 
W.  Horn  was  elected  speaker,  Thomas  McHugh  chief  clerk, 
and  William  H.  Gleason  sergeant-at-arms.  Gov.  Barstow  in 
his  message  referred  to  the  luusual  health,  and  unparalleled 
prosperity  of  the  people  of  the  State,  saying  that  every  branch 
of  industry  had  prospered,  the  internal  improvements  conduct- 
ed by  private  enterprise  had  steadily  progressed,  and  were  mani- 

287 


288 


HISTORY  Of   W I  SCON  BIS. 


festing  tlicir  importance  by  substantial  boncflts  to  the  people.  IIo 
referred  to  the  death  oi  Hon.  William  R.  Kinp,  Vice-President 
of  the  United  States,  recommended  a  change  in  the  system  of 
county  governments,  and  gave  an  exhibit  of  the  condition  of 
tlio  treasury  for  the  year  18ij3:  general  fund,  $152,505.32  ;  prin- 
cipal of  school  fund,  15(07,704.70  ;  principal  of  university  fund, 
$11,095.47  ;  income  of  school  and  university  fund,  1580,207.00. 
The  disbursements  were,  general  fund,  §100,780.04 ;  school 
funds,  loans,  and  in'^ome,  ijl89,795.55 ;  university  fund  and 
income,  83,90».04 ;  ..verpayments  of  general  fund,  88,281.32. 
The  secretary  of  staii  estimated  the  probable  amount  to  bo 
drawn  Iron,  the  treasury  during  the  year  1854  for  the  general 
expenses  of  the  State  at  8147,210.70,  and  the  means  applicable 
to  'neet  the  same  ;  viz..  State  tax  (six  mills  on  the  dollar), 
$150,000;  arroaraget.  due  from  counties,  89,332.74;  and  mii>- 
cellaneous,  87,085 :  total,  8100,017.74.  He  referred  to  the 
vote  on  the  prohibitory  licpior  law,  and  suggested  such  legis- 
lation as  would  subserve  the  true  interests  of  the  State.  The 
State  superintendent  of  schools  reported  that  there  had  been 
expended  in  the  erection  of  schoolhouses  ■j<289,34G.89,  of  which 
$45,071.84  were  expended  in  1853,  and  that,  of  the  forty-live 
counties  in  the  State,  reports  had  been  received  from  thirty-nine. 
The  whole  number  of  school-<listricts  reported  in  the  State  was 
2,072  and  parts  of  districts,  932  ;  number  of  children  over  four 
and  under  twenty  years,  138,279 ;  increase  over  preceding 
year,  13,490.  The  amount  expended  for  schools  in  1853  was 
$175,134.17. 

Among  other  bills  passed  at  this  session  was  one  for  the  eon- 
strnction  of  the  south  wing  of  the  State-prison  (and  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars  were  appropriated  for  that  pvupose) ;  one  to 
prohibit  the  circulation  of  unauthorized  bank-paper ;  one  to  pro- 
vide for  a  State  lunatic  asylum,  commissioners  to  be  appointed, 
who  were  to  select  and  purchase  not  less  than  one  hundred 
acres  of  land,  and.  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  governor, 
to  cause  to  be  ereited  suitable  buildings  for  the  use  of  said  insti- 
tution, to  be  constructed  in  accordance  with  the  plan  of  the 
Worcester  Hospital  for  Insane.  The  sum  of  fifteen  thousand 
dollars  was  appropriated  to  defray  expenses  inciuTcd  under  tho 
provisions  of  this  act.    As  will  eventually  be  seen,  this  act  was 


lo 

lit 

of 
of 


290 


HISTORY  OF  WISCOtfS/lf. 


repealed,  and  the  work  commenced  on  the  building  discon- 
tinued. An  act  to  amend  Chapter  19  of  the  Revised  Statutes, 
and  to  compile  the  school-laws  of  the  State ;  an  act  to  provide 
for  international  literary  exchanges  with  Alexander  Vattemare 
of  Paris,  providing  that  fifty  copies  of  such  Slate  publications 
as  may  be  designated  by  the  governor  be  procured  annually, 
until  otherwise  provided,  and  sent  him,  under  the  directioii  of 
the  governor,  and  through  the  medium  of  the  State  Historical 
Society.  The  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  per  annum  was  appro- 
priated to  defray  the  expenses  of  transmission  of  such  books  and 
exchanges,  and  a  bill  providing  for  a  final  settlement  with  the 
Milwaukee  and  Rock  River  Canal  Company.  There  were  one 
hundred  general  laws  passed,  six  joint  resolutions,  and  thirty- 
five  memorials ;  three  hundred  and  thirty-seven  laws  of  a  pri- 
vate and  local  character,  of  which  eleven  were  relative  to  acad- 
emies, twenty-four  counties  and  county-seats,  ten  authorizing 
the  erection  of  dams,  five  for  ferries,  six  insurance-companies 
and  four  iron  companies  chartered,  thirteen  relative  to  the  city 
of  Milwaukee,  twentj'-five  cliarters  and  amendments  to  rail- 
roads, thirty-three  phmk-roud  charters,  forty-five  for  State 
roads,  ten  on  schools,  nine  for  extending  the  time  for  collection 
of  taxes,  and  a  large  number  of  appropriation  bills. 

Of  the  business  of  the  session,  there  appears  to  have  been  a 
diversity  of  ojjinion  as  to  the  merits  of  the  bills  passed,  and  the 
refusal  of  the  legislature  to  pass  otliors  which  were  before  that 
body  for  consideration.  One  newspaper,  referring  to  the  legis- 
lature, says,  "  The  session  has  b^en  much  longer  than  was  anti- 
cipated, and  its  expenditures  much  greater  than  could  have  been 
expected  at  its  beginning,  exceeding  those  of  the  preceding  ses- 
sion, although  quite  an  amount  was  appropriated  to  pay 
.expenses  incurred  by  the  impeachment  trial.  The  people  worked 
.confidently  for  a  prohibitory  liquor  law,  as  there  was  a  majority 
,of  the  vote  of  the  people  in  favor  of  it  at  the  election  of  1853. 
A  bill  for  a  more  equitable  system  of  assessment  and  taxation, 
tine  to  protect  the  extortionate  and  illegal  fees  which  it  was 
claimed  the  commissioner  of  school  and  university  lands  exacted 
from  purchasers,  and  one  providing  for  the  creation  of  the  oflico 
rf  State  auditor,  to  protect  the  State  against  numerous  unjuf  t 
iind  exorbitant  claims  which  are  liable,  without  such  an  officer, 


mSTORY  OF  WISCONSIIf. 


291 


to  pass  the  legislature  without  due  investigation,  were  de- 
feated." 

Another  paper  says,  "The  great  majority  of  the  assembly 
were  elected  on  the  '  Maine  Law '  issue.  They  were  good  and 
honest  men.  They  had,  however,  an  eye  single  to  the  end  of 
passing  that  law ;  and  their  zeal  and  their  imcompromising  ear- 
nebtness  blinded  them  as  to  the  best  way  to  accomplish  this 
object.  They  were  elected  to  pass  some  kind  of  a  prohibitory 
litjuor  law,  and  would  take  none  but  the  one  modelled  upon  their 
first  crude  and  uud igested  idea  of  one.  When  that  was  defeated, 
they  declared  that  their  responsibility  no  longer  existed,  and 
they  would  have  no  law.  Take  it  all  in  all,  it  has,  perhaps,  done 
as  well  a .  the  majority  of  legislatures  do,  neither  worse  nor  bet- 
ter. Government  is  an  evil  at  best,  and  only  tolerable  so  far  as 
necessary  to  insure  order,  tu  protect  right,  and  to  regulate  soci- 
ety." 

There  was  a  great  excitement  in  Milwaukee  and  Racine  in 
the  early  part  of  March  of  this  year,  growing  out  of  the  first 
case  under  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  in  Wisconsii;.  From  the 
newspapers  we  have  a  brief  statement  of  the  facts  connected 
therewith.  A  colored  man  named  Joshua  Glover  had  been  for 
some  time  employed  in  the  mill  of  St.  Claire  and  Rice,  neai' 
Racine.  He  was  the  slave  of  B.  S.  Garland  of  Missouri,  and 
who,  hearing  of  his  whereabouts,  came  on,  procured  a  process  in 
the  United-States  District  Court,  and,  with  the  assistance  of 
Deputy  Marshals  Cotton  and  Carney,  proceeded  to  the  shanty 
of  Glover  to  make  the  arrest.  They  found  him,  with  three  or 
four  other  colored  men,  playing  cards.  The  .M.i'shal  and  liis 
posse  knocked  at  the  dcor  of  the  shanty.  One  of  the  negroes 
inside  ipened  the  door,  and  admitted  them.  As  they  proceeded 
to  arreat  Glover,  he  made  some  demonstrations  of  resistance, 
when  Marshal  Cotton  presented  a  pistol.  Glover  raised  his 
hand  either  to  ward  it  off,  or  to  snatch  it,  when  Marshal  Carney 
struck  him  with  a  club  that  knocked  him  down.  He  was  then 
secured,  and  placed  into  a  wagon,  Avhen,  with  his  captors,  he  was 
started  oflf  to  the  southward,  for  the  purpose  of  misleading  the 
mob  wliich  they  expected  after  them.  After  travelling  south  a 
few  miles,  they  struck  off  to  the  west,  and  reached  Milwaukee 
by  a  circuitous  route,  at  about  tluee  o'clock  ou  Saturday  morn- 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


iiig,  and  lodged  Glover  in  tlie  county  jail.  In  the  mean  time, 
alarm  liad  been  given  in  llucino  by  a  negro  present  at  the 
arrest,  and  searches  were  instituted  in  various  directions  for  the 
officers  and  fugitive.  As  soon  as  it  became  known  in  ]\Iihvau- 
kee  that  a  fugitive  was  in  tlic  jail,  that  building  was  surrounded 
with  peo^ile,  and  a  great  excitement  ensued.  Lawyers  set  to 
work  to  devise  some  plan  for  releasing  the  prisoner  by  legiti- 
mate means.  A  writ  of  Juibeas  corpus  was  applied  for  by  Gen. 
Paine,  which  Avas  issued  by  Judge  Jenkins,  county  judge  of 
Milwaukee,  and  a  telegrapliic  despatch  was  also  sent  to  lvacin(3 
for  a  warrant  to  arrest  the  men  who  had  assaulted  and  beaten 
him  in  the  shanty.  ^Meanwliilc  the  thousands  congi-egated 
about  the  court-house  and  jail  were  called  to  order,  a  meeting 
organized,  addresses  calculated  to  fan  the  flame  of  indignation 
already  kindled  were  made,  and  resolutions  passed  asserting  the 
right  of  every  person  to  a  habeas  corpus  and  a  trial  by  jurj-.  A 
vigilance  committee  Avas  appointed  to  sec  that  the  fugitive  was 
not  secretly  taken  away.  A  writ  of  hah"as  corpus  was  got  out 
by  the  negro's  counsel,  C.  K.  Watkins,  Esq.,  and  served  upon 
the  United  States  marshal.  This  was  about  five  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon.  About  this  time,  the  steamer  from  the  South  landed 
nearly  a  hundred  men  from  Ilacine,  who  marched  in  solid  pha- 
lanx to  the  jail.  The  excitement  of  the  multitude  Ijccamc  over- 
powering. Demands  for  the  prisoner  ■\\erc  made,  and,  on  refusal 
to  comply,  the  door  of  the  jail  was  attacked  with  axes,  plaidcf., 
'  &c.,  broken  in,  the  negro  rescued,  put  in  a  wagon,  and  driven 
towards  Racine.  An  attempt  to  call  out  the  militia  proved  a 
failure. 

The  steamer  also  brought  the  sheriff  of  Racine  County,  who 
arrested  Garland  and  his  accomplices  for  assault  and  battery. 
A  Avrit  of  habeas  corjncs  was  issued  from  the  United  States  Dis- 
trict Court.  An  understanding  was  finally  entered  into,  that 
Garland  should  be  forthcoming  on  Monday  morning,  and  he  was 
left  Avith  the  United  States  marshal,  to  bo  delivered  over  at  that 
time. 

Such  was  the  termination  of  the  first  attempt  in  Wisconsin  to 
enforce  the  Fugitive  Slave  LaAV.  Sherman  M.  Booth,  editor  of 
the  "  Milwaukee  Free  Democrat,"  took  an  active  part  in  the 
rescue  of  Glover ;  and  on  the  8th  of  July,  the  grand  jury  of  the 


niBTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


298 


United  States  District  Court  found  a  true  bill  of  indictment 
upainst  him,  with  two  others,  for  being  engaged  iw  tliis  case. 
On  tlie  27 tl)  of  IMay,  1854,  while  Mr.  Booth  was  in  confinement 
in  charge  of  the  United  States  marshal,  he  made  application  to 
Justice  A.  D.  Smith  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Wisconsin,  in 
vacation,  for  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  and  a  release  from 
imprisonment.  This  application  was  brought  before  the  Su- 
preme Court  at  its  Jimc  session ;  and  on  the  19th  of  July  the 
decision  was  given.  Each  of  the  judges  read  an  elaborately  pre- 
pared opinion  on  both  the  purely  technical  points  at  issue  and  on 
the  constitutionality  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  of  1850.  Chief- 
Justice  Wliiton  disagreed  with  the  opinion  of  Judge  Smith  as 
to  the  power  of  Congress  to  legislate  upon  the  subject,  but 
agreed  with  him  that  the  law  was  constitutional,  inasmuch  as  it 
conferred  judicial  powers  on  court  commissioners,  and  deprived 
the  alleged  fugitive  of  a  right  of  trial  by  jury.  Judge  Crawford 
read  an  able  opinion,  in  which  he  held  that  power  to  legislate 
upon  the  subject  was  possessed  by  Congress  and  the  States  con- 
currently. The  reasons  urged  on  the  subject  of  the  judicial 
powers  of  the  commissioners  were  not,  he  said,  suflScient  to  cre- 
ate in  his  mind  a  belief  that  the  law  was  unconstitutional.  He 
considered  the  case  of  a  fugitive  slave  as  analogous  to  the  case 
of  a  fugitive  criminal,  and  that  a  trial  by  jury,  not  being  pro- 
vided for  the  claim  of  the  owner,  did  not  invalidate  the  law. 
Judge  Smith  also  read  an  opinion  affirming  the  previous  position 
assumed  by  him  on  the  unconstitutionality  of  the  law.  The  court 
were  unanimous  in  the  opinion  that  Booth  was  entitled  to  his 
discharge  on  the  ground  of  irregularity  in  the  warrant.  The 
further  history  of  this  case,  as  found  in  the  judicial  records,  will 
be  referred  to  hereafter. 

Among  the  matters  that  took  place  this  j^ear  (1854)  waa 
one  that  created  much  excitement  throughout  the  State,  and 
had  tlie  effect,  indirectly  with  subsequent  events,  to  materially 
injure  the  Democratic  party  then  in  power.  The  following  ia 
believed  to  be  the  history  of  what  is  known  as  the  "  School- 
Land  Fraud."  In  April,  1854,  the  leading  Democratic  paper, 
"  The  Argus  and  Democrat,"  announced  as  authority  that  all 
the  scliool-lands  subject  to  entry  were  purchased  on  the  20th 
of  April  at  the  appraised  value.    The  amount  included  all  in 


294 


HTSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


the  market  of  the  IGth  Section,  and  five  hundred  thousand 
acre  tract.  James  Liidington,  president  of  the  Bank  of  the 
West,  was  the  purchaser.  In  reply  to  another  ncAVspapcr's  com- 
ments on  this  sale,  this  paper  took  issue  as  to  the  numher  of 
acres  included  in  the  purchase,  and  stated  the  amount  to  be 
about  one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  acres,  instead  of  over  a 
million,  as  had  been  published.  Mr.  Chapman,  casliicr  of  the 
Bank  of  the  West,  stated  that  the  amount  would  be  from  one 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  to  two  hundred  thousand  acres. 

On  the  1st  of  June  following,  it  was  announced  that  the 
parties  interested  had  said  "they  never  intended  to  take  all 
these  lands,"  they  should  take  what  they  considered  desirable, 
and  leave  the  rest.  The  commissioners,  in  a  published  state- 
ment of  May  19,  state  that  Mr.  Ludington  made  application  to 
purchase  seventy  thousand  acres  of  school-land,  and  was  in- 
formed that  such  an  amount  would  probably  comprise  nearly 
all,  or  quite  all,  that  there  Avas  in  the  market ;  and  he,  in  reply, 
stated  he  would  take  all  there  was  for  sale,  and  requested  the 
papers  to  be  made  out.  A  thorough  investigation  of  the  books 
in  the  land-oiEce  showed  that  the  amount  still  for  sale  Avas 
greater  than  was  estimated ;  but  the  fact  was  not  discovered 
until  some  weeks  after  the  application  was  made,  as  it  took  that 
length  of  time  to  make  the  examination. 

It  was  confidently  affirmed  by  some  parties,  that  no  one  was 
allowed  to  enter  any  lands,  as  the  agents  of  Mr.  Ludington  were, 
through  their  agents,  selecting  the  lands ;  and,  until  his  pur- 
chase was  completed,  others  would  have  to  Avait.  On  being 
informed  of  the  amount  of  lands  on  sale  exceeding  seventy 
thousand  acres,  Mr.  l^udington  remarked  that  he  would  take 
the  quantity  applied  for  as  above,  and  would  jiay  for  it  accord- 
ing to  the  rules  of  the  land-office.  According  to  Section  32  of 
the  Revised  Statutes,  everj'  person  making  application  for  the 
purchase  of  any  school  or  university  lands  should  produce  to 
the  secretary  of  state  an  application  in  Avriting,  describing  the 
tract  or  lot  Avhich  he  proposed  to  purchase  by  the  proper 
number  of  the  section,  toAvnship,  and  range,  and  the  subdivis- 
ion of  the  section,  and  his  name  subscribed  thereto,  Avhich 
application  the  secretary  Avas  to  file  and  preserve  in  his  office. 
Tht  commissioners  claimed  that  they  acted  in  good  faith ;  that 


2na 


HISTORY  OF   WTHCOaSIN. 


Mr.  Ludington,  after  receiving  the  lists  prepared  by  the  office, 
proceeded  to  select  about  seventy  thousand  acres,  and  the 
remaining  lands  were  put  again  in  the  market  as  rapidly  as  ho 
could  make  selections,  and  the  certificates  could  be  prepared 
for  him,  and  the  lands  entered  in  his  name  on  the  books;. that 
no  favoritism  had  been  shown  him,  and  that  he  was  treated  in 
all  respects  ars  other  purchasers,  and  in  accordance  with  the 
lawd  of  the  State.  It  was  claimed,  on  the  other  side,  that  while 
I,Ir.  Ludington  may  have  deposited  money  to  cover  all  the  pay- 
ments required,  a  general  deposit  of  money  on  a  blank  appli- 
cation was  illegal  and  void;  and  that  other  parties  desirous 
of  purchasing,  I'or  actual  improvement  found  the  land-office 
doors  closed  against  them,  and  the  officers  helping  a  speculator 
make  his  application  from  their  books ;  and  that  such  a  sale 
was  an  outrage  on  the  people,  and  should  not  have  been  per- 
mitted by  those  Avhose  duty  it  was  to  protect  the  people  in 
their  rights,  and  that  the  best  interests  of  the  State  were  seri- 
ously injured  thereby. 

The  ]\Iilwaukee  and  Mississippi  Railroad  Company  completed 
their  road  as  far  as  ^ladison,  in  the  month  of  May;  and  on 
the  23d  a  great  celebration  was  held  at  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment. The  opening  of  this  road  gave  an  impetus  to  emigra- 
tion, and  to  the  development  of  the  countrj'.  When  it  is 
remembered,  that,  before  this  road  was  commenced,  all  the  grain 
raised  in  tliis  section  of  the  State  had  to  be  drawn  to  Milwau- 
kee by  teams,  and  that  tlie  expenses  on  the  road  often  absorbed 
the  price  received  therefor,  it  will  be  seen  that  it  was  a  cause 
of  congratulation  that  such  an  easy  and  cheap  mode  of  trans- 
portation was  available.  In  the  summer  of  1854,  Piof.  E. 
Daniels,  State  geologist,  was  superseded  by  Dr.  J.  G.  Percival, 
by  appointment  of  Gov.  Barstow. 

At  the  election,  in  November,  1854,  C.  C.  Washburn,  Charles 
Billingiiurst,  and  Daniel  Wells,  jun.,  were  elected  members  of 
Congress  from  this  State. 

Mr.  Ilaertel,  commissioner  of  emigration,  in  his  report  says 
he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  office  on  the  first  of  ]May, 
1853,  and  appointed  John  A.  Byrne  his  assistant ;  that  he  had 
prepared  a  seriei.  of  articles  descriptive  of  Wisconsin,  and  its 
desirability  as  a  place  of  residence  in  an  agricultural  point  of 


nrSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


297 


view,  its  valuable  mines,  and  inducements  to  emigrants  to 
emigrate  to  tliis  State.  lie  received  three  hundred  and  seven- 
teen letters  within  eight  montlis,  making  definite  inquiries. 
During  the  same  period,  three  thousand  j)er::ons  visited  his 
office  at  New  York  City,  of  whom  two  tliousand  came  from 
Europe.  The  visitors  were  mostly  Germans.  Some  thirty 
thousand  of  these  pamphlets  were  distributed,  and  sent  abroad. 
It  is  computed  that  the  nimiber  of  Germans  arriving  in  Wis- 
consin in  1853  was  between  sixteen  thousand  and  eighteen 
thousand;  number  of  Irish  between  four  thousand  and  five 
thousand ;  and  the  whole  number  of  emigrants  to  the  State, 
from  fifteen  thousand  to  thirty  thousand.  In  tlie  year  1854, 
some  fifteen  thousand  Norwegians  and  Swedes  came  to  Wis- 
consin. They  have  maintained,  at  their  own  expense,  an  agent 
at  Quebec,  who  attends  to  their  transportation  and  location  in 
the  United  States. 

The  regents  of  the  State  University,  in  their  report,  stated 
that  the  second  dormitory  building  will  be  completed  during 
the  present  season.  Prof.  S.  P.  Lathrop  of  lieloit  College  Avas 
added  to  the  faculty  as  professor  of  chemistry  and  natural 
history  in  February;  and,  in  September,  Daniel  Read  was 
elected  professor  of  mental  philosophy,  rhetoric,  and  English 
literature,  though  he  did  not  enter  upon  the  discharge  of  liis 
duties  until  August,  1855. 

Reference  lias  been  made  to  the  passage  of  a  law  for  the 
construction  of  a  building  for  a  hospital  for  the  insane.  In 
pursuance  of  this  law.  Gov.  Barstow  appointed  S.  G.  Bugh,  D. 
S.  Vittum,  and  A.  S.  Sanborn  commissioners ;  and  Dr.  George 
R.  McLane  was  appointed  superintendent.  The  commissioners, 
on  the  9th  of  August,  caused  to  be  published  a  notice  for  pro- 
posals for  furnishing  materials  and  doing  the  work  for  the 
erection  of  the  lunatic  asylum  building,  or  such  a  portion 
thereof  as  the  governor  and  commissioners  might  deem  advisa- 
ble to  have  erected ;  proposals  to  be  received  and  opened  on 
the  20th  of  October,  which  was  subsequently  postponed  until 
the  first  day  of  November,  and  the  reception  of  the  same  until 
Oct.  20. 

From  the  report  of  a  committee  of  the  legislature  in  1855, 
it  appears  that  two  separate  proposals  were  received  by  the 


208 


iiisTonr  OF  n'iscoxsm. 


coramiasioncrs,  on  or  about  the  thirty-firtit  clay  of  October,  1854, 
one  of  Avhich  proposals  was  signed  by  Andrew  Proudfit,  and 
the  other  by  Lamar  and  Ilesley,  dated  Oct.  31,  on  which  last 
day  the  contract  for  the  erection  of  the  building  was  awarded 
to  Andrew  Proudfit,  and  the  work  was  commenced.  Upon 
the  assembling  of  the  legislature  of  1855,  however,  the  ques- 
tion was  raised  as  to  whether  the  commissioners  had  acted  in 
conformity  to  the  law,  either  in  respect  to  the  plan  of  the 
building,  the  cost  of  construction,  or  the  manner  of  letting 
the  contract ;  and  the  whole  subject  was,  as  before  alluded  to, 
referred  to  a  select  committee. 

The  committee  made  a  voluminous  report,  and  found  that 
the  plan  adopted  by  the  commissioners  was  much  more  exten- 
sive than  had  been  authorized,  and  bore  no  particular  resem- 
blance to  the  Worcester  (Mass.)  Asylum,  which  the  legislature 
had  adopted  as  a  pattern.  They  also  found  that  the  work  had 
been  contracted  by  the  piece,  with  no  footings  or  statement  of 
the  aggregate  amount ;  and,  consequently,  the  total  amount  for 
which  the  State  Avould  be  liable  under  the  contract  was  entirely 
uncertain.  The  committee  procured  the  assistance  of  archi- 
tects and  builders,  who  made  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  the 
proposed  structure,  upon  the  basis  of  the  rates  agreed  upon 
in  tlie  contract ;  and  the  result  of  their  figures  was  8452,140.42, 
while  the  cost  of  the  Worcester  Asylum,  to  which  they  were 
limited,  was  less  than  $100,000.  The  result  of  the  investiga- 
tion was,  that  the  legislature  annulled  the  contract.  Mr. 
Proudfit  had  expended  827,102.20  on  the  work  when  it  was 
suspended. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


ADMINISTRATION  OP  GOV.  DARSTOW. 


Events  of  18S3  — Legislation  — General  Progress  of  Private  and  Public  Affairs. 

The  eighth  session  of  the  State  legislature  assembled  at  the 
capital  on  the  10th  of  January,  1855,  and  adjourned  April  2, 
after  a  session  of  eighty-three  days.  In  the  senate,  Lieut.-Gov. 
James  T.  Lewis  presided  ;  S.  G.  Bugh  was  elected  chief  clerk, 
and  William  H.  Gleason  sergeant  at  arms.  In  the  assembly,  C. 
C.  Sholes  was  elected  speaker,  David  Atwood  chief  clerk, 
and  William  Blake  sergeant-at-arms.  The  Republican  party 
had  been  organized  in  the  preceding  year,  and  a  majority  of 
the  assembly  were  of  that  party. 

Gov.  Barstow,  in  his  message,  opens  with  an  appropriate 
reference  to  the  results  of  the  past  year  as  affording  reasons 
for  the  people  of  the  State  to  indulge  in  congratulations  to  an 
extent  never  before  warrantable  ;  that  there  was  a  balance  of 
$22,967.47  in  the  State  treasury  on  the  1st  of  January,  and 
that  the  secretary  of  state  estimated  the  amount  necessary  to 
be  drawn  from  the  treasury  during  the  following  year,  to  meet 
accruing  liabilities,  at  $253,059.52,  to  meet  which  the  resources 
of  the  State  were  estimated  at  $288,829.91 ;  that  the  expenses 
of  the  State  for  the  previous  year,  exclusive  of  the  accounts  of 
the  school  and  other  funds,  were  $222,154.12.  Of  this  amount, 
$80,000  is  included  in  the  extra  appropriations  of  the 
previous  year  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb,  and  Lunatic  Asylums 
and  for  the  State-prison  ;  and  that  the  actual  current  expenses 
of  the  State  were  but  a  trifle  over  $140,000. 

The  condition  of  the  school-fund  he  reported  as  highly  flat- 
tering, —  that  there  would  be  for  distribution  the  following  year 
$142,431.29,  or  about  ninety-three  cents  to  every  child  in  the 

1>9 


800 


niSTORY  OF  vriSCONSIN. 


State ;  that  the  increase  had  been  over  a  half  a  million  of 
tlollara  ;  and,  in  connection  with  this  subject,  ho  recommended 
the  passage  of  a  law  restricting  the  sales  of  school-lands  in 
limited  quantities  to  actual  settlers.  In  reference  to  banks,  ho 
stated  that  the  bank  comptroller's  report  gave  the  amount  of 
bank  circulation  as  ^937,592,  which  is  secured  by  the  deposits 
of  stocks  to  the  amount  of  81,003,000,  leaving  a  margin  of 
$95,408  for  depreciation  and  loss. 

The  governor  also  referred  to  the  institutions  of  the  State  as 
being  in  a  promising  condition,  and  that  all  the  public  im- 
provements were  being  carried  forward  .as  rapidly  as  possible. 
The  State-prison,  he  reported  as  nearly  finished,  and  of  a 
permanent  and  substantial  character,  being  fire-proof,  two 
hundred  by  fifty  feet,  four  stories  high,  and  containing  two 
hundred  and  eighty-eight  cells.  He  urged  liberal  provision  for 
the  deaf  and  dumb,  and  blind  institutions ;  and  reported  that 
the  State  geologist.  Dr.  J.  G.  Percival,  had  prosecuted  his 
labors  with  great  energy,  which  had  been  confined,  thus  far,  to 
the  lead  districts.  The  Fox  and  Wisconsin  Improvement 
Company  had  pressed  the  work  undertaken  by  tliera  with 
energy ;  and  the  expenditures  as  reported  by  the  president 
after  the  transfer  of  the  work  by  the  State,  and  up  to  the 
20tli  of  December,  1854,  were  $183,400.53 ;  and  that  the  sum 
estimated  as  necessary  to  complete  the  work  was  $32,388.84. 
He  also  referred  to  his  former  message,  on  the  importance 
of  making  provision  for  the  sale  of  the  swamp  and  overflowed 
lands  granted  to  tliis  State  by  act  of  Congress,  approved 
Sept.  28,  1850,  numbering  about  1,G51,0G2  acres,  and  recom- 
mended that  the  lands  should  be  sold,  and  a  portion  of  the 
proceeds  used  in  the  erection  of  public  buildings,  such  as  the 
completion  of  the  penitentiary,  the  construction  of  the  build- 
ings for  the  various  charitable  institutions,  and,  at  no  distant 
day,  of  a  new  Capitol  edifice,  or  the  enlargement  of  the  one 
then  in  use,  which  even  then,  owing  to  the  insufficiency  of 
room  for  offices,  seemed  to  be  demanded. 

Tlie  superintendent  of  public  instruction  reported  the  whole 
number  of  children  in  the  State  over  four,  and  under  twenty 
years,  at  155,125,  an  increase  of  1G,4G7  over  the  number 
reported  in  1854;  and  the  amount  of  money  expended  during 


»02 


nisTonr  or  wibconsis. 


the  year  for  common  schools,  at  $242,116.54,  of  which  amount 
|lGy,485.G4  were  for  teachers'  wages,  and  $o5,809.88  for 
buiUling  and  repairing  schoolhouses.  The  total  value  of 
Bchoolhouscs  was  $847,542.55. 

TIic  hoard  of  regents  of  the  State  University  reported  that 
the  building  committee,  in  accordance  with  instructions  of  the 
Board,  advertised  for  bids  for  the  construction  of  the  Bccond 
dormitory  building  on  the  foundation  previously  laid.  The 
contract  was  awarded  to  Messrs.  A.  A.  Bird  and  William  Lar- 
kin,  who,  with  good  and  sufficient  securities,  undertook  to 
complete  the  building  by  the  first  day  of  June,  1855,  for  the 
sum  of  eighteen  thousand  dollars ;  that  the  work  had  pro> 
gressed  under  tlie  suiicrvision  of  a  competent  superintendent, 
and  no  doubt  was  entertained  of  its  completion  to  the  accept- 
ance of  the  committee. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Board  in  February,  1855,  the 
department  of  medicine  was  ordained  by  tlie  board ;  and  Dr. 
A.  L.  Castleman  was  elected  professor  of  the  theory  and  prac- 
tice of  medicine.  In  July  following.  Dr.  D.  Cooper  Ayres 
was  elected  professor  of  obstetrics,  &c.,  and  Dr.  George  D, 
Wilbur  professor  of  materia  medica.  To  continue  the  his- 
tory of  this  department  of  the  luiiversity,  it  may  be  added, 
that  in  January,  185G,  Dr.  L.  W.  Thayer,  jun.,  was  elected  pro^ 
fessor  of  anatomy  ;  and,  in  July  of  the  same  year,  the  following 
additions  were  made  to  the  medical  faculty :  Dr.  Joseph  Hob- 
bins,  professor  of  surgery ;  Dr.  Alexander  Shue,  professor  of 
the  institute  of  medicine ;  Dr.  J.  M.  McCabe,  demonstrator  of 
anatomy.  Dr.  Castleman  at  <Ue  tame  time  resigned  the  chair 
of  theory  and  practice  of  medicine,  but  was  re-elected  in 
January,  1857.  Dr.  McCabe  ajjpears  to  have  declined  the 
lionor  conferred  on  him ;  and,  at  the  time  of  Dr.  Castleman's 
re-election,  the  void  was  filled  by  the  election  of  Dr.  J.  H. 
Lewis. 

The  medical  department  seems  to  have  perished  for  want  of 
nutriment.  It  was  thrown  upon  its  own  resources  from  birth. 
At  one  time  an  appropriation  of  two  thousand  dollars  was 
voted  for  its  benefit;  but,  after  six  hundred  dollars  of  tliis 
amount  had  been  drawn,  the  appropriation  was  rescinded. 
And  fi-om  that  time  the  Board  seems  to  have  done  little  else  in 


nisTonr  or  wisconsis. 


regard  to  this  department  than  to  institute  seini-annunl  inquiries 
as  to  the  use  made  of  the  six  liundred  dollars  above  referred 
to,  and  request  the  parties  who  drew  the  same  to  return  it  to 
the  treasury.  Aside  from  a  course  of  lectures  delivered  hj' 
Dr.  Castleman,  no  instruction  was  given  under  the  ordinance 
establishing  the  department.  In  1859  a  chair  of  physiology 
and  hygiene  was  established,  not  as  a  separate  department,  but 
simply  as  an  accessory  to  the  common  course.  Dr.  David  B. 
Reid  was  elected  to  fdl  this  chair,  with  a  salary  of  fifteen 
hundred  dollars,  who,  after  a  year's  residence,  resigned,  and  the 
chair  was  vacated. 

The  trustees  of  the  Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb,  in 
their  report  for  the  year  1854,  say,  that,  of  the  appropriation 
made  by  the  last  legislature,  of  nine  thousand  dollars,  two 
thousand  were  devoted  to  the  support  of  the  institution,  two 
thousand  for  the  erection  of  outbuildings  and  other  needful 
fixtures,  and  five  thousand  for  the  erection  of  the  east  trans- 
verse wing.  Unfortunately,  when  ready  to  carry  out  these  plans, 
they  Avere  informed  that  there  was  no  money  in  the  treasury, 
and  that  the  amount  to  which  they  were  entitled  could  not  bo 
paid  until  the  next  year.  They,  however,  raised  the  sum  of 
two  thousand  dollars  upon  their  own  note,  which  enabled  them 
to  keep  the  schools  going,  and  to  pay  debts  which  had  been 
necessarily  incurred.  The  erection  of  outbuildings,  fences,  &c., 
they  were  obliged  to  defer  until  they  Averc  in  possession  of 
funds  to  pay  the  same.  Tba  whole  number  of  pupils  who 
were  under  instruction  for  the  year  1854  was  thirty-one.  The 
trustees  of  the  Blind  Institution  reported  that  the  number  of 
pupils  in  attendance  in  1855  was  sixteen,  which  was  all  the  build- 
ing would  then  accommodate.  Twelve  thousand  dollars  were 
appropriated  for  the  construction  of  the  central  main  building ; 
but,  inasmuch  as  none  of  the  funds  so  appropriated  could  bo 
realized  imtil  after  the  first  day  of  January  ensuing,  the 
trustees  determined  to  commence  the  work  themselves,  and  to 
prosecute  it  as  far  as  possible  that  season. 

The  first  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Historical  Society  was 
published  this  year  for  tlie  year  1854,  showing  that  there  had 
been  received  one  thousand  and  fifty  volumes  for  the  library,  and 
a  number  of  paintings,  autographs,  and  antiquarian  specimens, 


804 


IIISTOnr  OF   WISCONSIN. 


and  that  tlioro  liad  bccu  expended  of  the  State  appropriation 
8497.10.  Tliis  wai  u  beginning  of  the  successful  efforts  of  Dr. 
Lyman  C.  Draper,  its  correspondinj:^  ijccretary.  The  society  at 
this  time  occupied  a  small  room  in  the  baacment  of  the  Baptist 
church  at  Madison.  Of  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  this 
institution,  unsurpassed  by  similar  organizations  in  the  United 
States,  reference  will  be  liad  in  the  further  progress  of  this 
work. 

The  legislature,  at  this  session,  passed  one  hundred  general 
Jaws,  four  hundred  private  and  local  laws,  and  thirty-six  memo- 
rials to  Congress,  which  may  be  divided  as  follows:  of  the 
general  laws,  twenty  were  amendments  to  laws  in  force,  three 
in  reference  to  counties,  eight  changing  the  time  of  holding 
circuit  courts,  five  relative  to  county  courts,  twenty  changing 
names,  six  relative  to  school-lands,  &c.  Of  the  private  and  local 
laws,  fift3--cight  were  amendments  to  railroad,  plunk-road,  and 
insurance-company  charters ;  eight  to  incorporate  bridge  compa- 
nies ;  one  liundrcd  and  forty-four  eliartcra  to  railroads,  educa- 
tional institutions,  and  manufacturing  companies ;  ten  authoriz- 
ing the  erection  of  dams ;  twelve  ferry-companies ;  eight  in 
reference  to  ^Milwaukee  City  ;  tv/enty-one  organizing  school- 
districts  ;  sixty-one  for  State  roads ;  and  twenty-ei;-ht  in  refer- 
ence to  tuxes.  Among  other  bills  passed  of  a  public  nature, 
was  one  to  abolish  the  office  of  commissioner  of  emigration, 
and  travelling  emigrant  agent ;  one  to  suspend  the  sale  of 
school  and  university  lands,  cxcoj)!  iov  purjiose  of  settlement 
and  cultivation;  an  act  relative  to  the  rights  of  married  women, 
providing  that  any  married  woman  whose  husband,  cither  from 
drunkenness  or  profligacy,  should  neglect  or  refnse  to  provide 
for  her  support,  shall  have  the  right,  in  her  own  name,  to 
transact  bu.incss,  receive  and  collect  her  own  earnings,  and 
apply  the  same  for  her  own  support,  and  education  of  her 
children,  free  from  the  control  and  interference  of  her  liusband ; 
an  act  lo  repeal  an  act  to  provide  for  a  State  lunatic  asylum, 
and  to  provide  for  a  compromise  with  the  contractor ;  an  act  to 
provide  for  levying  a  State  tax  for  the  year  1855;  an  act  to 
provide  for  taking  a  census  of  the  people  of  the  Sta'.e ;  an  act 
to  provide  for  protection  of  swamp  and  overflowed  lands,  and  to 
grant  pre-emptions  thereon. 


HISTORY  OF  WrSCOffSIN. 


805 


This  session  of  the  legislature  was  far  from  being  harmo- 
nious :  there  was  much  party  feeling  displaj-ed  ;  and  the  inter- 
course between  the  governor  and  the  assembly  was  not  a 
pleasant  one.  The  assembly  had  a  Republican  majority ;  and 
the  governor  was  a  Democrat.  In  a  notice  of  the  adjournment, 
the  editor  of  "  The  Madison  Democrat "  says,  "  A  body  pos- 
sessing a  less  amount  of  talent  never  met  at  the  capital.  It 
came  with  professions  of  industry,  economy,  and  short  sessions 
upon  its  lips.  An  idler,  more  lavish,  and  dilatory  body  has  not, 
since  the  organization  of  the  State,  assembled  within  the  walls 
of  the  Capitol ;  and  the  following  is  the  result,  in  brief,  of  their 
labors,  —  an  amount  of  local  legislation  unparalleled  in  the 
history  of  the  State,  a  failure  to  enact  a  single  law  which 
will  accomplish  a  reform  in  public  affairs,  time  devoted  to 
the  piu-suit  of  partisan  and  sinister  objects  to  the  total  neglect 
of  good  and  wholesome  legislation,  an  amount  of  appropria- 
tions never  before  equalled  in  a  single  session,  and  a  State  tax 
of  three  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  seven  dollars  to 
every  voter,  and  seventy-five  cents  to  every  man,  woman,  and 
child  in  the  State." 

This  is  pretty  strong  language.  "  The  Madison  Journal,"  in 
reply,  saj-s,  "The  legislature  passed  a  prohibitory  liquor  law: 
the  governor  vetoed  it.  It  passed  a  law  to  investigate  the 
affairs  of  the  State  departments :  the  governor  vetoed  it.  In 
short,  with  t-iarcely  a  single  exception,  every  law  to  accom- 
plish a  reform  in  public  affairs  found  an  unscrupulous  cind  active 
enemy  in  the  governor,  and  was  either  vetoed,  or — what  is 
still  more  outrageous  — pocketed.  And  that,  as  far  as  the  State 
tax  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  is  concerned, 
the  late  legislature  was  not  responsible  for  it ;  and,  in  every 
contingent  expense  of  the  legislature,  that  body  has  been  the 
most  economical,  perhaps,  that  ever  assembled  here."  From 
these  two  extracts,  from  the  two  prominent  opposing  papers  at 
the  scat  of  govei;?ment,  one  can  form  his  own  conclusions  on 
the  merits  or  demerits  of  the  session  of  18.3u. 

On  the  1st  of  February,  Charles  Diukee  was  elected  United 
States  senator ;  and  N.  W.  Dean,  S.  L.  Rose,  and  Dr.  A.  L. 
Castleman,  on  2d  of  Apiil,  were  elected  regents  of  the  uni- 
versity. 

so 


306 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


The  United  States  District  Court  1)}'  its  grand  jury  having 
found  a  hill  against  Sliernian  ^I.  IJooth  and  John  llyecraft  in 
the  matter  of  tlie  rescue  of  Olover,  a  fugitive  slave,  the  case 
came  before  tlie  court  in  January,  IS.j').  Tlie  parties  were 
tried,  and  found  guilty  of  a  violation  of  tlie  Fugitive  Slave 
Law.  Tiio  sentence  of  Mr.  Booth  was  imprisonment  in  the 
county  jail  one  month,  and  a  fine  of  one  thousand  dollars,  and 
costs  of  prosecution  ;  and,  of  Mr.  Ryecraft,  ten  days'  impris- 
onment, and  two  luuidroil  dollars  fine,  without  costs.  On  the 
2Cth  of  Januar}'  the  defendants  made  application  to  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Wisconsin  for  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus.  On 
the  4th  of  February,  the  court  pronounced  its  decision  in 
favor  of  the  application.  Judges  Whiton  and  A.  D.  Smith 
gave  lengthy  opinions  on  the  case.  Jlr.  (larland,  the  owner 
of  Glover,  commenced  a  prosecution  against  Mr.  Booth  in  the 
United  Stales  District  Court,  for  the  loss  of  his  slave.  The 
case  came  up  for  trial  on  the  oth  of  July,  at  Madison,  and 
was  argued  on  the  part  of  IMr.  (Jarland  l^y  J.  K.  Arnold,  and 
J.  T.  Mills  on  the  part  of  Glover.  The  juiy.  under  instructions 
and  law  given  by  the  court,  brought  in  a  verdict  of  one 
thousand  dollars,  the  value  of  a  negro  slave  as  fixed  by  act 
of  Cf)ngress  of  ISCO. 

The  Democratic  State  Convention  for  the  nomination  of 
State  officers  was  held  at  Madi.idU  Aug',  ^j],  184o.  The  follow-' 
ing  persons  were  noniinated:  for  govcriinr,  William  A.  Bar- 
stow;  lieutenant-governor,  Arthur  McArthur;  secretary  of 
state,  David  W.  .Foues  ;  state  treasurer,  Charles  Kuehn  ; 
attorney-general,  William  11.  Smith  ;  superintendent  of  public 
instruction,  A.  C.  Barry;  bank  c;)niiitroller,  William  JI.  Den- 
ni;'. ;  :.tate-prison  commissio'ier,  Edward  McCiarry. 

The  IJepublican  State  Convention  met  at  ,^hulison  Sept.  5, 
ISo."),  and  the  following  ticket  was  nominated:  for  governor, 
Coles  Bash  ford ;  lieutenant-governor,  C.  C.  Siioles;  secretary 
of  state,  S.  D.  Hastings  ;  attorney-general,  Alexander  W.  Ran- 
dall; state  treasurer,  Charles  Roesser;  superintendent  of  publio 
instruction,  J.  G.  ^IcMynn  :  lank  comptroller,  F.  II.  West; 
state-prison  connnisf-ioncr,  James  (iiddings. 

The  State  census,  as  authorized  by  act  of  legislature,  Mas 
taken  this  year:  the  result  showed  a  population  of  552,109. 


308 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Orsamus  Cole  was  elected  Supreme  Court  judge,  at  the  election 
in  April,  over  Hon.  Samuel  Crawford,  the  retiring  judge. 

A.  C.  Barry  was  appointed  by  the  governor  superintendent 
of  public  instruction,  to  fill  the  place  of  Hiram  A.  Wright 
deceased. 

A  very  spirited  canvass  was  held  in  November,  resulting  in 
the  election  of  the  whole  Democratic  ticket.  The  vote  on  Gov. 
W.  A.  Barstow  was  very  close;  but  the  State  canvassers 
declared  him  elected  by  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  majority. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


GOV.  BARSTOW  S  SECOND  TERM. 


Events  of  185C— The  Gubernatorial  Fight  —  Barr-tow  vs.  Baahford. 

In  reference  to  the  fact  that  the  board  of  State  canvassers 
had  declared  Gov.  Barstow  to  have  received  a  sufficient  number 
of  votes  to  entitle  him  to  a  certificate  of  his  re-election  to  that 
office,  the  newspapers  of  the  day  gave  expressions  to  their 
opinions  in  decided  language.  The  Republican  papers  intimate 
that  there  had  been,  for  weeks  after  the  election,  unerring  indi- 
cations that  Gov.  Barstow  had  friends  at  work,  who  would  fur- 
nish the  State  canvassers  the  means  of  arriving  at  the  decision 
they  would  reach,  even  though  that  decision  should  conflict 
with  the  honest  vote  of  the  State,  and  annul,  so  far  as  tlif  can- 
vassers can  annul,  the  real  will  of  the  people.  To  what  extent 
they  were  privy  to  these  labors,  or  instigated  them,  we  have  no 
means  of  knowing ;  but  says  one,  though,  possiblj',  unjustly, 
"  No  injustice  is  done  them,  when  it  is  asserted  that  the  grant- 
ing of  the  certificate  to  Gov.  Barstow  was  a  foregone  conclu- 
sion, and  that  the  knowledge  coming  to  them  in  their  official 
character  has  been  used  for  the  sole  benefit  of  their  personal 
and  political  friends.". 

On  the  7th  of  January,  Gov.  Barstow  and  the  newly-elected 
State  officers  Avere  sworn  into  office.  Great  preparations  had 
been  made  to  have  an  imposing  celebration  on  the  occasion.  A- 
]arge  party  from  Milwaukee  came  on  by  special  train  to  partici- 
pate. Tliere  were  five  companies  of  the  Milwaukee  battalion, 
and  two  companies  from  Watertown.  Tliese  companies,  on 
their  arrival,  with  the  friends  of  the  governor,  marched  in 
procession  to  his  residence,  where  he  and  tlie  other  State  officers 
entered  a  barouche,  and  were  driven  to  the  Capitol.    Some  two 

«09 


810 


lIISTOIiY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


thousand  persons  were  present.  Entering  the  senate-chamber, 
the  newlj-elected  officers  arranged  themselves  in  front  of  the 
clerks'  desks,  and  a  statement  and  certificate  of  the  State  can- 
vassers wiis  read  by  Hon.  Alexander  T.  Gray,  whicli  certificate 
was  the  legal  evidence  of  authority  of  the  State  officers  elect  to 
assTime  the  obligations ;  and  the  oath  of  office  was  administered 
b}-  Judge  A.  L.  Collins,  first  to  Gov.  Barstow,  and  then  to  the 
other  officers.  During  the  day,  Coles  Bashford,  with  a  few  of 
liis  friends,  called  at  the  Supreme  Court  room,  and  took  the  oath 
of  office  of  governor,  from  Chief  Justice  Wliiton.  On  the  10th 
of  January,  Mr.  Bashford  called  at  the  executive  office,  and 
made  a  formal  demand  for  the  office  of  governor,  of  Gov. 
Barstow,  which  the  latter  declined  to  yield.  Mr.  Bashford 
secured  the  services  of  E.  G.  llyan,  J.  H.  Knowlton,  T.  O. 
Howe,  and  Alexander  W.  Randall,  Esqs.,  as  counsel  in  the 
suits  which  he  instituted  to  obtain  possession  of  the  office. 

The  ninth  session  of  the  State  legislature  convened  on  the 
9th  of  January,  1856,  and  was  organized  on  that  day ;  Lieut.- 
Gov.  A.  McArthur  president  of  the  senate,  Byron  Paine  chief 
clerk,  and  Joseph  Baker  sergeant-at-arms.  In  the  assembly, 
Hon.  William  Hull  was  chosen  speaker,  James  Armstrong 
chief  clerk,  and  Egbert  Moseley  sergeant-at-arms.  The  session 
took  a  recess  from  March  31,  185G,  to  Sept.  3,  and  adjourned 
Oct.  1-1.  The  whole  length  of  the  session  was  a  hundred  and 
.twenty-five  daj's ;  the  political  status  of  the  legislature  being 
as  follows :  senate,  eleven  Republicans,  twelve  Democrats,  and 
two  Independent ;  and  in  the  assembly,  forty-four  Republicans, 
thirty-one  Democrats,  and  seven  Independent.  In  the  senate, 
that  body  voted  to  receive  a  message  from  Gov.  Barstow,  and 
decided  to  recognize  him  as  the  governor  de  facto  until  the 
decision  of  the  Supreme  Court ;  and  a  joint  resolution  to  meet 
in  convention,  to  hear  the  message,  was  concurred  in  by  the 
assembly. 

On  the  11th  of  January,  the  message  of  Gov.  BarstoAV  was 
read  in  joint  convention,  from  which  the  following  extracts  are 
taken :  The  whole  amount  paid  into  the  treasur}'  to  Dec.  31, 

1855,  was  8500,973.90,  and  the  total  disbursements,  §480,714.73 ; 
leaving  a  balance  in  the  treasury  on  the  first  day  of  January, 

1856,  of  842,526.26.    The  secretary  of  state's  estimate  for  the 


nrSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN 


811 


year  was  $274,044.50 ;  which  amount,  deducted  from  the  State 
tax  levied  and  equalized,  under  the  act  of  1855,  of  $350,000,  and 
adding  to  which  balance  the  estimated  receipts  for  bank,  rail, 
and  plank-road  tax,  and  miscellaneous  resources  of  $02,470.54, 
left  an  estimated  surplus,  on  the  1st  of  January,  1857,  of  $138,- 
432.04.  He  stated  that  the  five  per  centum  of  the  net  proceeds 
arising  from  the  sales  of  government  lands,  and  belonging  to 
the  school-fund,  was  yet  unadjusted,  and  the  money  withheld 
by  the  government.  Efforts  had  been  made  to  procure  an  ad- 
justment of  this  claim,  while  counter-efforts,  it  was  believed, 
had  been  put  forth  by  some  parties  whose  duty  it  was,  and 
whose  object  it  should  have  been,  to  assist  the  State  in  obtain- 
ing her  just  dues.  He  stated,  that  from  the  report  of  the  bank 
comptroller  the  whole  number  of  banks  in  operation  on  the 
first  day  of  January  was  thirty-two,  with  an  aggregate  capital 
of  $1,083,000 ;  of  the  number  of  banks,  four  were  closing  up 
their  business ;  that  the  stocks  and  specie  on  hand,  aside  from 
individual  bonds  to  secure  the  redemption  of  circulating  notes, 
amounts  to  $1,243,898.75,  with  a  circulation  of  $1,153,534.  He 
recommenced  appropriations  for  the  State-prison,  and  for  the 
erection  of  a  State  lunatic  asylum,  taking  occasion  to  criticise 
the  action  of  the  last  legislature  for  the  hasty  manner  in  their 
repeal  of  the  law  then  in  force,  under  which  the  work  had  been 
commenced,  without  maldng  provision  for  discharging  the 
liabilities  of  the  State  already  incurred.  He  recommended 
the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  the  legislature  to  visit  the 
humane  and  benevolent  institutions  of  the  State,  and  report  on 
appropriations  needed  for  their  successful  management.  He 
referred  to  the  importance  of  a  railroad  to  the  Pacific,  and  rec- 
ommended memorializing  Congress  on  the  subject.  He  recom- 
mended that  no  further  legislation  be  had  on  the  subject  of  a 
prohibitory  liquor  law,  believing  such  a  law  unconstitutional, 
and  that  it  could  not  be  enforced,  and  a  number  of  other  impor- 
tant measures  for  their  consideration. 

On  the  11th  of  January,  1856,  the  counsel  for  Mr.  Bashford 
called  upon  the  attorney-general,  and  requested  him  to  file  an 
infonnation  in  the  matter  of  a  quo  tvarranto  against  ^Ir.  Bar- 
stow,  who  desired  them  to  present  their  demand  in  writing, 
when  he  would  take  it  imder  consideration.    On  the  15th,  that 


812 


H/STOIiT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


officer  filcil  an  information  in  the  Supreme  Court,  in  the  follow- 
ing words:  On  the  15th  of  January,  William  A.  Darstow,  hav- 
ing been  inaugurated  into  office  on  the  7th  of  said  month,  and 
Coles  Bashford  having  taken  the  oath  of  office  the  same  day, 
the  following  information  was  filed :  — 

"  State  of  Wisconsin',  Dane  Co.,  is, 

"  William  R.  Smith,  attornoy-general  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  who  sues 
for  the  people  of  the  State  in  this  behalf,  coin"s  into  the  Supremo  Court 
of  the  said  State,  before  the  justices  thereof,  at  the  Capitol,  in  the  village  of 
Madison,  in  the  county  of  Dane,  in  tlie  said  State,  on  the  fifteenth  day  of 
January,  A.D.  1830,  and  for  the  said  people  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  at 
the  relation  of  Coles  Bashford  of  the  city  of  Oshkosh,  in  said  State  of  Wis- 
consin, according  to  the  form  or  the  statute  in  such  case  made  and  provided, 
gives  the  said  Court  here  to  understand  and  be  informed,  that  William  A. 
Barstow,  for  the  space  of  one  day  and  upwards  now  last  past,  hath  held, 
used,  and  exercised,  and  still  doth  hold,  use,  and  exercise,  the  office  of  gov- 
ernor of  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  without  any  legal  election,  appointment, 
■warrant,  or  aulliority  whatsoever  therefor.  And  the  said  attorney-general 
further  gives  the  Court  here  to  understand  and  be  informed,  that  at  a  gen- 
eral election  for  State  officers  of  said  State,  held  at  the  several  election  dis- 
tricts of  said  State,  in  the  several  counties  thereof,  on  the  sixth  day  of 
November,  A.D.  18j.j,  the  said  Coles  Daslifoid  w.is  duly  elected  and  chosen 
governor  of  the  said  State  aforesaid  ;  and  that  the  .said  Coles  Bashford  hath 
ever  since  bei-n  and  still  is  rightfully  entitled  t.j  hold,  use,  and  exercise  said 
office,  which  said  office  of  governor  of  the  .State  of  Wisconsin,  aforesaid, 
the  said  AVilliam  A.  Barstow  during  all  the  time  aforesaid,  and  .since 
the  time  of  his  election,  hath  usurped,  intruded  into,  and  unlawfully 
held  and  exercised,  to  wit,  at  JIadison,  in  the  county  of  Dane  aforesaid  ; 
and  still  ddtii  usurp,  intrude  into,  and  unlawfully  hold  and  exercise,  to 
wit,  at  Sladison,  in  the  county  of  Dane,  aforesaid,  in  contempt  of  the  peo- 
ple of  the  iState  of  Wisconsin,  and  to  their  great  damage  and  prejudice. 
^^'herenpon  said  attorney-general  prays  the  Court  now  here  for  due  advice 
in  the  premises,  and  for  due  process  of  law  again.st  the  said  William  A. 
Barstow,  in  this  behalf  to  bo  made,  to  answer  to  the  said  people  by  which 
warrant  he  claims  to  hold,  use,  exercise,  and  enjoy  the  aforesaid  office  of 
govei'uor  of  AVisconsin. 

(Signed)  "  W>i.  R.  Smith,  A'lorney-General." 


On  the  ITth,  a  summons  was  issued  from  the  Supreme  Court, 
to  W.  A.  Barstow,  to  appear  before  said  court  on  the  fifth  day 
of  February  ensuing,  to  answer  unto  the  State  and  to  the  infor- 
mation of  C.  Bashford.  On  the  22d  of  tlie  month,  J.  H. 
Knowlton  presented  a  motion  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Bashford  : 


8U 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


"  thnt  the  infoimation  filed  by  the  attornej'^-general  bo  discon- 
tinued, and  tliat  Ihe  said  Basiiford  be  thereupon  at  liberty  to 
file  in  this  court,  in  lieu  thereof,  an  information  in  the  nature 
of  a  quo  ivarranto  on  his  own  relation,  whereof  a  copy  was 
delivered  to  the  said  attorney-general  by  J.  .11.  Knowlton,  on 
behalf  of  said  Bashford,  on  the  twelfth  day  of  January 
instant;  and  that  upon  and  from  the  filing  thereof,  the  said 
Bashford  bo  at  liberty  to  prosecute  amX  control  the  same  by 
himself,  or  his  counsel,  as  he  shall  deem  advisable,  und  for  such 
other  or  further  order  as  the  court  shall  deem  proper  in  the 
premises." 

The  motion  was  argued  before  the  court  by  J.  H.  Knowlton, 
Jonathan  E.  Arnold,  II.  S,  Orton,  and  E.  G.  Ryan ;  and  on  the 
24th  of  January,  the  decision  of  the  court  was  announced, 
denying  the  motion. 

On  the  second  day  of  February,  1855,  the  respondent,  by  his 
attorneys,  Arnold,  Orton,  and  Carpenter,  moved  in  the  said 
Supremo  Court  to  quash  tho  summons  issued  therein,  and  to 
dismiss  the  same,  and  all  proceedings  therein,  for  the  reason 
that  the  court  has  no  jurisdiction  in  the  premises.  The  motion 
was  filed,  and  the  argument  set  down  for  the  11th  of  February ; 
on  which  day  the  argument  commenced,  and  was  argued  at 
great  length  by  Messrs.  Carpenter,  Arnold,  and  Orton  for  the 
motion,  and  by  ]Messrs.  Randall,  Howe,  and  Knowlton  in  oppo- 
sition.    The  motion  was  denied  by  the  court. 

On  the  21st  of  February,  the  time  appointed  for  pleading  to 
the  information,  the  counsel  for  the  respondent  presented  a 
stipulation  signed  by  the  attorney-general,  and  all  the  counsel, 
for  their  respective  parties.  "  The  counsel  for  respondent  exhib- 
ited in  court  a  certificate  of  the  board  of  canvassers,  on  file  in 
the  office  of  the  secretary  of  stati  ,  of  the  canvass  of  votes 
returned  to  said  Board  as  having  been  cast  for  governor  at  the 
last  election,  in  and  by  which  it  appears  that  the  said  board  of 
canvassers  determined  that  William  A.  Barstow  was  elected 
governor  for  two  yeai-s  from  the  first  ]Monday  of  January,  A.D. 
1856.  Also  a  certificate  of  election  made  out  by  the  secre- 
tary of  State,  and  transmitted  to  said  Barstow,  which  certifi- 
cates are  in  proper  form,  and  the  oath  of  office  taken  and  sub- 
scribed by  said  Barstow  on  the  seventh  day  of  January,  A.D. 


niSTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


818 


1856.  And  tho  respective  counsels  submit  to  the  court,  whether 
said  court  have  any  jurisdiction  to  inquire  beyond  .said  certifi- 
cates and  the  said  canvass,  as  to  the  actual  number  of  votes 
given  at  said  election  for  said  Barstow  for  governor."  Tho 
«ouns'!l  for  the  rulater  offered  to  prove  that  said  certificates 
were  made  and  issued  through  mistake  and  fraud,  and  also 
that  Coles  Bashford,  at  said  election  for  said  office  of  governor, 
did  receive  tho  greatest  nuniljer  of  votes ;  all  of  which  the  said 
counsel  offered  to  prove  by  competent  evidence,  and  asked 
the  decision  of  the  court  U[)on  the  question  raised  thereby ;  viz., 
whether  the  court  had  any  jurisdiction  to  go  behind  the  state- 
ment of  returns  and  certificates  tliercof,  and  the  certificate  of 
election  issued  to  the  respondent  by  the  board  of  State  canvass- 
ers. 

The  court  declined  to  enter  the  stipulation  and  to  pass  upon 
the  questions  suggested,  as  they  were  not  presented  in  legal 
form,  as  no  issue  of  lav/  or  fact  was  made :  hence  the  usual 
and  regular  forms  of  pleading  would  be  required  until  an  issue 
was  formed  ;  and  time  was  given  the  respondent,  until  Feb. 
25,  to  file  a  plea  to  the  information.  On  that  day,  the 
respondent  by  his  counsel  made  a  pica,  to  the  effect  that  he 
ought  not  to  be  compelled  to  answer,  because, 'by  the  laws  of 
the  State  regulating  the  conducting  general  elections,  and  the 
canvass  of  votes  thereat,  applicable  to  the  election  stated  in 
said  information,  it  became  the  duty  of  the  board  of  State  can- 
vassers, upon  a  statement  of  the  whole  number  of  votes  polled, 
and  for  whom  given,  for  said  office  of  governor,  to  determine 
what  person  was  by  the  greatest  number  of  votes  duly  elected 
to  the  said  office,  and  make  and  subscribe  in  such  statement 
a  certificate  of  such  determination,  and  deliver  the  same  to  tho 
secretarj'  of  state,  whose  duty  it  was,  under  the  law,  to  make 
out  and  transmit  to  the  pereon  declared  to  be  elected  to  said 
office  a  certificate  of  his  election  ;  and,  furtlier,  that  the  secre- 
tary of  state,  state  treasurer  and  attorney-general,  did  as  such 
Board,  on  the  15th  of  December,  1855,  perform  the  duties 
assigned  them  by  the  laws  of  the  State,  and  determined  that 
William  A.  Barstow  was  duly  elected  to  the  office  of  governor  ; 
and  that  they  did  make  and  subscribe  on  such  statement  a  cer- 
tiCcate  of  such  determination. 


816 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIS 


Annexed  to  tho  plea  was  n  tabular  statement  of  the  votes 
polled  for  governor  and  the  other  State  officers  ;  viz.,  for  gov- 
ernor, 72,508  votes  wore  polled  ;  of  vliich  number,  William  A. 
Barstow  received  80,355,  Coles  Bashford  received  30,198,  scat- 
tering 45. 

To  tlli^^  plea  a  demurrer  was  interposed,  assigning  causes ;  and 
the  attorney-general  states  and  shows  the  following  causes  of 
demurrer  to  said  plea :  1st,  Because  the  matter,  stated  to  tho 
said  ploii,  as  therein  pleaded,  arc  not  a  legal  answer  in  bar  to 
tho  said  information,  and  do  not  disclose  a  want  of  jurisdiction 
in  this  court  further  to  proceed  upon  the  said  information  ;  2d, 
Because  the  defendant  having,  by  his  motion  to  that  effect, 
raised  the  question  of  the  jurisdiction  of  this  court,  and  sub- 
mitted tlic  same  to  tho  adjudication  of  this  court,  and  this  court 
having  thereupon  by  its  order  passed  upon  and  adjudicated  tho 
question  of  its  jurisdiction,  tho  jurisdiction  of  this  court  to 
entertain,  hear,  and  determine  this  cause,  has  become  res  atJjudi- 
cata,  and  it  is  not  competent  for  the  defendant  to  plead  tho 
above  plea  to  tho  jurisdiction  ;  and  for  the  further  reason  that 
the  said  pica  is  not  verified  by  affidavit,  and  is  in  other  respects 
informal  and  insufficient. 

On  the  29th  of  February,  the  argument  of  the  demurrer 
came  on,  and  was  argued  by  Messrs.  Ryan,  Knowlton,  Orton, 
and  Ilowe.  Judge  Wliitou  gave  liis  dcciL-ion,  sustaining  tho 
demurrer,  and  the  respondent  was  required  to  answer  over;  in 
which  decision  Judge  Smith  concurred  ;  and  the  respondent  waa 
then  ruled  to  plead  over  within  four  days. 

On  the  (lay  fixed  by  the  rule  for  tho  respondent  to  plead, 
Mr.  C'ari)entcr  addressed  the  court,  to  the  effect,  that,  with  Mr. 
Arnold  and  Mr.  Orton,  ho  appeared  at  the  bar  of  the  court  at 
the  commencement  of  these  proceedings,  as  the  counsel  for 
Gov.  Barstow,  to  object  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  court;  and  have 
presented  the  objection  in  all  the  forms  known  to  tho  law ;  and 
that  the  court  had  asserted  and  re-asserted  its  determination  to 
proceed  with  the  cause,  and  hold  and  exercise  full  and  final 
jurisdiction  over  it ;  and  that  he  and  his  associates  can  take  no 
further  steps  without  conceding  the  jurisdiction  of  the  coiirt, 
and  have  so  informed  the  governor ;  and  in  reply  he  has  directed 
me  to  withdraw  from  the  cause,  and  to  present  to  the  court  a 


nisTonr  or  Wisconsin, 


817 


communication  from  liim  as  governor  of  the  State,  whicli  ho 
then  presented.  Whereupon  the  counsel  for  the  relator  moved 
for  judgment  upon  the  default  of  the  respondent. 

The  attorney-general  desiring  time  to  consider  what  should 
be  done  on  the  part  of  the  people,  the  further  hearing  was  post- 
poueu  until  March  18,  on  which  day  he  appeared,  and  presented 
to  the  court  a  paper,  in  which  he  pvu  tested  against  the  action 
taken  by  the  court  in  the  name  of  the  people  of  the  State  of 
Wisconsin,  whom  he  represented ;  and,  by  virtue  of  his  authority 
as  attorney-general,  thereby  dismissed  the  information,  and  in- 
formed the  court  that  lie  would  no  more  prosecute  the  same  in 
the  name  of  the  State  ;  and  asked  the  court  that  the  written 
dismissal  should  be  filed  among  the  records  of  this  information. 
The  counsel  for  Mr.  Bashford  protested  against  the  right  or 
power  of  the  attorney-general  to  dismiss  or  discontinue  the 
case  to  the  prejudice  of  his  personal  rights ;  that  whatever 
might  be  his  power  or  discretion  to  dismiss  the  proceeding  so  far 
as  the  people  were  concerned,  ho  should  not  be  permitted  to 
turn  the  relator  out  of  court  Avithout  his  consent. 

On  the  19th  of  March,  the  court  proceeded  to  the  decision  of 
the  motion  of  the  relator's  counsel  for  judgment  of  ouster 
against  the  respondent,  and  in  favor  of  the  relator,  as  well  as 
upon  the  motion  of  the  attorney-general  to  dismiss  the  suit. 

Judge  Colo  gave  his  views  at  length  on  the  question,  and  the 
several  eteps  taken  of  its  progress  from  the  commencement  of 
the  suit,  and,  closing  his  opinion,  said,  "  I  believe  that  the 
relater  is  now  entitled  to  a  judgment  establishing  his  right; 
and  though  this  is  so,  and  notwithstanding  the  practice  may  be 
anomalous,  I  do  not  think  it  an  undue  caution,  an  unreason- 
able exercise  of  the  discretion  of  the  court  (if  we  have  such 
discretion  :  and  I  think  we  have)  to  require  of  the  relater  some 
proof  which  will  show,  that,  prima  facie,  he  has  a  right  to  the 
o£Bce  before  we  give  final  judgment." 

Judge  Smith  gave  his  opinion  also  at  length,  and  concurred 
with  Judge  Cole,  that  the  relator  should  bo  required  to  show 
by  proof  at  least  a  prima  facie  title. 

On  the  20th  of  March,  Chief  Justice  Whiton  said,  "  We  in- 
timated that  we  would  indicate  the  amount  of  proof  necessary 
to  establish  the  claim  of  the  relater.    We  assume  the  statement 


318 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


of  the  beard  of  canvassers  to  be  true  and  correct  until  dis- 
proved."' 

ilr.  Ivyiui,  for  the  rclater,  intimated  liis  readiness  to  produce 
his  proofs  ;  but  Attorncy-Ciencral  Smith  addressed  the  court  on 
the  position  he  held  at  tliat  juncture,  and  asked  tlio  opinion  of 
tne  court. 

The  court  then  proceeded  to  hear  testimony  at  length,  touch- 
ing tlie  character  of  the  returns  made  to  the  State  canvassers, 
showing,  as  tlicy  said,  gross  frauds  and  forgeries  in  such  returns 
to  the  State  Board,  &c.;  from  all  which  it  appeared,  by  the  find- 
ing of  the  court,  that  Coles  Bashford,  the  rclater,  had  received 
a  majority  of  the  legal  votes  cast  and  returned  in  conformity  to 
law. 

Chief  Justice  Whiton,  in  conclusion,  gave  the  opinion  of  the 
court,  that  there  must  be  a  judgment  of  ouster  against  the  re- 
spondent, and  also  one  in  favor  of  the  relater ;  and  judgment  was 
rendered  accordingly. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

THE  BAESTOW-BASHFORD  CONFLICT  CONTimTED. 

Events  of  1WV>  — Decision  of  the  Supreme  Court  — Resignation  of  Gov.  Barstow 
—  J'luclc  of  Lieut.-Gov.  McArtimr  —  Gov.  Baslifonl  gains  tlie  Day,  and  is 
placed  in  Cliarge  of  tlie  Executive  Oiilce  —  Iiogislation,  &c. 


On  the  21st  of  March,  Gov.  Barstow  sent  a  mepcago  to  the 
legislature,  in  which  he  announces  liis  resignation  of  the  execu- 
tive office,  and  giving  Iiis  reasons  for  the  same.  He  said  he 
could  not  yield  tlie  independence  of  his  department  to  judicial 
control  witliout  violating  his  known  duty,  and  submitting  to 
what  he  solemnly  believed  was  an  infraction  of  the  constitution 
of  the  State  ;  and  that,  from  the  time  that  the  chief  justice  ad- 
ministered the  oath  of  office  to  Mr.  Bashford,  to  their  announce- 
ment of  their  determination  to  decide  who  Iiad  received  the 
greatest  number  of  votes  by  an  ex  parte  investigation,  lie  had 
seen  no  indication  that  led  liim  to  hope  for  a  just  determination 
at  their  hands.  With  these  views,  and  influenced  by  these  and 
other  considerations,  he  tenders  the  legislature  his  resignation 
as  governor. 

On  the  23d  of  March,  Lieut.-Gov.  A.  IMcArthur  sent  a  mes- 
sage to  the  legislature,  announcing  tliat  the  resignation  of  the 
governor  made  it  liis  duty  to  take  the  reins  of  government,  and 
his  determination  to  perform  those  duties  in  the  best  manner  in 
his  power. 

On  the  25th  of  March,  Coles  Bash'ord,  accompanied  by  some 
friends,  vi.sitcd  the  executive  chamber,  then  occupied  by  Gov. 
McArthur,  when  ^Ir.  Bashford  demanded  of  tlie  latter  posses- 
sion of  the  office,  which  was  by  him  declined,  until  his  rights 
had  been  pa^ssed  upon  by  the  Supreme  Court ;  and  inquired 
whether  he  would  attempt  to  put  him  out  by  force,  if  lie  co  Jd 

320 


niSTOUT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


821 


I. 


not  otherwise.  He  was  informed  by  Bashford,  that,  while  it 
would  afford  liim  pleasure  to  see  Mm  (McArthur)  as  one  of  the 
citizens  of  tlic  State,  he  was  the  only  governor ;  and  that  the 
people  had  invested  him  with  certain  rights,  which  he  intended 
to  exercise,  without  the  employment  of  force  if  possible,  but 
with  force  if  necessary.  To  wliich  McArthur  replied,  that  tliis 
was  virtually  ejecting  him  by  force,  and  so  construed  it.  He 
should  retire,  protesting  against  Bashford's  right ;  whereupon, 
preceded  by  his  private  secretary,  he  withdrew. 

Gov.  Bashford,  upon  taldng  possession  of  the  office,  sent  a 
message  to  the  legislature,  in  wliich  he  referred  to  the  difficul- 
ties he  experienced  in  obtaining  his  right  to  the  office,  and  of 
the  proceedings  which  had  been  taken  in  the  courts  by  liim  to 
obtain  such  right,  and  transmitting  an  authenticated  copy  of 
the  judgment  of  the  Supreme  Court,  determining  the  case 
between  himself  and  the  late  incumbent. 

Lieut.-Gov.  McArtl^ur,  on  retiring  from  the  executive  cham- 
ber, returned  to  tlie  senate,  and  resumed  liis  duties  as  president 
of  that  body,  wliich  he  had  vacat^il  on  the  resignation  of  Gov. 
Barstow.  He  stated  to  that  body,  on  taking  tlie  chair,  that  in- 
asmuch as  both  branches  of  the  legislature,  and  the  subordinate 
branches  of  government  (the  secretary  of  state,  treasurer,  &c.), 
acknowledged  Gov.  Bashford,  he  had  concluded  that  it  was 
useless  to  hold  out  longer.  And  on  the  27th  of  Slarch,  the  as- 
sembly recognized  Gov.  Bashford,  wliich  that  body  had  before 
declined  to  do,  and  had  refused  to  receive  the  message  wliich  he 
had  sent  them  on  liis  taking  possession. 

Such  is  an  account  of  the  famous  case  of  Basliford  vs.  Bar- 
stow,  as  far  as  it  relates  to  the  action  of  tlio  Supreme  Court  and 
the  locfislature.  It  has  been  thouglit  advisable  to  give  at  some 
Icngiii  tlio  points  of  the  case  as  adjudicated  by  the  court;  and 
the  judicial  record  has  been  faithfully  examined,  and  the  mate- 
rial facts  noted.  Tliis  case,  as  is  well  liuown,  created  much  ex- 
citement throughout  the  State,  and,  in  fact,  throughout  the 
United  States.  It  must  be  remembered,  also,  at  the  date  of 
these  occurrences,  that  party  feeling  was  very  high.  Tlic  Dem- 
ocratic party,  wliich  had  the  control  of  the  political  affairs  of 
the  State  and  Territory  mostly  from  the  first  organization,  was 
losing  its  power ;  and  the  Uepublican  party,  then  but  recently 


21 


822 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


organized,  was  to  take  its  place.  Gov.  Barstow  came  in  for  a 
full  share  of  the  abuse  and  opprobrium  of  his  political  opponents ; 
and  nothing  could  be  said  of  him  or  his  administration  by  thia 
cl.iss,  except  that  every  principle  of  honesty  and  integrity  had 
bt  "-olated  in  the  transaction  of  public  affairs.  The  whole 
bm\(  'le  informalities  and  irregularities  in  reference  to  the 

recent  e  canvass  waa  placed  upon  liis  shoulders,  and  there 
can  be  no  question  that  he  bore  much  more  than  he  was  justly 
entitled  to. 

1 1  Avill  be  necessary  now  to  note  the  acts  of  the  legislature, 
a  consideration  of  whijch  has  been  deferred,  owing  to  the  case 
before  the  courts. 

The  legislature  continued  in  session  until  the  thirty-first  day 
of  March,  185G.  It  passed  a  hundred  and  six  general  laws, 
and  four  hundred  and  fifty-six  private  and  local  laws.  Of  the 
former,  there  appears  to  be  but  few  of  general  public  interest ; 
and,  of  the  latter,  most  of  the  acts  were  the  amendment  to 
chai  ters,  and  charters  to  various  railroad,  plank  road,  and  other 
incorporations.  Of  the  general  laws,  the  most  important  was 
an  pet  providing  for  a  revision  of  the  laws  then  in  force,  and  to 
prepare  a  code  of  practice  and  pleading  for  the  government  of 
civil  actions  in  the  State,  which  code  was  to  conform  somewhat 
to  the  code  then  in  use  in  the  State  of  Ncav  York ;  and  the 
governor  was  authorized  to  appoint  three  competent  persons 
as  revisers,  who  should  prepare  the  same  for  publication,  and 
who  should  report  the  same  at  the  adjourned  session  of  tills 
legislature. 

In  pursuance  of  this  act.  Gov.  Bashford  appointed  Timothy 
O.  Howe,  James  R.  Doolittle,  and  Samuel  J.  Todd  to  the 
work.  These  gentlemen  on  the  IGth  of  May  sent  a  communi- 
cation to  the  governor,  declining  the  appointments  ;  the  reasons 
given  being  that  the  time  prescribed  avus  inadecjuate  to  accom- 
plish such  a  revision  as  would  meet  with  the  views  of  the  legis- 
lature, or  the  wants  of  the  State  ;  in  addition,  they  were  by  the 
act  re(iuircd  to  execute  another  task,  which  would  render  use- 
less a  large  jiortion  of  the  former  labor ;  that  the  adoption  of 
the  New  York  code  of  procedure  to  the  constitution  of  this 
State  would  render  the  revision  and  amendment  of  at  least  four 
very  important  titles,  embracing  some  tliirty-six  cliupters  of  the 


BISTORY  OF  WISCONBIN. 


323 


previous  edition  of  our  laws,  quite  unnecessary  and  useless. 
For  these  reasons,  they  declined  to  act  under  the  appointments, 
and  returned  their  commissions. 

The  legislature  re-assembled,  agreeably  to  adjournment,  on 
the  8d  of  September,  1856.  In  the  assembly,  three  hundred 
copies  of  an  act  entitled  "  An  Act  granting  Public  Lands  to  the 
State  of  Wisconsin  to  aid  in  the  Construction  of  Railroads  in 
the  State,"  was  ordered  printed.  Gov.  Bashford  sent  a  message 
to  the  legislature.  He  said  he  did  not  feel  it  his  duty  to  call 
their  attention  to  any  new  business,  except  some  matters  that  had 
arisen  since  the  adjournment.  He  referred  to  the  death,  in  the 
month  of  May,  of  Dr.  James  G.  Percival,  State  geologist,  and 
said  that  his  report  of  the  survey  of  1855  was  nearly  completed 
at  the  time  of  his  decease,  and  was  forwarded  to  the  governor 
by  Dr.  Jenckes  of  Hazel  Green.  Tliis  manuscript  was  placed 
in  the  hands  of  I.  A.  Lapham,  to  be  prepared  for  publicatioa. 
He  called  attention  to  the  grant  of  lands  by  Congress  to  the 
State  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  a  railroad  from  Madison  or 
Columbus  to  St.  Croix  River,  and  to  the  west  end  of  Lake 
Superior.  The  amount  of  land  donated,  he  thought,  would 
exceed  two  millions  of  acres ;  and  he  recommended  suitiible 
legislation  in  connection  therewith. 

On  the  12th  of  Septeraber,  185G,  the  joint  select  committee 
of  the  legislature,  appointed  "  to  investigate  the  offices  of  the 
state  treasurer,  secretary  of  state,  and  school  and  university 
land  commissioners  from  the  commencement  of  tlie  State 
government"  made  a  report.  From  this  report,  which  is  a  very 
full  one,  it  appears  the  committee  found  that  the  books  in  the 
offices  of  the  treasurer  and  school-land  commissioners  had  been 
kept  in  a  loose  and  careless  manner;  and,  in  the  latter  office,  the 
books  were  disfigured  and  defaced  with  erasures  of  names  and 
figures,  and  other  names  and  figures  substituted  with  interpo- 
lations, remarks,  and  alterations,  which,  in  many  instances,, 
rendered  it  impossible  to  ascertain  either  the  original  entries, 
dates,  or  the  amount  of  principal  and  interest  paid ;  that  the 
entries  on  the  journal  of  the  treasurer  were  made  without  any 
regularity  of  date,  entries  being  made  first  as  late  as  July  or 
August  going  back  to  January  of  the  same  year.  The  vouchers 
of  the  treasurer  were  also  found  in  great  confusion,  there 


324 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


being  no  arrangement  cither  of  name  or  date,  but  being  thrown 
into  one  confused  mass.  These,  extending  through  a  period 
of  eight  yeans  had  to  be  arranged  and  compared  witli  the 
corresponding  entries  on  the  journal  of  the  treasurer.  Many 
of  the  voucliers  were  missing :  and  many  of  those  hiid  before 
the  committee  as  vouchers  Avcre  rejected,  because  they  oifered 
no  c\  idence  of  the  payment  of  money  to  any  person.  A  list 
of  Luuh  missing  and  rejected  vouchers  accompanied  the  report. 
It  also  appeared,  by  tlie  report  on  the  testimony  cf  competent 
parties,  that  the  State  officers  and  clerks  were  allowed  to  take 
money  from  the  treasury  in  anticipation  of  their  salaries,  leav- 
ing no  other  evidence  of  indebtedness  than  a  slip  of  paper 
upon  which  Avas  written,  "  Good  for dollars,"  mention- 
ing the  amount  taken,  and  signing  their  names.  One  party 
had  borrowed  money  from  the  assistant  treasurer  on  his  own 
due-bill.  A  full  account  of  the  defalcation  of  E.  II.  Janssen, 
state  treasurer,  is  given ;  and  the  blame  attached  to  that 
officer  is  due  to  Mr.  D.  H.  Scaver,  assistant  treasurer,  as  the 
treasurer  Avas  absent  from  the  Capitol,  owing  to  sickness  and 
death  in  his  family;  and  the  business  of  the  office  was  left 
exclusively  in  the  charge  of  his  assistant.  Ilis  defalcation  is 
estimated  at  $8,G28.70. 

The  details  of  the  sales  of  lands  in  the  office  of  the  commis- 
sioners of  school  and  iniivcrsity  lands  are  given ;  and  charges  are 
made  of  favoritism,  and  that  many  re-sales  of  forfeited  lands  Avere 
sold  a  second  time  to  purchasers  for  a  less  amount  than  they  were 
sold  for  originally,  thus  making  it  an  object  for  purchasers  to 
forfeit  their  lands ;  and  that  the  fund  granted  for  the  purpose 
of  insuring  the  lasting  establishment  of  our  common  school 
system,  instead  of  Avorking  the  beneficial  results  intended, 
the  committee  Avere  compelled  to  say  that  the  result  of  their 
inA'estigation  shoAvcd  that  there  AA'as  no  foundation  for  suth  hope 
or  belief ;  that  tens  of  thousands  of  dollars  of  this  fund  had 
been  embezzled,  and  many  hundred  of  thousands  "  lost  and 
squandered,"  Avhatcver  may  have  been  the  hope  of  e\'ery  citizen 
of  the  State  Avho  loves  the  sacred  cause  of  education,  to  the 
contrary ;  that  criminal  negligence,  Avanton  recklessness,  and 
utter  disregard  for  the  most  responsible  duties  Avhich  could  be 
imposed  upon  man,  had  distinguished  the  management  of  this 


826 


niSTOIiY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


fund.  Appended  to  this  report  are  aiBdavits,  and  statistics  of 
the  condition  of  the  offices  referred  to. 

In  reply  to  this  report,  and  charges  against  the  late  State  treas- 
urer and  commissioners  of  the  school  and  university  lands,  those 
gentlemen,  on  the  19th  of  September,  sent  a  reply  to  the  legis- 
lature, vindicating  their  conduct  against  these  charges.  They 
stated,  that,  notwithstanding  repeated  applications  to  the  inves- 
tigating committee  for  the  privilege  of  examining  the  testimony 
taken  before  them,  they  had  not  been  allowed  to  see  it ;  but, 
on  the  contrary,  such  privilege  had  been  positively  refused, 
and  they  had  been  able  only  to  gather  some  conception  of  the 
import  from  common  rumor,  by  which  they  were  given  to 
understand  that  it  contained  matters  reflecting  severely  upon 
their  integrity  as  men  and  as  public  officers ;  that,  upon  read- 
ing the  report  of  said  committee,  but  one  impression  can  be 
made,  and  that  is,  that  all  the  irregularities,  of  whatever  descrip- 
tion, that  are  alleged  to  have  occurred  in  the  management  of  the 
school-fund  and  sale  of  school-lands  duiing  a  period  of  eight 
years  are  chargeable  to  them. 

In  reply  to  the  charge  "  that  the  books  are  disfigured  and 
defaced  with  erasures  of  names  and  figures,  and  other  names 
and  figures  substituted  with  interpolations,"  &c.,  they  have 
to  say  that  the  books  in  the  land-office  since  the  rc-organ- 
ization  of  the  system  of  managing  the  affairs  of  that  office,  in 
the  summer  of  1854,  are  not  justly  liable  to  any  such  censure, 
and  that  there  is  not  any  thing  in  the  exhibits,  or  the  proof  sub- 
mitted with  the  report,  to  justify  the  remark.  To  the  remark 
that  the  State  officers  and  clerks  were  allowed  to  take  money 
from  the  treasury  in  anticipation  of  their  salaries,  leaving 
no  other  evidence  of  their  indebtedness  than  a  slip  of  jiaper 

upon  which  was  written,  "  Good  for dollars,"  it  was  an 

accommodation  to  the  treasurer  to  pay  moneys  in  this  way  to 
officers  who  kept  their  accounts  with  him,  and  settled  once  a 
year.  It  was  his  business  to  see  that  we  did  not  overdraw  our 
accomits ;  and,  so  far  as  they  were  concerned,  there  was  nothing 
in  the  report  of  the  committee,  or  in  the  testimony,  to  show 
that  they  were  at  any  time  overdrawn.  The  books  in  the  secre- 
tary's office  show  when  they  receipted  for  their  salaries  ;  and  it 
was  not  against  these  we  made  drafts.    The  treasurer  accoimted 


niSTonr  of  vrrscoNsrrr. 


827 


to  them  for  their  fees,  he  liaving  received  them ;  and  their  set- 
tlements Avith  him  always  showed  that  they  had  kept  very  far 
from  overdrawing  their  accounts.  They  were  not  allowed,  as 
the  report  states,  to  take  money  from  the  treasury  ;  but,  when 
the  treasury  was  indebted  to  them,  the  treasurer  pivid  a  part 
that  was  due  upon  their  giving  an  acknowledgment  for  the 
amount  so  paid. 

The  commissioners  also  go  into  minute  details  relative  to  the 
purchase  of  school-lands  by  various  parties,  whenever  they  are 
charged  Avith  irregularities  and  wrong-doing,  which  we  will  not 
repeat,  more  than  to  say  that  they  claim  to  have  refuted  all 
charges  against  them. 

To  this  document,  the  investigating  committee  on  the  10th  of 
October,  made  a  reply  to  the  legislature,  re-affirming  the  position 
taken  by  them  on  their  first  report,  and  denying  the  statements 
set  forth  by  the  late  school-land  commissioners. 

The  session  closed  on  the  13th  of  October.  Of  the  important 
measures  passed  at  this  adjourned  session,  there  was  one  to 
apportion  and  district  anew  the  members  of  the  senate  and 
assembly,  by  which  the  number  of  the  members  of  the  assem- 
bly was  increased  from  one  hundred  and  seven  to  one  hundred 
and  twenty-seven ;  one  to  secure  the  enlargement  and  immedi- 
ate completion  of  the  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  the 
Fox  and  Wisconsin  Rivers ;  one  to  provide  for  determining,  and 
finally  settling  and  paying,  the  claim  of  Andrew  Proudfit  for 
■work  done  and  materials  furnished  under  his  contract  for  build- 
ing the  State  Lunatic  Asylum  ;  one  to  accept  the  grant,  and 
execute  the  trust  conferred  on  the  State  by  act  of  Congress, 
entitled  "  An  Act  granting  Public  Lands  to  the  State  of  Wiscon- 
sin, to  aid  in  the  Construction  of  Railroads  in  the  State  ; "  an  act 
to  simplify  and  abridge  the  practice,  pleadings,  and  proceedings 
of  the  courts  of  the  Slate;  an  act  comprising  three  hundred  and 
sixty-eight  sections;  an  act  to  grant  certain  lands  to  the  La 
Crosse  and  Milwaukee  Railroad  Company,  and  to  execute  the 
trust  created  by  the  act  of  Congress  before  alluded  to ;  an  act 
to  provide  for  the  disposal  and  sale  of  the  SAvamp  and  overflowed 
lands ;  an  act  i;o  provide  for  the  revision  of  the  general  Iuaa-s  of 
the  State  ;  an  act  for  levying  a  State  tax  for  the  year  1S5G,  of 
three  hundred  thousand  dollars;  an  act  to  execute  the  trust 


828 


msTonr  of  wiscoNsm. 


created  by  act  of  Congress,  &c.,  by  incorporating  the  Wisconsin 
and  Superior  Kailroad  Company,  and  granting  a  portion  of  said 
lands  thereto  ;  also  an  amendatory  and  supplementary  act,  &c., 
to  the  same  company. 

The  bill  to  accept  the  grant  of  lands,  and  to  execute  the  trust 
conferred  on  the  State  by  Congress,  to  aid  in  the  construction 
of  railroads  in  the  State,  was  one  of  great  importance,  and 
occupied  the  closing  days  of  the  session.  Much  difference  of 
opinion  was  entertained  on  the  merits  of  the  bill  introduced, 
knoAvn  as  the  "  ^lilwaukeo  and  La  Crosse  Railroad  Bill."  The 
various  sections  of  the  State  had  an  interest  in  tliis  land-grant, 
and  the  benefits  to  arise  from  it ;  and  it  was  after  a  long  debate 
that  a  bill  designed  as  a  compromise  was  passed,  but  Avas  vetoed 
by  the  governor ;  and  another  bill  similar  to  the  first  was  intro- 
duced to  obviate  the  objections  of  the  Executive.  This  bill 
passed,  and  received  his  approval.  It  will  be  necessary  to  recur 
to  this  measure  hereafter,  as  the  history  of  this  land-grant,  and 
of  the  La  Crosse  Railroad,  has  had  a  famous  reputation. 

It  will  be  seen  while  the  business  of  the  first  part  of  the  ses- 
sion was  limited,  and  but  little  accomplished,  the  latter  part  was 
an  active  one ;  and  many  important  measures  were  considered 
and  enacted. 

To  summarize  the  business  of  the  whole  session,  we  find  one 
hundred  and  forty-five  general  laws  pasf.ed,  three  joint  resolu- 
tions, and  twenty-seven  memorials  to  Congress.  Of  the  laws, 
fourteen  were  amendments  to  general  laws,  fifteen  appropriation 
bills,  tliirteen  concerning  courts,  twentj'-nino  change  of  name, 
ten  amendments  to  Revised  Statutes,  eight  on  railroads,  twelve 
authorizing  the  secretary  of  state  to  audit  accounts,  six  on 
schools,  three  on  taxation ;  and,  of  the  private  and  local  laws, 
seventy  are  amendatory  acts  to  charters  of  rail  and  plank 
roads,  ten  to  booms,  tliirteen  to  bridges,  one  hundred  and  tliirty- 
five  charters  to  institutions  and  corporations,  nine  to  cemeteries, 
eleven  to  mill-dams,  twenty-four  ferries,  twenty-two  concerning 
Illilwaukee,  thirty-six  to  school-districts,  seventy-two  State 
roads,  nine  organizing  towns,  and  thirteen  to  villages.  The 
superintendent  of  public  instruction  reported  that  the  whole 
number  of  children  in  the  State  on  the  first  day  of  September, 
1855,  between  the  ages  of  four  and  twenty,  was  180,085 ;  increase 


BISTOnr  OF  WISCONSIN. 


829 


Bince  1855,  30,900.  Amount  received  for  the  year  1855  for 
school-purposes,  $264,704.03,  of  which  amount  8210,542.72  waa 
for  teachers'  wages.  The  regents  of  the  university  reported 
that  the  second  dormitory  building,  which  was  under  contract, 
and  in  process  of  erection,  at  the  date  of  the  last  report,  was 
completed  and  accepted  in  June,  1855.  The  contract  price  of 
the  building  was  eighteen  thousand  dollars.  The  whole  cost, 
including  furnace,  additional  fixtures,  and  extras,  was  estimated 
to  be  about  twenty  thousand  dollars.  The  trustees  of  the  Deaf 
and  Dumb  Institution  stated  that  it  would  be  necessary 
to  commence  as  early  as  possible  the  erection  of  the  main  build- 
ing, which  would  cost  not  less  than  thirty  thousand  dollars.  The 
whole  number  of  pupils  in  attendance  during  the  year  1855, 
thirty-four. 

The  trustees  of  the  Blind  Institution  reported  that  the  erec- 
tion of  the  main  edifice,  and  the  cast  wing  connected  Avith  it, 
had  progressed  with  all  possible  speed,  with  strict  reference  to 
durability ;  and,  further,  that  they  expected  to  finish  the  building 
at  an  early  day,  should  the  legislature  furnish  the  necessary 
means  for  that  purpose.  The  number  of  pupils  in  the  institu- 
tion Avas  fourteen. 

Agreeably  to  the  act  providing  for  a  settlement  with  Andrew 
Proudfit  for  work  and  materials  on  the  State  Lunatic  Asylum 
under  his  contract,  the  governor  appointed  Timothy  O.  Howe, 
Fred.  S.  Lovell,  and  William  Pitt  Lynde,  commissioners  to  hear 
the  testimony  in  the  case,  and  to  determine  the  amount  of  dam- 
age Avhich  he  had  sustained  by  reason  of  the  legislature  annull- 
ing said  contract.  The  governor  appointed  Jrmes  R.  Doolittle, 
J.  A.  Sleeper,  and  C.  Abbott,  attorneys  on  the  part  o.' '  'le  State ; 
and  Mr.  Proudfit  secured  the  services  of  E.  G.  Ryan,  Orton  & 
Hopkins,  and  Samuel  Crawford,  as  his  attorneys.  The  commis- 
sioners, after  a  careful  and  impartial  investigation  of  the  whole 
subject,  and  arguments  of  counsel,  on  the  1st  of  January,  1857, 
awarded  him  the  sum  of  ©7,400.  The  opinion  of  Mr.  Howe, 
which  was  concurred  in  by  IMessrs.  Lovell  and  Lyndo  was  clear 
and  conclusive,  and  was  published  in  the  newspapers  of  that  day. 
The  high  character  of  the  gentlemen  composing  the  commission 
has  given  the  public  assurance  that  justice  would  be  done  by 
them,  regardless  of  all  party  feeling ;  and  their  award  demon- 
strates that  that  confidence  was  not  misplaced. 


830 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


The  prcsitlcntial  election  took  place  in  Novemlier  of  tliis  year 
(1850)  ;  luul  the  canvass  waa  as  exciting  as  in  other  parts  of  the 
Union.  The  result  was,  that  the  llepubliean  party  was  success- 
ful  in  the  State;  and  tlic  Kepubhcau  electors  —  E.  D.  Ilolton, 
James  II.  Knowltoa,  Grcgor  Mcuzel,  W.  D.  Mclmloe,  and  B. 
McWilliams  —  hail  a  majority  of  13,247.  John  F.  Potter,  C.  C. 
Washburn,  and  C.  Billinghurst,  Ilcpublicans,  were  elected  con- 
gressmen over  Jackson  Iladlcy,  Samuel  Crawford,  and  II.  C. 
Hobart,  Democrats. 

The  electoral  college  met  on  the  4th  of  December,  1856,  and 
cast  the  vote  of  the  State  for  John  C.  Fremont  for  president, 
and  William  L.  Dayton  vice-President. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

ADJUNISTEATIOX   OF  GOV.   BASHFORD. 

Events  o{  1857  —  Ijegislation  —  Election  of  United  States  Senator  —  Legislation 
—  The  Capital  —  Election  Coutest,  Sso. 

The  tenth  session  of  the  legislature  convened  on  the  14th 
of  Januaiy,  1857,  unci  was  organized  in  the  senate,  Lieut. -Gov. 
A.  McArlhur  being  prciidoiit,  and  the  election  of  William 
Henvy  Brisbane  as  chief  clerk,  and  Alanson  Filer  scrgeant-at- 
arms.  Tiie  assembly  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Wyman 
Spooner  as  speaker,  'William  C.  Webb  chief  clerk,  and  William 
C  Rogers  sergeant-at-arms.  The  legislature  held  a  short  ses- 
sion of  liftj'-foiir  days,  and  adjourned  on  the  Oth  of  March. 
The  Rejiubliean  party  had  a  majority  in  both  houses. 

Gov.  Daehford  in  his  message  said,  "  At  no  time  since  our 
cxiotencc  as  a  Stato  has  a  greater  measure  of  prosjjerity  and 
happiness  been  enjoyed  among  the  people  than  during  the  year 
just  terminated."  He  reported  the  condition  of  the  several 
funds  as  follows  :  — 


The  goner.ll  fund  was  indebted  to  tlic  other  funds  on  Jan.  1, 

i:<50 §13,9ia.88 

The  deficiency  of  the  previous  state  treasurer  was 32,3o8.54 

The  disbursements  during  the  year  from  the  general  fund 

amounted  to 310,050.45 

Total 0;W5,055.87 

The  amount  of  receipts  during  previous  year 3S8,0.j3..")D 

Balance  due  other  funds  from  the  general  funu,  Jan.  1,  1857.  $7,002.28 

Tlio  total  capital  of  tiiu  school  fund,  Jan.  1,  1857 2,0-17,0();j.74 

The  total  capital  of  university  fund 310,887.33 

823 


niSTORY  OF  WISCOSSIN. 


338 


He  also  reported  that  tlio  convicts  in  the  State-prison  on 
Dec.  3,  18")G,  was  a  hundred  and  eight,  and  the  current  ex- 
penses during  the  3'ear,  827,384.00;  that  the  number  of  banks 
organized  and  doing  business  was  fifty,  the  aggregate  capital 
amounting  to  .S:),290,000,000,  an  increase  of  .$1,320,000  over 
preceding  j-ear.  The  whole  amount  of  circulating  notes 
issued  to  banks  was  81,050,1)07,  Avhich  notes  were  secured  by 
stocks,  &c.,  for  their  redemption,  valued  at  82,208,470  ;  and 
that  several  banks  had  been  closed  up  without  any  loss  to  the 
bill-holder.  He  also  referred  to  the  State  University,  and 
solicited  attention  to  their  report;  from  which  it  appears  that 
the  whole  number  of  stu<lcnts  in  attendance  during  the  year 
1856  was  a  hundred  and  si\ty-nine  ;  that  several  new  depart- 
ments had  been  created  and  established  ;  and  that  it  was  pro- 
posed soon  to  organize  the  law-school,  and  the  department  of 
civil  engineering.  He  said  that  the  report  of  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb  Institution  gave  evidence  of  an  able  and  economical 
administration  of  its  affairs,  and  that  it  was  in  a  flourishing 
condition,  and  that  the  rapid  accession  to  the  number  of  its 
pupils  rendered  necessary  the  early  erection  of  the  main  build- 
ing ;  that  the  Blind  Institution  had  nearly  completed  a  spacious 
and  beautiful  edifice,  and  asked  for  an  appropriation  to  finish 
and  furnish  it  in  a  proper  manner,  and  to  improve  the  grounds. 
He  reported  a  very  favorable  condition  of  the  affairs  of  the 
State  Historical  Society,  whose  library  on  the  1st  of  January 
contained  3,120  volumes,  besides  a  fine  collection  of  oil 
paintings,  and  valuable  memorials  of  the  early  history  of  the 
State  and  Territory.  He  stated,  that,  i.^  pursuance  of  law, 
he  had  appointed  John  F.  Potter,  Snnuiel  J.  Todd,  and  B. 
McWilliaras  commissioners  to  revise  '■■  he  General  Statutes  of 
the  State. 

Among  other  svibjects  which  he  suggested  for  the  considera- 
tion of  the  legislature,  none,  he  said,  seemed  to  demand  more 
attention  than  a  law  to  diminish  the  excessive  amount  of 
special  le^'jislation  wliicli  was  demanded  at  each  session,  and 
that  a  strict  comi)liance  with  the  provisions  of  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  State,  in  this  regard,  would  greatly  shorten  the 
sessions  of  the  legislature,  and  diminish  the  expenses  of  the 
State.     He  remarked  that  nearly  two-thirds  of  all  the  legislft- 


m 


884 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


tion  of  previous  sessions  inight  hav3  been  attained  through 
general  laws :  he  also  remarked  that  a  general  railroad  law 
would  be  productive  of  great  benefit. 

He  recommended  that  power  be  granted  to  the  secretary  of 
state  to  audit  and  ailow  all  accounts  against  the  State,  where 
the  same  could  be  ascertained  by  computation.  He  referred  to 
the  State  Lunatic  Asylum,  and  the  settlement  with  Mr.  Proud- 
fit,  and  recommended  immediate  steps  for  the  erection  of  a 
suitable  asylum.  He  also  recommended  some  changes  in  the 
laws  for  the  assessment  and  collection  of  taxes,  and  also  to  the 
claims  of  the  State  against  the  General  Government  for  the  five 
per  centum  of  tiie  net  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  government  lands 
within  the  State,  which  amount  he  eitimated  at  two  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  and  which  is  withheld  from  the 
State.  He  said  that  patents  had  been  received  from  the  gen- 
eral land-office,  in  part  for  the  swamp  and  overflowed  lands 
donated  to  the  State,  to  the  amount  of  l,477,545-j*y'*jy  acres,  and 
the  State  would  ultimately  receive  in  all  about  two  millions 
five  hundred  thousand  acres.  He  said  the  work  on  the  Fox 
aud  Wisconsin  River  Improvement  had  progressed  favorably 
by  the  company  who  had  the  same  in  charge,  and  that  con- 
tracts had  been  let  for  the  entire  work,  between  Portage  City 
and  Green  Bay.  He  closed  with  referring  to  the  troubles  in 
Kansas,  and  by  transmitting  to  the  legislature  a  petition  of  six 
persons,  formerly  residents  of  this  State,  who  emigrated  to  that 
Territory,  and  had  been  thrown  in  prison  at  Lecompton  upon 
charijCS  of  high  crimes  and  treason,  for  defending  their  proper- 
ty against  an  organized  band  of  armed  maraudert-  from 
Missouri. 

On  the  23d  of  June,  agreeably  to  the  constitution  of  the 
State,  the  legislature  met  in  joint  convention  for  the  purpose 
of  electing  a  United  States  senator  in  place  of  Hon.  Henry 
Dodge,  whose  term  of  office  expired  March  4  of  that  year  ; 
and,  a  vote  having  been  taken,  James  R.  Doolittle  received 
seventy-nine  votes,  and  Charles  Dunn  thirty-six  votes,  two 
scattering  ;  whereupon  the  president  declared  the  votes  given 
for  James  R.  Doolittle  were  out  of  order  and  void,  and  that, 
no  person  having  received  a  majority  of  the  votes,  there  was 
on  election,  and  proceeded  to  give  the  reasons  for  his  decision, 


nrSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


835 


to  the  effect  that  Mr.  Doolittle  having  been  chosen  a  circuit 
judge  in  1853,  and  the  term  for  which  he  was  chosen  not 
having  expired,  he  could  not  be  voted  for  at  that  time :  where- 
upon an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  chair  was  taken  ;  and, 
a  vote  being  taken,  it  appeared  that  forty  votes  wore  for  sus- 
taining the  president,  and  seventy-one  votes  against  it.  So 
the  decision  of  the  chair  was  not  sustained.  In  the  Republi- 
can caucus  on  the  first  ballot,  Mr.  Doolittle  received  twenty- 
five  votes,  Timothy  O.  Howe  twenty-five  votes,  and  E.  D. 
Holton  twenty-one  votes.  On  the  IGth  of  February,  the  legis- 
lature in  joint  convention  elected  Horace  A.  Tenney,  E.  S. 
Carr,  J.  G.  McMynn,  and  J.  L.  Pickard,  regents  of  the  State 
University. 

A  number  of  important  bills  were  passed  at  this  session. 
Among  them  were  the  following :  a  bill  relating  to  the  writ  of 
habeas  corpus  to  persons  claimed  as  fugitive  slaves,  the  right 
of  trial  I)y  jury,  and  to  prevent  kidnapping.  This  was  1  nuwa 
as  the  Personal  Liberty  Bill,  and  designed  to  invalidate  the  acts 
of  Congress  on  that  subject.  An  a.  i"viding  for  the  erection 
of  the  main  edifice  of  the  State  Uni\' ri>ity,  and  tlio  sura  of 
forty  thousand  dollars  appropriated  for  its  consf  ruction.  An 
act  authorizing  the  enlargement  of  the  State  Capitol,  and  pro- 
viding and  appropriating  means  for  the  payment  of  u:c  same, 
by  the  provisions  of  which  the  commissioners  of  school  and 
university  lands  Avere  directed  to  sell  the  ten  sections  of  land 
appropriated  by  Congress  for  the  completion  of  the  public  buil  1  - 
ings.  This  act,  in  addition  to  securing  the  funds  that  won. a 
arise  from  the  sale  of  such  lands,  also  provided  that  the  city 
of  Madison  should  donate  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  in 
city  bonds,  payable  in  twenty  years,  to  tlie  same  object.  An 
act  to  provide  for  a  geological  and  agricultural  survey  of  the 
State.  To  carry  out  this  act,  James  Hall  of  Albany,  N.Y., 
Ezra  S.  Carr  and  Edward  Daniels  of  Wisconsin,  were  appointed 
commis^^ioners ;  and  six  thousand  dollars  per  annum  were  appro- 
priated for  the  term  of  six  years  for  salaries  and  expenses  in 
connection  with  the  survey.  An  act  to  extend  the  right  of 
Buffrngc  to  male  persons  of  African  blood  who  shall  have 
attained  the  age  of  twentj'-one  years,  the  act,  before  taking 
effect,  to  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people  in  November, 


886 


n  I  STORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


1857.  An  act  to  consolidate  the  rail  and  plank  roads  in  the 
State.  An  act  to  provide  a  State  lios])ital  for  the  insane ;  and 
the  Sinn  of  thiit^'-five  thousand  dollars  appropriated  to  carry 
into  effect  the  provisions  of  the  act.  To  provide  for  the  levy- 
ing of  a  State  tax  of  three  hundred  thousand  dollars  for  the 
year  1857.  An  act  to  authorize  the  State  Historical  Society  to 
publish  an  Annual  Report  and  Collections  of  two  thousand 
copies.  An  act  to  encourage  academies  and  normal  schools, 
and  for  the  appointment  of  a  board  of  regents  of  normal 
schools.  An  act  to  establish  a  house  of  refuge  for  juvenile 
delinquents  (subsequently  known  as  the  State  Reform  School). 
An  act  to  provide  for  the  .appointment  of  a  superintendent  of 
public  property,  and  to  define  his  powers  and  duties.  The  whole 
number  of  general  laws  passed  was  a  hundred  and  two,  six  joint 
resolutions,  and  twentj'-six  memorials  to  Congress,  and  four 
hundred  and  fifteen  private  and  local  laws.  The  recommenda- 
tion of  the  governor  on  this  latter  class  of  legislation  did  not  find 
much  favor  with  the  members  of  the  legislature.  To  summa- 
rize, there  were  fourteen  amendatory  laws  to  acts  passed  in  1855 
and  185G,  thirteen  authorizing  the  erection  of  dams,  seven  for 
ferries,  sixteen  incorporating  insurance-companies,  twenty-eight 
in  reference  to  jMilwaukee,  seven  for  plank-roads,  sixty-three 
incorporating  and  amending  railroad  charters,  fifty-four  on 
State  roads,  seventeen  relief  of  school-districts,  seventeen 
extending  tlie  time  for  collection  of  taxes,  and  many  others  of 
more  and  less  impoi'ance.  At  the  spring  elections  of  1857, 
Edward  V.  Wliiton,  lu  [)ublican  was  elected  chief  justice  of  the 
Supremo  Court,  by  about  twelve  thousand  majority  over  Mont- 
gomery M.  Cothren,  Democratic  candidate. 

The  governor  appointed  Ex-Gov.  L.  J.  Farwell,  Levi  Sterling, 
and  J.  P.  ^IcGregor,  commissioners  of  State  Lunatic  Asylum ; 
and  on  the  30th  of  ^larch,  j\Iartin  Mitchell,  W.  D.  Bacon,  and 
Edwin  Palmer,  commissioners  to  select  a  site  for  the  House  of 
Refuge  for  Juvenile  Delinquents. 

Very  soon  after  the  organizatio  of  the  State  government, 
the  Capitol  building  became  inadciiuato  to  the  proper  accommo- 
dation of  the  several  departmeir.-i  which  had  been  brought 
into  being,  and  the  business  of  wliich  rapidly  increased  with 
the  growth  of    the   State.     Still,  by  renting  rooms   in  other 


838 


BISTORT  OF  WiaCONSlN. 


buildings,  it  w<as  made  to  answer  the  purpose  for  ten  years  after 
Wisconsin  was  admitted  into  the  Union. 

At  this  time,  it  had  become  apparent  that  a  new  Capitol  must 
be  built  without  further  delay ;  and  the  necessity  gave  rise  to  a 
proposition  in  the  legislature  to  remove  the  seat  of  government 
from  Madison  to  some  other  point.  Whether  there  was  any  real 
danger  of  the  success  of  the  proposition,  or  not,  the  people  of 
Madison  became  alarmed,  and  voted  to  donate  to  the  State 
fifty  thousand  dollars  in  city  bonds  to  aid  in  the  construction  of 
a  new  Capitol  on  the  old  site.  Tliis  proposition  was  accepted 
by  the  legislature ;  and  on  the  3d  of  March,  1856,  an  act  was 
passed,  as  previously  referred  to,  authorizing  the  enlargement 
of  the  State  Capitol. 

By  the  act  of  the  legislature,  approved  Feb.  28,  1857,  the 
governor  and  secretary  of  state  were  authorized  to  adopt  a 
plan,  and  contract  for  the  east  wing  of  the  building.  On  the 
27th  of  April,  plans  were  received  from  seven  architects ;  and 
the  one  submitted  by  Messrs.  Kutzbock  and  Donnell  was 
•accepted;  and  after  the  time  elapsed  for  receiving  proposals 
fi  ^m  contractors,  and  the  same  being  opened,  the  contract  was 
awarded  to  John  Ryecraft  of  Milwaukee,  as  being  the  lowest 
biddei  at  ninetj'-two  thousand  dollars.  Mr.  Ryecraft  subse- 
quently gave  up  his  contract;  .and  it  was  awarded  to  A.  A. 
McDo'  ,nell.  The  work  was  immediately  commenced,  and  was 
completed,  and  occupied  by  the  assembly,  in  1869.  A  particular 
account  of  this  wing  will  hereafter  be  given. 

The  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi  Railroad  Company  completed 
their  road  to  the  Mississippi  in  the  month  of  April,  1857.  It 
was  an  occasion  of  great  rejoicing.  On  the  16tli  of  that  month, 
an  excursion-trip  was  made,  which  was  largely  attended.  The 
opening  of  this  road  promised  great  results  to  the  western  part 
of  the  State,  which  had  been  entirely  cut  off  from  railroad 
communication  with  the  lake  shore.  In  a  accordance  with 
the  act  of  the  legislature,  approved  Feb.  28,  1857,  enabling  the 
regents  of  the  State  University  to  borrow  forty  thousand  dollars 
from  the  principal  of  the  university  fund  for  the  construction 
of  the  main  edifice  of  the  university,  to  which  reference  has 
before  been  made,  the  board  of  regents,  after  due  consulta- 
tion, adopted  a  plan  for  the  edifice  of  the  Roman  Doric  style 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


889 


of  architecture,  combining  beauty  of  outline  with  convenience 
of  internal  arrangement.  The  drawings  were  furnished  by- 
William  Tinsley  of  Indianapolis,  an  architect  of  experience 
and  reputation.  The  edifice  was  to  contain  a  chapel,  a  lecture- 
room  for  each  department,  with  study  annexed  for  the  use  of 
the  professor,  apartments  for  library,  apparatus,  cabinet,  and 
for  collections  in  natural  science  and  in  art. 

The  plan  was  accepted,  and  the  contract  for  the  building 
awarded  to  James  Campbell  for  the  entire  work,  to  be 
complete  at  $3<i,550 ;  he  being  the  lowest  bidder.  The  stone- 
work of  the  basement  story  was  in  an  advanced  state  of 
forwardness  in  the  fall  of  1857 ;  and  it  was  expected  that  it 
would  be  completed  before  winter,  so  as  to  enable  the  building- 
committee  to  complete  the  whole  structure  before  the  first  day 
of  November,  1858.  The  committee  in  their  report  say,  "  The 
exterior  plan  of  the  building  is  a  model  of  architecture,  impos- 
ing and  massive ;  and  the  internal  arrangements  are  such  as 
to  most  fully  meet  th«;  wants  and  necessities  of  the  institution 
in  all  its  several  apartments.  The  ground  was  broken  for  the 
construction  of  the  buUding  on  the  Ist  of  June,  1857.  The 
following  is  a  brief  account  of  its  arrangement.  It  stands  on 
the  highest  point  of  ground  in  the  university  park,  one 
hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  Lake  Mendota,  and  the  water 
table  of  the  structure  will  be  more  elevated  than  the  dome  of 
the  present  (old)  Capitol.  The  general  design  of  the  building 
is  a  parallelogram,  one  hundred  and  forty  by  seventy  feet,  and 
about  sixty  feet  to  the  cornice,  to  be  surmounted  by  a  dome 
whose  extreme  height  will  be  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet. 
It  is  not,  however,  a  building  of  plain  surface,  like  those  now 
erected,  but  is  broken  by  angles  and  projections,  securing 
additional  convenience,  and  higher  architectural  effect ;  giving 
adequate  space  for  its  cabinet  collections,  laboratory,  scientific 
apparatus,  libraries,  reading-rooms,  society-rooms,"  &c. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  commissioners  of  the  State 
Lunatic  Asylum,  held  May  5,  1857,  L.  J.  Farwell  was  elected 
president,  J.  P.  McGregor  secretary,  and  Levi  Sterling  build- 
ing-superintendent ;  and  they  employed  Stephen  V.  Shipman  as 
architect.  After  the  adoption  of  plans,  specifications,  and 
detailed  drawings,  notice  was  published  in  every  city  in  the 


840 


HISTORY  OF  WISC0N8TS. 


Stale,  that  proposals  would  be  received  until  Sept  1,  1S57, 
for  doing  all  the  work,  and  furnishing  all  the  materials,  in 
accordance  with  the  plan  and  specifications. 

On  the  1st  of  September,  the  bids  were  opened,  and  the 
contract  awarded  to  Nelson  McNiel  of  Portage  City,  as  the 
best  bidder,  for  building  the  central  or  main  building,  one 
longitudinal,  and  one  transverse  wing  for  the  sum  of  seventy- 
three  thousand  five  hundred  dollai's.  Mr.  McNiel,  after  making 
some  progress  on  the  work,  finally  abandoned  the  same,  and 
threw  up  his  contract,  which  caused  much  delay  in  the  comple- 
tion of  the  building. 

From  the  first  annual  report  of  the  commissioners  appointed 
to  locate  and  erect  a  house  of  refuge  for  juvenile  delinquents, 
the  commissioners  inform  us  that  they  accepted  an  invitation 
to  attend  a  convention  at  the  New  York  House  of  Refuge  in  the 
month  of  May,  where  seventeen  institutions  were  represented, 
and  also  the  institutions  located  at  Rochester,  N.Y.,  Massachu- 
setts Reform  School  at  Westborough,  and  other  institutions, 
from  which  they  received  much  valuable  information.  On  their 
return,  they  adopted  the  plan  of  the  Maine  State  Reform 
School.  The  pli  i  of  building  consisted  of  three  detached 
parallel  buildings,  each  fifty-nine  feet  distant,  and  all  united  by 
a  narrow  corridor  nine  feet  wide,  set  in  the  centre,  and  across 
each  building,  extending  through  the  whole,  adapting  all  in  their 
internal  accommodation,  and  external  view,  in  appearance,  to  one 
building.  The  central  building  was  sixty-four  by  one  hundred 
feet,  foiu^  stories  high  above  the  basement.  The  side-buildings 
were  to  be  fifty-seven  by  ninety-four  feet,  and  three  stories 
above  the  basement ;  the  corridor  two  stories  above  the  base- 
ment, to  be  built  of  Waukesha  stone.  The  whole  cost  of  the 
structure,  when  completed,  it  was  thought  would  exceed  largely 
the  appropriation  of  twenty  thousand  dollars.  The  institution 
is  located  at  Waukesha,  twenty  miles  west  of  Milwaukee,  and 
situated  on  the  Milwaukee  and  ^Mississippi  Railroad.  Sixty 
acres  of  land  were  to  be  donated  to  the  State  for  the  purchase 
of  the  location ;  and  eleven  acres  additional  Avere  to  be  pur- 
chased. A  portion  of  the  work  was  put  under  contract  to  be 
completed  the  same  season  so  as  to  afford  accommodations  for 
eighty  boys. 


HISTORr  OF  WISCONSIN. 


341 


Agreeably  to  law,  the  plan  adopted,  aud  the  contract  for 
building,  were  approved  by  Hon.  Coles  Bashford,  governor, 
David  W.  Jones,  secretary  of  state,  and  William  R.  Smith, 
attorney-general. 

The  Democratic  State  Convention  for  the  nomination  of  State 
officers  was  held  at  Madison,  Aug.  28, 1857.  Quite  a  spirited 
time  was  had.  On  the  third  formal  ballot,  James  B.  Cross 
received  eighty-nine  votes  for  governor ;  J.  C.  Fairchild,  thirty- 
seven  votes ;  F.  Huebschmann,  fourteen ;  and  a  number  scatter- 
ing. Mr.  Cross  was  nominated.  Edward  D.  Campbell  received 
eighty-three  votes  for  lieutenant-governor,  and  Henry  M. 
Billings,  fifty-one.  Mr.  Campbell  was  declared  nominated.  The 
other  candidates  put  in  nomination  were  David  W.  Jones  for 
secretary  of  state ;  Charles  Habich,  state  treasurer  ;  Gabriel 
Bouck,  attorney-general ;  Lyman  C.  Draper,  superintendent  of 
public  instruction;  J.  C.  Squires,  bank  comptroller;  Edward 
McGarry,  state-prison  commissioner. 

The  Republican  State  Convention  met  on  the  2d  of  Septem- 
ber. The  following  persons  were  nominated :  governor,  Alex- 
ander W.  Randall ;  lieutenant-governor,  Carl  Schurz ;  sec- 
retary of  state,  J.  L.  V.  Thomas  ;  treasurer,  S.  D.  Hastings  ; 
attorney-general,  JI.  M.  Jackson ;  bank  comptroller,  J.  P. 
McGregor;  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  J.  G. 
McMynn ;  state-prison  commissioner,  E.  McGraw. 

At  the  election  in  November,  A.  W.  Randall,  Republican, 
was  elected  governor  by  454  majority  ;  E.  D.  Campbell,  Demo- 
crat, lieutenant-governor  by  107  majority;  D.  W.  Jones, 
Democrat,  secretary  of  state,  1,88G  majority ;  S.  D.  Hastings, 
Republican,  treasurer,  379  majority  ;  Gabriel  Bouck,  Democrat, 
attorney-general,  516  majority ;  L.  C.  Draper,  Democrat,  sujier- 
intendent  of  public  instruction,  391  majority ;  J.  C.  Squires, 
Democrat,  bank  comptroller,  835  majority ;  and  Edward  M. 
McGraw,  Republican,  State-prison  commissioner. 

The  year  1857  will  be  remembered  by  many  as  a  disastrous 
one  in  a  financial  point  of  view.  Early  in  the  fall,,  what  is 
known  as  a  monetary  panic  came  over  the  country ;  and  the 
Western  States  felt  it  severely,  and  Wisconsin  among  the  num- 
ber. A  number  of  prominent  merchants  were  obliged  to  j-ield 
to  the  pressure  and  scarcity  of  money,  and  close  up  their  places 


842  nrsTOBT  OF  wiscoNsrif. 

of  business.    Tlio  following  statistics  are  from  the  report  of  the 
secretary  of  state  for  the  year  1856 :  — 


Aggregate  number  of  acres  of  land  assessed 
Aggregate  valuation  per  acre 
Aggregate  valuation  of  land  assessed     . 
Aggregate  valuation  of  city  and  village  lots 
Aggregate  valuation  of  personal  property 
Aggregate  assessed       ,        .        .        • 
Valuation  equalized       .        .        .        • 
State  tax,  ratio  two  mills      .        .        • 


11,891,920 

$3.22 

$38,208,908 

10,423,839 

5,524,455 

64,217,202 

160,000,000 

300,000 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 


ADMINISTRATION   OF  GOV.  RANDALL. 

Event!)  of  IKjR — The  Governor's  Message — Alleged  Fratids  concurnln);  Land 
Giants  —  The  Investigation  —  Bill  for  the  Beuioval  of  the  Capital  to  Milwaukee 
—  Legislation. 


The  administration  of  Colea  Bashford  as  governor  of  the 
State  closed  on  the  fourth  day  of  January,  1858.  On  that 
day,  the  inauguration  of  the  new  State  officers  took  place  at  ten, 
A.M.  Only  the  governor,  secretary  of  state,  state  treasurer, 
and  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  were  present,  of  the 
new  officers.  Quite  a  number  of  the  citizens  of  Madison  were 
present,  though  not  as  many  as  usual,  owing  to  a  misunder- 
standing as  to  the  time  of  the  inauguration.  The  oath  of  office 
was  administered  to  Alexander  W.  Randall,  governor ;  David  W. 
Jones,  secretary  of  state  ;  Samuel  D.  Hastings,  state  treasiirer ; 
and  Lyman  C.  Draper,  stite  superintendent  of  public  instruc- 
tion ;  and,  subsequently,  to  William  H.  Watson,  Gov.  Randall's 
private  secretary,  by  Hon.  Orsamus  Cole,  one  of  the  justices  of 
the  Supreme  Court.  The  other  officers  elect  were  expected  to 
arrive  during  the  day.  Gov.  Randall  appointed  Rufus  Parks 
superintendent  of  public  ])roperty,  and  Horace  Rublee,  state 
librarian.  Gen.  J.  Duane  Ruggles  was  appointed  assistant 
secretary  of  state  ;  F.  A.  Sc  ofield,  assistant  state  treasurer ;  and 
S.  H.  Carpenter,  assistant  s  aperintendent  of  public  instruction. 

The  eleventh  session  of  the  legislature  was  held  on  the  18th 
of  January,  1858,  and  adjourned  on  the  17th  of  March,  after  an 
unusually  long  session  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  days. 

In  the  senate,  Hon.  E.  D.  Campbell,  lieutenant-governor 
elect,  took  his  seat  as  presidtit,  and  J.  L.  V.  Thomas  was 
elected  secretary-,  and  Nathan  L.  Stout  sergeant-at-arms.    In 

344 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


845 


the  assembly,  Frederick  S.  Lovell  was  elected  speaker,  L.  H.  D. 
Crano  chief  clerk,  and  Francis  Massing  sergeant-at-arma.  The 
political  complexion  of  the  legislature  was  as  follows :  senate, 
eighteen  Republicans  and  twelve  Democrats ;  the  assembly, 
fifty-one  Republicans  and  forty-six  Democrats.  Gov.  Randall 
in  his  message  gives  the  following  statistics :  estimated  receipts 
for  the  year  1858,  $525,824.25,  and  the  revenue  to  meet  the 
same,  $455,478.59,  —  a  deficit  of  $70,845.66  ;  and  says  in  regard 
to  the  same,  "  The  report  presents  a  gloomy  prospect  for  the 
tax-payers  of  the  State,  especially  in  the  present  time  of  great 
financial  distress ;  "  but  he  added,  "  This  deficit  will  be  reduced 
by  the  issue  and  sale  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  of  State  bonds  to 
replace  that  number  which  are  due  the  present  year,  and  for 
the  payment  of  which  the  new  bonds  will  be  issued  and 
sold."  He  reports  the  whole  number  of  school-children  in  the 
State  as  241,647,  an  increase  of  27,701  over  the  number  reported 
for  the  previous  year ;  the  number  of  children  who  had  attended 
the  public  schools,  153,613 ;  and  the  amount  apportioned  to  the 
schools  in  March,  1857,  sixty-six  cents  to  each  scholar ;  and  the 
apparent  amoimt  to  be  apportioned  the  present  year,  about 
$230,000,  nearly  ninety-five  cents  to  each  pupil.  He  further 
reported  that  there  were  fifty-seven  pupils  in  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb  Institution,  and  twenty  in  the  Institute  for  the  Blind ; 
that  the  commissioners  of  the  Hospital  for  the  Insane  had  let  the 
contract  for  the  building,  and  progress  had  been  made  in  the 
work ;  that  the  productive  fund  of  the  university  was  $315,913.46, 
giving  an  income  of  $22,116.74.  The  institution  had  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty-four  students  in  attendance.  He  said  that  the 
State  Historical  Society  had  a  library  of  over  four  thousand 
volumes,  and  about  the  same  number  of  unbound  documents 
and  pamphlets,  a  collection  of  forty  oil  portraits,  and  a  cabinet 
of  geological  and  antiquarian  specimens  ;  and  he  recommended 
every  reasonable  facility  for  its  substantial  prosperity.  He 
gave  a  few  statistics  of  the  agricultural  productions  of  the 
State  for  the  year,  as  reported  to  the  secretary  of  state  ;  viz., 
barley,  409,000  bushels ;  corn,  5,100,790  bushels ;  oats,  6,312,304 
btishels;  potatoes,  2,318,694  bushels;  wheat,  8,717,756  bushels; 
butter,  6,655,686  pounds ;  and  22,706,700  pounds  of  lead  ;  and 
he  recommended  important  amendments  to  the  banking-law. 


^ 


846 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


He  reported  that  tlie  whole  number  of  banking  associations 
orgo'iized  and  doing  business  in  the  State  was  seventy-five,  of 
which  number  tAver.ty-seven  were  organized  in  1857  ;  the  whole 
amount  of  circiilatint."  nr  les  to  January,  1858,  was  $3,215,488, 
which  werf  secured  ^ -y  the  deposit  of  public  stock  and  specie 
in  the  sum  of  $3,862,' '^tl ;  that  the  revision  of  laAvs  under  the 
law  of  1857  was  nearly  completed.  He  referred  to  excessive 
local  legislation,  and  to  the  enforcement  of  the  laws  on  that 
subject,  and  recommended  a  change  in  the  assessment  laws.  He 
referred  to  the  Pacific  Railroad,  which  he  heartily  recom- 
mended, and  to  the  slavery  question,  which  was  greatly  agitating 
the  country,  and  took  strong  party  grounds  against  its  extension 
into  new  Territories.  He  also  referred  to  the  grave  charges  that 
had  been  made  the  previous  year,  of  corrupt  conduct  in  the 
legislature,  which  disposed  of  the  grants  of  land  donated  to  the 
State  for  railroad  purposes,  and  recommended  a  thorough  inves- 
gation  of  the  same. 

On  the  21  ;i;  of  January,  the  select  committee  of  the  assembly, 
to  whom  had  been  referred  that  portion  of  the  governor's  mes- 
sage relating  to  alleged  frauds  and  corrupt  conduct  in  relation 
to  land-grants,  made  a  report,  and  recommended  the  adoption  of 
the  following  resolution :  — 

"  Renolved,  by  the  assembly,  the  senate  concurring,  that  a  committee  of 
three  members  of  the  senate,  and  five  of  the  assembly,  be  raised,  wiiuso  duty 
shall  be  fully  and  impartially  to  investigate  into  tlie  frauds,  bribery,  and 
corrupt  acts  reported  or  alleged  to  have  been  perjietrated  or  committed  by 
members  of  the  legislature  or  others,  in  the  disposal,  or  procuring  the  dispo- 
ss'  by  the  legislature  f  1836,  of  the  lauds  granted  to  the  State  to  aid  in  the 
construction  of  railroads,  by  act  of  Cc.gress  approved  June  3,  1850,  &c.  j 
and  that  same  joint  committee  and  a  majority  thereof  are  hereby  vested 
with  plenary  power  to  perform  and  discharge  this  duty,  and  may  send  for 
and  compel  the  attendance  of  witnesses,  and  the  production  of  papers, 
documents,  and  records,  with  power  to  employ  one  or  more  clerks,  to 
administer  oaths,  and  to  report  to  the  legislature  the  facts  found,  and  the 
testimony  taken  by  them." 

This  resolution  was  passed  by  the  assembly,  and  concurred  in 
by  the  senate,  and  the  committee  appointed,  of  which  Hon. 
Denison  Worthington  was  chairman.  On  the  13th  of  May,  the 
committee  made  a  voluminous  report  on  the  subject,  with  the 
testimony  taken  in  the  case.     Many  persons  of  political  and 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


847 


personal  high  standing  were  irvolved  more  or  less  hy  tho 
report.  How  far  all  the  charges,  light  or  heavy,  are  sustained 
by  the  testimony,  must  be  left  to  the  judgment  of  the  people 
of  the  State,  l^^any  who  had  been  supposed  to  have  been 
deeply  implicated  were  but  little,  if  any,  involved  in  any  crim- 
inal action  ;  and  others,  whose  purity  had  been  regarded  aa 
above  suspicion,  were  believed  to  be  guilty. 

The  members  of  both  political  parties  were  involved  in  the 
charges  preferred  and  in  the  result.  It  appears  by  the  report, 
that  thirteen  senators  and  fifty-nme  members  of  the  assembly 
were  implicated ;  also  the  bank-comptroller,  lieutenant-governor, 
private  secretary  of  the  governor,  a  judge  of  Uic  supreme 
court,  three  officers  of  the  assembly,  and  some  twenty-three 
prominent  lobbyists  and  public  men  interested  in  the  land- 
grant.  Bonds  and  stock  tc  :  he  par  value  of  one  hundred  and 
seventy-five  thousand  dollars  were  given  or  assigned  to  the  sena- 
tors ;  four  of  whom  received  or  were  assigned  the  sum  of  twenty 
thousand  dollars,  and  the  remainder  ten  thousand  dollars  each. 
In  the  assembly,  bonds  and  stock  ivtre  assigned  to  the  value  of 
three  hundred  and  fifty-five  tho'asand  dollars ;  one  of  which,  to 
the  amount  of  twenty  thousand  dollars ;  eight,  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars each ;  and  the  remainder,  five  thousand  dollars  each.  One 
senator  who  voted  for  the  land-grant  bill  in  the  senate  declined 
receiving  his  share ;  and  in  the  assembly  four  members  voted 
for  the  bill  who  had  no  bonds  assigned  them  ;  and  in  the  sen- 
ate lOur  members  voted  for  the  bill,  1  ut  had  no  bonds.  Those 
who  voted  iigainst  the  passage  of  the  bill  in  both  houses,  to 
the  numbe'  of  eighteen,  were  excluded  from  any  participation 
in  the  ben  -fits  being  distributed.  The  tlirer  State  oflicers 
received  ten  thousand  dollars  eacii,  and  the  private  secretary 
of  the  goYernor  five  thousand  dollars. 

In  making  out  the  list  of  persona  who  were  to  be  the  recipi- 
ents of  bonds,  tne  amount  designated  on  the  book  was  given 
opposite  their  respective  names.  The  committee  report  that  the 
figures  indicated  the  number  of  bonds,  of  one  thousand  dollars 
each,  that  were  to  go  to  some  one  ;  making  in  all  the  sum  of 
fifty  thousand  dollars.  In  the  list  were  five  dashes.  These  dashes 
were  intended  to  represent  the  governor.  Coles  Bashford.  This 
is  (^uite   evident  fiom  a  reply  to  a  question  propounded  to 


34S 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSm. 


Byron  Kilboiirn,  as  to  wlio  was  the  person  thus  indicated.  He 
was  asked  if  it  was  the  governor.  He  replied  that  the  inquirer 
"  was  a  very  good  guesser." 

It  is  not  necessary  to  go  further  into  details  in  relation  to 
this  affair.  It  created  great  excitement  all  over  the  State,  as 
well  as  at  the  East,  much  to  the  discredit  of  the  people  of 
Wisconsin.  It  may  be  proper  to  give  the  names  of  some  of 
the  parties  whose  names  are  given  as  the  recipients  of  these 
pecuniary  favors,  wlio  subsequently  denied  receiving  them ; 
but  we  forego  the  temptation. 

Among  otlier  measures  that  were  before  the  legislature  was 
a  bill,  introduced  toward  the  close  of  tlie  session,  for  the  re- 
moval of  the  State  capital,  temporarily,  to  Milwaukee.  The 
bill  came  up  ^n  its  passage,  the  15th  of  May,  in  the  assembly, 
having  been  ordered  to  a  third  reading  the  day  before.  The 
closest  vote  of  the  session  was  had  on  it.  On  the  first  vote 
there  was  a  tie,  the  speaker  not  voting.  Mr.  J.  H.  Knowlton 
(opposed  to  the  bill)  changed  his  vote  for  it,  which  carried  it, 
and  immediately  moved  a  reconsideration.  The  reconsidera- 
tion was  carried  by  one  majority,  —  thirt^'-nine  to  thirty-eight. 
The  final  vote  was  then  taken  ;  and  there  was  an  exact  tie, 
everj'  man  voting.  As  it  requires  a  majority  to  carry  u  bill,  it 
was  of  course  lost. 

The  history  of  this  movement  is  a  singular  one.  It  was 
begun  onl}'  in  jest ;  but,  by  one  means  or  another,  it  grew  into 
a  serious  matter,  and  came  so  near  success,  that,  on  the  day  pre- 
vious, the  proposition  had  a  majority  of  six  in  the  assembly. 
The  attempt  only  anchored  more  firmly  the  capital  at  its  pres- 
ent advantageous  location. 

There  was  consideraljle  feeling  in  the  legislature  in  refei'cnce 
to  the  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  State  University  ;  and  a 
committee,  of  which  Temple  Clark  of  the  senate  was  chairman, 
made  a  report  on  the  same,  to  the  effect  that  certain  changes 
should  be  made.  In  consequence  of  the  public  sentiment  ex- 
pressed, the  board  of  regents,  at  their  meeting  on  the  2d  and 
Od  of  June,  I808,  passed  an  ordinance  embodying  the  plan  of 
organization,  in  its  main  features,  of  the  assembly  liill  on  the 
subject ;  organizing  the  department  of  '•  science,  literature,  and 
the  arts,"  of  the  following  schools  :  agriculture,  commerce,  engi- 


850 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


neering,  natural  science,  philology,  philosophy,  and  polity  ;  the 
establishing  of  five  scholarslups  yielding  one  hundred  dollars 
per  annum  each,  to  be  awarded,  on  examination,  to  meritori- 
ous young  men  desirous  of  pursuing  an  extended  course  in  any 
of  the  university  schools.  The  department  of  "  science,  liter- 
ature, and  the  arts  "  was  to  report  to  the  Board  a  system  of 
higher  graduation.  All  schools  or  chairs  of  instruction  pre- 
viously established  in  the  university,  by  ordinance  or  otherwise, 
were  abolished ;  and  all  appointments  in  the  same  were  de- 
clared to  be  null  and  void.  This  ordinance  was  to  go  into 
full  force  and  effect  at  the  opening  of  the  next  academic  year, 
on  the  fourth  Wednesday  of  September,  1858.  A  committee 
of  correspondence  was  appointed  to  report  to  the  July  meeting 
of  the  Board.  At  the  adjourned  meeting,  July  29,  Chancel- 
lor Lathrop  resigned  his  position ;  which  was  accepted,  and 
resolutions  adopted,  testifying  to  his  untiring  devotion  to  the 
interests  of  the  institution,  and  that  his  long  and  faithful 
administration  met  with  their  unqualified  approval.  On  the 
day  following,  the  regents  elected  the  following  persons  as 
professors :  Hon.  J.  H.  Lathrop,  LL.D.,  professor  of  ethical 
and  political  science ;  Daniel  Read,  professor  of  mental  phi- 
losophy, logic,  &c. ;  J.  W.  Sterling,  professor  of  mathematics 
and  natural  philosophy ;  Ezra  Carr,  professor  of  chemistry 
and  natural  history ;  J.  D.  Butler,  professor  of  ancient  lan- 
guages ;  J.  C.  Pickard,  professor  of  modern  languages  ;  and 
Henry  Barnard,  LL.D.,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  as  chancellor. 

The  legislature  passed  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  bills  of  a 
general  nature,  and  two  hundred  and  eighty-one  of  a  private 
and  local  character,  five  joint  resolutions,  and  forty-one  memo- 
rials to  Congress.  The  following  are  a  few  of  the  more  impor- 
tant general  laws  passed  :  to  authorize  the  borrowing  of  money, 
on  the  faith  and  credit  of  the  State,  for  the  purpose  of  defray- 
ing extraordinary  expenditures,  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  of 
State  bonds  to  be  issued  and  sold  for  that  purpose  ;  for  the  for- 
mation of  county  agricultural  societies ;  to  provide  for  the 
incorporation  of  academies  and  other  institutions  of  learning ; 
to  provide  for  disposing  of  the  drainage  fund,  and  the  distribu- 
tion of  the  interest  thereof ;  for  the  organization,  enrolling,  and 
discipline  of  the  mihtia  of  the  State ;  to  amend  an  act  entitled 


HiaTORY  OF  WISCONSIK. 


851 


"  An  Act  to  authorize  the  Business  of  Banking ; "  an  act  relat- 
ing to  the  public  printing  ;  to  amend  the  law  relating  to  the  as- 
sessment and  collection  of  taxes  ;  to  amend  the  law  on  offences 
against  the  public  policy  ;  a  strong  anti-gambling  law ;  to  pro- 
vide for  levying  a  State  tax  for  1858,  of  three  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  dollars ;  to  authorize  the  governor  to  visit  the 
several  State  and  public  institutions  in  other  States,  and  to 
appropriate  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  services  and 
expenses  incurred  in  so  doing ;  and  in  relation  to  the  publica- 
tion of  the  revised  statutes.  To  summarize  :  tliere  were  thirty- 
eight  laws  amending  general  laws,  ten  relative  to  circuit  courts, 
eighty-three  amendatory  to  private  and  laws,  twelve  on  rail- 
roads, twenty  on  schools,  twenty-six  State  roads,  fourteen  on 
taxation. 

In  relation  to  this  session  of  the  legislature,  "  The  Madison 
Patriot "  says,  — 

"  The  legislature  which  closed  its  labors  on  the  17th  will  long  be  remem- 
bered as  one  of  the  most  remarkable,  in  many  respects,  of  all  those  that 
preceded  it.  That  a  large  majority  of  the  members  were  :ncn  of  in- 
tegrity, and  disposed  for  the  public  weal,  cannot  bo  doubted;  but  they 
were  nearly  all  new  members,  and  without  former  legislative  experieuou. 
They  set  out  to  accomplish  a  groat  good,  by  holding  up  to  public  scorn  and 
execration  the  wholesale  briberies  and  iniquities  of  the  immediate  past : 
but  they  lacked  concentration  of  effort;  and,  for  waut  of  union  and  precon- 
certed action,  they  failed  to  achieve  the  great  triumph  they  sought,  by  pro- 
viding a  '  sovereign  remedy '  for  the  evils  they  exposed.  Although  the 
business  of  legislation  was  greatly  retarded  by  the  various  investigations, 
still  the  revision  of  the  statutes  consumed  loss  time  than  was  reasonably 
expected.  This  massive  work  passed  through  the  forms  of  legislation 
nearly  as  perfect  as  it  came  from  the  revisers,  — a  compliment  to  the  com- 
mission, of  no  mean  magnitude." 

On  the  l.jth  of  June,  likk  were  opened  fur  the  printing  of  the 
Revised  Statutes  as  autlmrizeil  Ijy  the  legislature ;  and  tlie  same 
was  awarded  to  \V.  B.  Keen  of  Chicago  as  the  lowest  bidder. 

The  governor  appointed,  on  tlic  7th  of  June,  H.  A.  Teuney, 
state  comptroller.  Subsequently  the  law  under  which  the 
appointment  was  made  was  declared  unconstitutional  by  the 
Supreme  Court. 

An  exciting  criminal  case  took  place  at  Portage  City  in  the 
month  of  April.    John  B.  Du  Bay  was  charged  with  killing  a 


352 


BIBTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


man  by  the  name  of  Reynolds.  The  jury,  however,  disagreed ; 
and  the  case  adjourned  to  next  term  of  the  circuit  court  at 
Madison,  when  another  trial  was  had  with  the  same  result. 

At  the  fall  elections  of  1858,  John  F.  Potter,  Cadwalader 
C.  Washburn,  and  Charles  H.  Larrabee  were  elected  members 
of  the  Thirty-sixth  Congress.  The  opposing  candidates  were 
Beriah  Brown,  Charles  Dunn,  and  Charles  Billinghurst. 
]\Iessrs.  Potter  and  Washburn  were  Republicans,  and  Jlr.  Lar- 
rabee, Democrat ;  and  of  the  members  of  the  legislature  of 
18G0  elected,  in  the  senate  there  were  fourteen  Democrats  and 
sixteen  Republicans ;  and  in  the  assembly,  forty-seven  Demo- 
crats, forty-nine  Republicans,  and  one  Independent. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

ADMINISTUATION  OF  GOV.  RANDALL. 

Svent8otl869  —  Legislation  —  Tho  Basliford  Investigation  —  The  State  Institn- 
tions  —  Death  of  Chief-Justice  Wheaton. 


The  work  on  the  east  wiug  of  the  new  Capitol  had  sufficiently 
progressed  to  admit  of  occupancy  by  the  legislature  in  1859. 
The  legislature  convened  on  the  12th  of  January,  and  adjourned 
on  the  21st  of  March,  after  a  session  of  sixty-nine  days.  The 
officers  were  as  follows  :  — 

Hon.  E.  D.  Campbell,  lieutenant-governor,  president  of  the 
senate,  Hiram  Bowen  secretary,  and  Asa  Kenney  sergeant-at- 
arms.  In  the  assembly,  William  P.  Lyon  was  chosen  speaker, 
L.  H.  D.  Crane  chief  clerk,  and  Dr.  Emanuel  IMunk  sergeant- 
at-arms.  Gov.  Randall,  in  his  message,  stated  that  the  total 
receipts  into  the  general  fund  during  the  calendar  year,  1858 
(excluding  the  bank-tax  due  Jan.  1,  1859,  wliich  belonged 
to  the  revenue  of  the  following  year)  were  $358,058.11,  being 
largely  below  the  amount  estimated  by  the  secretary  of 
state  in  his  last  annual  report ;  and  the  disbursements  from  the 
general  fund  for  the  year  1858  were  •$440,253.16.  The  esti- 
mated income  into  the  general  fund  from  all  sources  for  the 
year  1859,  including  arrearages  due  the  State,  and  excluding  the 
deficiency  in  the  account  of  Treasurer  Janssen,  was  $632,156.55. 
The  following  are  statistics  from  reports  of  State  officers  and 
benevolent  institutions.  The  whole  number  of  banking  asso- 
ciations on  Jan.  1, 1858,  was  seventy-four,  having  an  aggregate 
capital  of  $5,940,000 ;  thirty-two  new  banks  had  been  organ- 
ized in  1858,  with  an  aggregate  capital  of  $2,240,000 ;  and  seven 
banks  had  increased  their  capital  to  the  amount  of  $275,000. 
Eight  banks  had  relinquished  business,  leavuig  the  whole  num- 

23  353 


354 


IIISTOIiY  OF    WISCOSSfN. 


ber  in  operation  Jan.  1,  1859,  nincty-niue,  with  an  aggi-egate 
capital  of  $8,045,000.  The  whole  amount  of  countersigned 
notes  in  circulation  was  $4,882,442,  which  were  secured  by  the 
deposit  of  stocks  and  specie  to  tlie  value  of  §5,439,576.95. 

The  whole  number  of  children  in  the  State,  between  the  ages 
of  four  and  twenty,  was  264,078  ;  an  increase  over  1857  of  22,- 
669.  Value  of  schoolhouse  property,  8863,478.49;  and  the 
amount  expended  for  teachers'  wages,  over  §334,000. 

The  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institution  reported  fifty-two  pupils  in 
attendance,  and  that  the  main  building  required  some  ten 
thousand  dollars  to  complete  the  same. 

The  Blind  Institution  reported  an  attendance  of  twenty-five 
pupils,  and  asked  nine  thousand  dollars  for  its  support,  and  about 
thirteen  thousand  dollars  for  fencing,  grading,  school-apparatus, 
and  a  workshop  for  male  pupils. 

The  House  of  Refuge  reported  progress  in  the  erection  of 
their  buildings,  and  recommended  a  change  of  name,  so  as  to 
give  the  institution  the  name  of  "  State  Reform  School." 

The  Hospital  for  the  Insane  reported  December,  1859,  that  on 
the  22d  of  June  they  appointed  J.  Edwards  Lee,  M.D.,  late  of 
Pennsylvania  Hospital  of  the  Insane,  superintendent ;  that  the 
portion  of  the  building  which  had  been  in  course  of  erection 
was  approaching  completion  ;  and  that,  as  soon  as  the  necessary 
appropriations  could  be  made  for  the  support  of  the  institution, 
the  house  could  be  opened  for  the  reception  of  patients. 

The  whole  number  of  convicts  in  the  State-prison  was  two 
hundred  and  eighty-seven ;  and  tlie  appropriations  requii'ed  for 
current  expenses  were  thirty  thousand  dollars. 

The  governor  referred  to  the  land-grants  and  the  La  Crosse  & 
Milwaukee  Railroad,  and  gave  his  reason  for  reftisiug  to  execute 
deeds  of  conveyance  of  lands  to  which  the  company  claimed  it 
was  entitled  ;  and  said  that  the  comi)any  had  tailed  to  build  the 
road  from  Madison  and  from  Portage  City  according  to  law,  and 
recommended  some  action  by  the  legislature  in  regard  thereto. 
He  recommended  a  change  in  the  interest  law,  so  as  to  limit 
the  rate  to  seven  per  cent.  Ho  also  reiterated  his  views  in 
regard  to  the  relative  powers  and  duties  of  the  Federal  and 
State  governments,  and  in  regard  to  the  power  and  duty  of 
Congress  to  prohibit  slavery  in  the  Territories  by  positive  enact- 


866 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


ment.  He  recommended  a  short  session,  adhesiveness  to  the 
laws  of  the  State  on  special  legislation ;  and  reported  that  the 
credit  of  the  State  was  unimpaired,  that  the  State  had  been 
guilty  of  no  repudiation,  and  that  there  was  no  stain  upon  its 
honor,  although  individuals  or  corporations  had  been  corrupt 
or  unfortunate,  and  failed  of  their  promises.  "  Unlike  other 
States,  Wisconsin  makes  no  concealment  of  public  crimes,  and 
has  no  hiding-place  for  unfaithful  servants." 

On  the  '2d  of  February.  ' '  irrison  C.  Ilobart,  Moses  M.  Davis, 
Nelson  Dewey,  O.  M.  Con(, .  or,  and  Carl  Schurz  were  elected  by 
the  legislature  regents  of  the  State  University.  On  the  3d, 
Coles  Bashford,  late  governor  of  the  State,  sent  a  communication 
to  the  assembly,  asking  an  investigation  of  the  charges  that  had 
been  preferred  against  him  in  the  public  prints  and  elsewhere, 
and  that  he  was  prepared  to  purge  himself  of  each  and  every 
charge  of  corruption  which  had  been  made  against  him,  in  rela- 
tion to,  or  growing  out  of,  the  grant  of  lands  tu  the  State  for 
railroad  purposes.  On  the  receipt  of  this  communication,  a 
committee  of  five  Avas  appointed  to  examine  and  report  on  the 
same  ;  which  committee  on  the  9th  of  March  reported  that  they 
had  given  the  memorial  consideration,  and  had  taken  a  large 
amount  of  testimony  relating  to  all  the  charges  which  had  been 
brought  against  Gov.  Bashford  toudiing  the  disposition  of  said 
grant,  and  were  of  the  unanimous  opinion  that  the  evidence 
shows  that  the  fifty  bonds  referred  to  in  the  report  of  the  inves- 
tigating committee  were  received  by  Gov.  Bashford,  as  a  gratu- 
ity from  the  La  Crosse  Company,  after  the  grant  had  been 
disposed  of,  and  without  any  previous  understanding  that  he 
was  to  receive  the  same,  or  any  favor  whatever,  from  said  com- 
pany ;  but  the  committee  strongly  disapproved  of  the  accept- 
ance of  said  gratuity,  or  a  similar  acceptance  by  any  public 
officer,  of  favors  from  those  having  business-relations  of  an 
official  character  with  him.  The  committee,  however,  believed 
it  due  to  Gov.  Basliford  to  say,  that  they  could  not  find  that  he 
was  influenced,  in  his  official  action  in  the  disposal  of  the  grant, 
by  any  favor  from  the  La  Crosse  Company ;  nor  do  they  believe 
that  he  ever  intended  it  should  influence  his  action  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  official  duties  ;  and  in  conclusion  they  stated  that 
the  evidence  during  the  investigation  showed  that  he  was  actu- 


fffSTORr  OF  WISCONSm. 


867 


atcd  by  good  motives  in  the  disposition  of  the  grant,  and  that, 
in  regard  thereto,  he  meant  to  guard  and  protect  every  interest 
of  the  State  which  might  be  affected  by  it. 

The  legislature  adjourned  March  21,  having  passed  two 
hundred  and  twenty-three  general,  and  two  hundred  and  forty- 
seven  private  and  local  laws.  In  reference  to  this  session,  it  is 
said  by  one  of  the  local  papers  at  the  capital,  "  that,  of  all  we 
have  seen  assembled  here,  none  has  seemed  actuated  by  a  more 
earnest  desire  to  promote  the  public  good,  and  none  has  sur- 
passed it  in  the  intelligence  and  general  good  sense  of  its  mem- 
bers ;  and,  while  it  has  sought  to  reduce  the  general  expendi- 
tures of  the  State,  it  lias  been  generous  towards  all  public 
charities;  and,  in  providing  for  the  completion  of  the  asylums  of 
the  deaf  and  dumb,  the  blind,  and  the  insane,  and  tor  public 
libraries  in  the  several  towns  of  the  State,  has  shown  that  it 
was  governed  by  wise  and  enlightened  principles  of  legisla- 
tion." 

Among  the  most  important  subjects  which  this  legislature 
considered  and  disposed  of  were  the  amendments  to  the  Revised 
Statutes,  some  sixty-six  acts;  the  mortgage  law,  authorizing 
the  redemption  of  lands  sold  under  foreclosure  of  mortgages 
by  judgment  or  decree  of  court ;  the  assessment  law,  a  meas- 
ure beyond  many  otiiers  difficult  to  frame,  and  which  it  was 
believed  would  prove  of  great  value  to  the  State  ;  to  prescribe 
and  limit  the  rate  of  interest ;  and  an  act  to  provide  for  the 
government  of  the  Wisconsin  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane. 
Five  joint  resolutions  and  twenty  memorials  were  also  passed. 
Of  the  private  and  local  laws,  sixtj-four  were  amendments  to 
charters,  twenty-two  relative  to  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  twenty- 
Bix  to  State  roads,  eighteen  to  school-districts,  and  others 
of  more  or  less  importance. 

The  act  to  provide  for  levying  a  State  tax  for  the  year  1859 
was  satisfactory  to  the  people,  from  the  fact  that  only  one 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  were  levied,  —  about  one- 
third  the  amount  the  State  had  annually  paid  for  the  previous 
six  j'ears. 

Among  the  measures  that  were  brought  before  the  legisla- 
ture was  one  providing  for  the  erection  of  the  west  wing  of 
the  Capitol,  and  appropriating  fifteen  thousand  dollars  towards 


8S8 


nisTonr  of  wrscossrs. 


the  work.  Up  to  tliis  date,  the  city  of  Mmlison  had  contribut- 
ed more  than  one-half  the  amount  expended  on  the  Capitol 
enlargement.  While  a  general  approbation  was  expressed  and 
felt  in  regard  to  the  new  Capitol,  it  was  nevertheless  thought 
by  many,  that  in  view  of  the  hard  times,  and  heavy  taxes  of 
the  previous  year,  it  was  inexpedient  to  make  any  appropria- 
tion for  continuing  the  work  that  season.  The  bill  making  the 
appropriation  was  not  introduced  until  late  in  the  session.  It 
did  not  reach  the  senate  until  the  bill  fixing  the  State  tax  at 
a  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  had  passed,  and  become 
a  law. 

The  amount  of  money  that  had  been  appropriated  by  the 
legislature  was  $221,575.03,  of  which  amount  $G3,210  was 
for  the  Insane  Hospital,  $34,775  for  the  Denf  and  Dumb  and 
Blind  Institutes,  $10,000  for  the  Reform  School,  $49,500  for  the 
State-prison,  $13,273.17  to  the  contractor  on  the  east  wing  of 
the  Capitol,  $10,000  contingent  fund,  and  $4,000  for  station- 
ery. 

On  the  12th  of  April,  1859,  Hon.  Edward  V.  Whiton,  LL.D., 
chief  justice  of  the  supreme  court,  died  at  his  residence  at 
Janesville,  in  the  fifty-fifth  year  of  his  age.  A  biographical 
memoir  of  this  distinguished  jurist  will  be  found  in  another 
part  of  this  volume. 

The  Democratic  State  Convention  for  the  nomination  of 
State  oflScers  was  held  on  the  24th  of  August,  1859.  F.  W. 
Horn  was  elected  president  on  the  eleventh  ballot,  Harrison  0. 
Hobart  was  nominated  for  governor,  and  the"  balance  of  the 
ticket  nominated  as  follows :  A.  S.  Palmer  lieutenant-governor, 
A.  B.  Alden  secretary  of  state.  Lion  Silverman  state  treasurer, 
J.  C.  Squires  bank  comptroller,  Samuel  Crawford  attorney-gen- 
eral, L.  C.  Draper  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  H.  C. 
Fleck  state-prison  commissioner. 

The  Republican  State  Convention  met  on  the  31st  of  August, 
H.  H.  Giles  president.  The  following  ticket  was  nominated: 
governor,  Alexander  W.  Randall ;  lieutenant-governor,  B.  G. 
Noble  ;  secretary  of  state,  L.  P.  Harvey ;  state  treasurer,  S.  D. 
Hastings  ;  attorney-general,  James  H.  Howe ;  bank  comptroller, 
G.  Van  Steenwyck;  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  J. 
L.  Pickard ;  state-prison  commissioner,  H.  C.  Heg. 


n  I  STORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


359 


At  the  election  in  NovemLer,  the  whole  Repul)lican  ticket 
was  elected.  The  wliole  number  of  votes  polled  for  governor 
was  122,982,  of  wliich  number,  Gov.  Randall  received  63,406, 
and^  H.  C.  Hobart  59,516  ;  the  majority  fur  the  former  being 
o,yoO. 


w^ 


CHAPTEPt   XXXV. 


ADMIXISTEATIOX  OF  GOV.   EAND.VLL. 


Events  of  V  ■>0—  Statistics  — Legislation  — rre^^iileutial  Election— Congressional 

Election,  &c. 

On  Monday,  Jan.  2,  18G0,  tlie  State  officers  elect  were 
inaugurated  at  eleven  o'clock,  A.M.,  at  the  assemlily  chamber; 
the  oaths  of  office  heing  administered  by  Chief  Justice  L.  S. 
Dixon.  Quite  a  number  of  citizens  were  present  to  witness 
the  ceremony.  In  the  evening,  an  informal  levee  was  Jield  at 
the  Assembly  Hall,  which  was  quite  crowded  with  a  concourse 
of  citizens  to  meet  and  congratulate  the  new  officers.  The 
Governor's  Guards,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  George  P. 
Delaplaine,  and  che  ]\Iadison  Guards,  commanded  by  Capt. 
Samuel  Crawford,  appeared  in  full  uniform,  armed  and 
equipped,  upon  the  floor,  and,  after  going  through  with 
various  evolutions,  were  introduced  to  the  governor  and  other 
State  officers. 

The  thirteenth  annual  session  of  tlic  State  legislature  con- 
vened Jan.  10,  18G0,  and  adjourned  Ai>ril  '2,  18G0,  holding  a 
session  of  eighty-two  days.  Butler  G.  Xoble,  lieutenant- 
governor  elect,  being  president  of  the  senate,  J.  II.  Warren 
chief  clerk,  and  Asa  Kinney  sergeant-at-arms.  In  the  assem- 
bly, William  P.  Lyon  whs  re-elected  speaker,  L.  II.  D.  Crane 
chief  clerk,  and  Joseph  Gates  sergeant-at-arnis. 

Gov.  Randall,  in  his  message,  said  that  tlie  difficulties  and 
embai"assments  under  which  the  State  bad  labored  had  been 
outgrown.  He  gave  some  statistics  from  the  annual  report 
ci  State  officers,  and  trustees  of  benevolent  and  humane  insti- 
tutions ;  viz.,  that  there  was  a  balance  in  the  State  treasvirj', 
Sept.  30,  1859  (the  end  of  the  fiscal  year),  belonging  to  the  gen- 

3G0 


362 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


eral  fund,  of  811, '205.11 ;  and,  up  to  that  date,  all  demands  upon 
that  fund  luul  been  promptly  paid  on  presentation,  and  that  the 
State  owed  no  floating  debt.  He  referred  to  the  demand  against 
the  State  by  James  Ross,  state  printer,  which  had  been  audited 
by  tlie  secretary  of  state,  the  legality  and  correctness  of  which 
was  denied  by  the  state  treasurer,  and  which,  therefore,  he  re- 
fused to  paj'.  Tlie  amount  claimed,  and  unpaid  for  the  above 
reasons,  was  638,762.10,  of  which  §<16,884,0G  were  claimed  from 
the  general  fund.  The  aggregate  receipts  into  this  fund  dur- 
ing the  calendar  year  ending  Dec.  81,  1859,  were  $534,051.28, 
and  the  aggregate  disburfcments,  8490,522.96 :  of  the  amount 
expended,  tlie  sum  of  8176,875.65  was  for  charitable  institutions, 
Capitol  extension,  and  State-prison ;  and  the  sum  of  8124,768.85 
was  for  charitable  institutions,  certified  accounts,  &c.,  belonging 
to  ac'ounts  existing  previous  to  Jan.  1,  1859.  In  reference  to 
this  he  said,  — 

"  It  is  a  matter  of  concfratiilation,  that  the  finances  of  the  State  are  in  so 
sound  a  condition.  Unlilie  most  new  States,  Wisconsin  has  paid  for  her 
public  improvements,  without  crcatinjf  a  pormauont  State  debt  for  such 
purposes.  The  school  fund,  on  the  1st  of  October  last,  araountod  to  $3,001,- 
237.30,  producing,  o;i  interest  at  seven  per  cent,  §210.090.81 ;  and  the  amount 
to  be  appropriiifed  in  March  next  is  S24")  272.41.  The  University  fund  at 
the  same  date  amounted  to  $30<  1,725.22  ;  and  the  interest  therefrom,  $21,- 
O.')0.70  ;  which  amount  is  the  income  of  the  University,  adding  $501.04,  the 
balance  in  the  treasury  The  swamp-land  fund  amounted  to  $988,712.88, 
and  the  interest,  8(JO,'ji(it.O0.  The  number  of  acres  of  land  in  tlic  State, 
assessed  last  year,  was  17,411.418;  and  lim  equalized  valuation,  $0.78  per 
acre  ;  the  as^gregatc  valuation  of  personal  property  is  813,007,893  ;  and 
the  total  value  of  all  property  as  equalized,  $168,620,233.  The  total  taxation 
leviorl  last  year  was  one  and  four-tenths  mills  on  the  dollar  valuation,  pro- 
duciiiif  in  the  aggregate  the  sum  of  $234,310.11  of  revenue." 


Tliis  WIS  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  less  than  the  previous 
year,  and  less  than  any  year  f(jr  the  previous  six  years.  He 
reported  the  number  of  persons  of  school  age  for  1859  at  278,- 
871 ;  the  average  length  of  time  schools  had  been  taught,  five 
and  one-half  months ;  number  of  school  districts,  4,331 ;  value 
of  schoolhouso  property,  5"!. 185,181;  wages  paid  to  male 
teachers  822.93,  and  female  814.29 ;  and  the  whole  amount  paid 
for  teachers'  wages,  at  8536,860. 

The  wlitjic  number  of  banking  associations  doing  businetss 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


363 


Jan.  1,  1859,  was  ninety-nine,  ■with  an  aggrogute  capital  of 
$8,045,000.  Fifteen  new  banks  had  been  organized  during  the 
year,  with  an  aggregate  caintul  of  8575,000.  On  the  1st  of 
January,  1800,  the  whole  number  of  banks  was  one  hundred  and 
eight,  with  a  capital  of  §7,700,000 ;  amount  of  notes  issued  and 
in  circulation,  $4,609,4.32,  which  were  secured  by  deposit  of 
specie  and  public  stocks,  valued  at  84,975,120. 

The  buildings  for  the  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  he  said, 
would  not  be  prepared  for  patients  oefore  the  following  spring ; 
that  the  trustees  estimated  the  amount  of  money  required  for 
the  year  1800  at  828,096,  and  for  the  extension  of  the  build- 
ings 820,000 ;  that  work  on  the  State  Reform  School  was  pro- 
gressing, and  that  the  sum  of  815,029.84  would  be  required  that 
season,  according  to  the  estimates  of  the  commissioners ;  that 
the  buildings  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institution  were  nearly 
completed,  and  that  824,500  were  required  for  tRe  support  of 
schools,  and  repairs,  for  paying  indebtedness  on  main  building, 
and  for  sewerage,  drainage,  fencing,  &c.  The  estimates  for  the 
support  of  the  Institute  of  tlie  Blind,  for  current  expenses, 
were  819,200,  and  there  were  twenty-two  pupils  in  the  insti- 
tution. The  nuniljcr  of  convicts  in  State-prison,  Jan.  1,  1860, 
was  one  hundred  and  eighty-two.  lie  recommended  the  erec- 
tion of  the  west  wing  of  the  Capitol,  and  an  appropriation  for 
laying  the  walls  immediately.  His  views  on  the  interest  question 
were  given  at  some  lenntli :  ho  urged  a  change  in  the  law,  re- 
ducing tlie  rate,  and  concluded  his  message  by  expressing  his 
feeling  on  the  question  of  slavery  at  length,  saying  that  peace- 
able and  legal  remedies  alone  could  relieve  us  of  slavery  exten- 
sion and  slavery  agitation. 

On  the  2d  of  April,  the  legislature  adjoiuned.  In  reference 
to  the  session,  "  Th"  Madison  State  Journal "  said,  — 


"  Quite  a  large  miinber  of  bills  remained  in  the  ireneral  file  unacted  upon. 
Of  these,  the  most  important  were  those  providing  for  the  reduction  of  the 
rate  of  interest  taken  by  banks,  and  authorizing  the  State  University  to  issue 
bonds  to  satisfy  the  loans  whieli  it  had  made,  and  wiiioli  are  nearly  matured. 
The  failure  of  the  others  ij<  not  a  subject  of  much  lamentation.  Of  the 
wisdom  or  the  folly  of  the  acts  of  the  session  just  closed,  it  is  as  yet  impossible 
to  speak  with  any  degree  of  certainty.  That  verdict  can  oidy  be  rendered 
when  they  have  been  published  and  tested.  If  it  does  not  turn  out  that  some 
unwise  laws  have  been  enacted,  the  late  legislature  has  been  more  fortunate 


864 


nrSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


than  its  predecessors  :  if  it  is  not  found  that  some  pood  and  wholesome  acts 
■were  passed,  we  shall  be  much  disappointed.  The  new  assossnieiit  law,  we 
class  among  these.  It  is  doubtless  the  most  important  measure  of  the 
session  ;  and  it  is  believed  that  it  will  be  r(!ceivcd  with  very  gonf-ral  satis- 
laction  by  the  people,  and  be  found  in  its  practical  operations  to  distribute 
the  burdens  of  taxation  in  a  mor;^  fair  and  equitable  manner  than  any 
previous  law  upon  this  difRcult  subject." 


The  session  was  a  long  one.  —  much  longer  than  the  amount 
of  business  to  be  transacted  would  seem  to  warrant.  The  diffi- 
culties, however,  originated,  not  through  lack  of  ability,  but  in 
consequence  of  the  unfortunate  disposition  of  the  people  of  the 
State,  to  send  up  to  the  capital  annually,  with  a  few  cx-^ep- 
tions,  an  entirely  new  body  of  men  to  the  assembly.  Thus  it 
happened  that  the  great  mass  of  the  members  of  that  house 
were  wholly  destitute  of  experience ;  and  six  or  eight  weeks 
would  pass  away  before  they  were  sufficiently  familiarized  with 
the  forms  and  routine  of  legislation  to  l)egin  upon  the  real 
business  of  the  session.  Every  session,  the  legislature,  under 
that  system,  had  to  pass  through  a  long  novitiate,  and  become 
versed  in  rules  and  parliamentary  tactics,  by  a  series  of  animated 
contests  on  such  momentous  questions  as  the  chaplaincy,  the 
mode  of  taking  newspapers,  and  the  distvibution  of  postage- 
stamps,  before  they  were  prepared  to  do  any  thing  better.  The 
necessity  of  some  change  by  which  half  of  the  members  of  this 
popular  l)ranch  should  hold  over,  as  the  members  of  the  senate 
did,  was  beginning  to  be  generally  felt. 

The  legislatiu-e  passed  three  hundred  and  eighty-six  laws  of  a 
general  nature,  and  one  hundred  and  three  jirivate  and  local 
laws.  In  addition  to  the  assessment  law  alluded  to,  some  of  the 
other  important  acts  were,  to  amend  the  law  relative  to  the 
enlargement  and  completion  of  the  improvement  of  the  Fox 
and  Wisconsin  Rivers  ;  an  act  to  pro^ade  for  the  government  of 
the  Wisconsin  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  and  repealing  the  law 
of  1859 ;  to  provide  for  levying  a  State  tax  (.9150,000)  for  the 
year  1860;  to  provide  for  letting  tlie  public  printing  by  contract, 
and  to  establish  maximum  jirices  for  the  execution  thereof; 
and  many  others.  Forty-eight  of  the  general  laws  were  amend- 
ments to  the  Revised  Statutes ;  twenty-niuf .  amendments  to 
general  laws ;  and  ten,  to  private  and  local  laws ;  twenty-one, 


BISTOItr  OF   WISCONSIN. 


865 


appropriation  billa ;  twenty-three  in  reference  to  appeals ;  foity 
relative  to  courts ;  tw;nty-one,  to  lands ;  ten  repealing  certain 
laws ;  twenty-three,  tfj  roads ;  nine,  to  railroads ;  thirty-four,  con- 
ferring certain  powers  on  the  secretary  of  state ;  and  forty-five, 
on  taxation,  and  extending  the  time  for  collection  of  taxes.  Of 
the  private  and  local  laws,  forty-six  were  amendments  to  incor- 
porations, thirty-one  authorizuig  banks  to  reduce  their  capital 
stock,  seven  incorporating  and  amendment  charters  to  iusm*- 
ance  companies,  &c. 

On  the  20th  of  May,  1860,  the  trustees  of  the  State  Lunatic 
Asylum  elected  Dr.  John  P.  Clement  as  medical  superintend- 
ent; and  he  appointed  Dr.  John  Favill  as  his  assistant.  The 
first  patient  was  admitted  to  the  hospital  on  the  14th  of  July 
f  i  this  year.  It  had  been  ascertained  that  the  number  of  insane 
persons  in  tht  State,  of  both  sexes,  exceeded  two  hundred  ;  and 
the  trustees  w^ere  obliged  to  apportion  the  few  that  could  be 
accommodated,  among  the  coimties  presenting  the  most  urgent 
cases,  from  one  ^o  three  each,  while  many  counties  were  neces- 
sarily excluded  entirely.  In  "view  of  the  pressing  demand,  the 
medical  superintendent,  with  the  executive  committee  of  the 
board  of  trustees,  consisting  of  Dr.  A.  I.  Bennett,  Simeon 
Mills,  and  Thomas  Ilaad,  set  about  re-arranging  and  economiz- 
ing the  apartments ;  and  so  successful  were  they  in  then'  efforts, 
that,  on  the  seventeenth  day  of  December  of  the  same  year, 
eighty-nine  patients  had  been  received,  and  only  eleven  dis- 
charged. 

At  the  Republican  convention,  held  in  the  month  of  April, 
A.  Scott  Sloan  was  nominated  for  chief-justice  of  the  supreme 
court ;  and  Luther  S.  Dixon  was  brought  forward  as  an  Inde- 
pendent candidate  for  the  same  office.     The  latter  was  elected. 

Henry  Barnard,  LL.D.,  chancellor  of  the  University,  resigned 
his  position  in  June,  1860.  The  board  of  regents,  however, 
did  not  accept  of  the  same  until  January,  1861. 

On  the  10th  of  October,  1860,  Gov.  Randall  appointed  Henry 
D.  Barron,  of  St.  Croix  Falls,  circuit  judge  of  the  north-west 
judicial  district,  in  the  place  of  Judge  Fuller,  resigned. 

Dm-ing  the  year,  there  was  considerable  fueling  manifested 
in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  State,  by  parties  who  had  mort- 
gaged their  farms  for  the  building  of  railroads.     Some  of  the 


866 


msTOiii'  OF  w/scoysm. 


companies  who  received  t]«ese  mortgages  failed  to  build  these 
roads,  but  had  disposed  of,  and  realized  funds  on,  these  evi- 
dences of  debt.  The  matter  went  into  the  courts,  and  was  the 
cause  of  much  litigation.  A  meeting  of  an  association,  known 
as  the  Grand  League  of  Farm  Mortgagers,  was  held  at  Water- 
town,  Wis.,  on  the  12th  of  October,  to  discuss  matters  relative 
to  the  organization.  The  fall  of  1800  was  an  exciting  one  all 
over  the  State,  owing  to  the  presidential  election.  W.  D.  Mcln- 
dne,  Bradford  Rexford,  W.  W.  Vaughan,  J.  Allen  Barl)er,  and 
II.  Lindoman  were  put  in  nomination  as  Republican  electors. 
Samuel  Elmore,  N.  B.  Van  Slyke,  S.  J.  Ullman,  II.  I).  Barron, 
and  II.  S.  Picrrepont  were  electors  on  what  is  known  as  the 
Breckcnridgc  ticket;  and  Edward  G.  Ryan,  Charles  Dunn,  J.  C. 
Fairchild,  Emil  Roth  and  Benjamin  Ferguson,  as  electors  on 
the  Douglas  ticket,  'i  ;  contest  was  a  lively  one  :  public  meet- 
ings were  held  all  over  ihe  country,  and  addresses  made  b}'  the 
ablest  men  of  all  political  parties.  At  the  election  in  Novem- 
ber, the  Republican  electors  received  80,110  votes ;  the  Douglas 
electors,  Gu,021 ;  the  Breckcnridgc  electors,  881 ;  and  101  votes 
for  electors  who  favored  John  Bell  for  the  presidency.  The 
Republican  majority  was  21,089  over  Douglas.  The  electors, 
at  a  subsci|ucnt  meeting  in  the  electoral  college,  cast  their 
votes  for  Abraham  Lincoln  and  Ilanniljal  Hamlin.  At  the  same 
election,  Jolm  F.  I'ottrr,  Luther  llancliett,  and  A.  Scott  Sloan, 
Republican  candidates  for  Congress,  for  the  first,  second,  and 
tliinl  congrcssidiial  districts,  were  clcM'ted,  over  J.  E.  Arnold, 
J.  D.  Reymcrt,  and  Charles  II.  Larrabcc,  Democratic  candidates 
for  the  same  position.  The  Republican  party  came  strongly  into 
power  at  this  election ;  and  all  the  subsei|ucnt  State  elections, 
iHitil  Jan.  1,  1804,  were  in  the  inteif  st  of  this  political  organi- 
zation. In  the  senate  of  1802,  there  were  twent^'-two  Repub- 
licans and  eight  Democrats;  and,  in  the  assembly,  seventy 
Republicans  and  twenty-seven  Dcmocr'ts. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  GOV.  EANDALL. 


Events  of  18fU — Legislation  —  The  Tliuiulers  of  Civil  War  breaking  over  the 
State—  The  President's  Proclamation  —  Gov.  Randall's  Proclamation  —  Prep- 
arations for  War. 

The  fourteenth  session  of  the  State  legislatui'e  convened  on 
the  9th  of  January,  1861,  and  adjourned  April  17,  and,  in  pur- 
suance of  a  proclamation  of  Gov.  Randall  for  an  extra  session, 
convened  again  May  15,  and  finally  adjourned  IMay  27,  18G1, 
after  a  session  of  one  hundred  and  twelve  days.  Lieut.-Gov. 
Noble  was  president  of  the  senate,  I.  11.  Warren  chief  clerk, 
and  J.  A.  Hadley  sergcant-at-arms.  In  the  assembly,  Amasa 
Cobb  was  chosen  speaker,  L.  II.  D.  Crane  chief  clerk,  and 
Craig  B.  Beebe  sergeant-at-arms.  On  the  daj'  followmg,  the 
governor  in  person  delivered  his  message  before  the  two 
houses  in  joint  convention.  The  message  is  a  lengthy  one,  and 
gives  an  excellent  synopsis  of  the  governmental  operations  of 
the  State  for  the  year  1860.  It  contained  also  recommendations 
and  suggestions  for  the  consideration  of  the  legislature  at  that 
session.  Some  of  the  statistics  given  by  liim,  derived  from  the 
reports  of  State  oflScers  and  trustees  of  benevolent  institutions, 
are  here  given.  These  statistics  may  appear  to  many  as  super- 
fluous ;  but  they  are  given,  as  showing  the  growth  and  pros- 
perity of  the  State  from  year  to  year.     He  says,  — 

"  Tho  ngijref^ate  receipts  into  the  general  fund  fluring  the  year  18G0 
were  $-110,280.12;  and  the  aggregate  disbursements  from  tho  same  fund 
were  $350,580.29  ;  leaving  a  balance  in  the  treasury,  Jan.  1,  1801,  of  $50,- 
705.83.  Of  tho  expenditures  from  this  fund,  the  sum  of  $109,809.23  was  for 
the  State  prison,  tlic  various  benevolent  institutions,  payment  of  interest  on 
State  loan,  &c. ;  leaving,  as  properly,  the  cost  of  carrying  on  tho  State  gov- 

3ti8 


HISTORY  OF   WiaCOSSIN. 


369 


erument.  The  estimates  of  the  secretary  of  state  for  the  fiscal  year  ending 
Oct.  1,  1801,  amount  to  9109, 'I'M. 01;  and  tho  expendituri-s  for  all  noccssary 
expenses  of  tlm  State  governmfnt  are  estimated  at  §300,712.50.  He  states, 
that  owinof  to  the  forfeiture  of  very  largo  quantities  of  land  (heretofore 
Bold,  and  estimated  as  a  portion  of  tiiu  productive  school-fund,  bearing 
seven  per  cent  interest),  this  fund  exhibits  a  large  diminution  on  its  nominal 
capital  and  actual  revenue  ;  and  that,  with  tlie  return  of  prosperous  times 
in  the  course  of  the  succeeding  years,  those  land.s  will  acjain  be  sold,  and 
added  to  tho  productive  fund.  This  fund,  on  Oct.  1,  1800,  was  estimated 
at  $2,330,091.  The  University  fund  is  reported  at  $280,725.02,  tho  annual 
interest  of  which  is  820,070.08.  Tho  swamp-land  fund  amounts  to  S813,- 
820.31;  and,  during  tho  past  year,  approved  lists  of  swamp  lands  coming 
to  tho  State  under  the  act  of  1850,  amountin'j  to  about  five  hundred  thou- 
sand acres,  have  been  received  at  the  executive  office;  and  requests  have 
been  transmitted  to  the  general  land-office,  that  patents  therefor  should  bo 
issued  to  the  State." 

The  governor  calls  attention  to  the  necessity  of  commencing 
the  enlargement  of  the  Capitol,  and  says, — 

"  The  public  necessities  daily  require  that  this  work  should  be  com- 
menced immediately.  Millions  of  dollars  in  value  of  public  and  private 
property  are  constantly  risked  and  perilled  for  want  of  this  permanent 
public  improvement. ' ' 

He  reports  tho  equalized  valuation  of  property  in  the  State, 
last  year,  as  follows :  — 


Value  of  real  estate 
Value  of  personal  property 


$150,555,774 
27,500,701 

$181,002,535 


rhe  State  census  was  reported,  in  18G0,  at  777,771 ;  an  in- 
croa- 1  in  population  of  572,380  in  the  previous  ten  years,  and 
ii26,»j62  in  the  previous  five  years.  In  1850  Wisconsin  was 
the  twenty-fourth  State  in  popuhxtion,  and  was,  at  tliis  date, 
the  thirteenth.  In  consequence  of  the  census  being  taken,  a 
new  apportionment  of  congressional  and  legislative  districts 
was  urged  on  tlie  legislature  of  1861.  The  number  of  persons 
in  the  State,  between  the  ages  of  four  and  twenty,  as  returned 
to  the  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  was  288,981. 
Schools  had  been  taught  on  an  average  of  six  and  two- 
tenths  months  in  tlie  j'ear;  the  whole  number  of  school  dis- 
tricts was  4,211 ;  valuation  of  school-houses,  ."SI, 314,716.09 ; 
average  wages  for  male  teachers  §24.20,  and  female  teachers 
815.30 ;  amount  paid  for  teachers'  wages  in  1860,  8367,481.10. 


370 


nrsTonr  of  irrscoNsm. 


The  report  of  the  board  of  normal  schools  informs  lis  that 
the  funds  at  their  disposal,  arising  entirely  from  the  sale  of 
swamp  lauds,  had  been  much  abridged  1)y  the  decrease  in  the 
araonnt  of  lands  sold  from  yciir  to  year ;  while  the  amount 
apprf)priated  directly  to  the  institution  in  which  normal  classes 
liad  been  taught  was  lessened  by  the  payment  of  agencies, 
employed  by  the  board  in  cRrr3'ing  forward  the  cause  of 
education. 

The  total  number  of  banks  in  operation  on  the  1st  of  Jan- 
uary, 18G1,  was  one  hundred  and  ten,  with  capital  amounting 
to  $7,237,000;  and  the  amount  of  circulating  notes  issued  to 
banks,  and  outstanding  at  that  date,  $4,580,832 ;  which  circular 
tion  Avas  secured  by  the  deposit  of  specie  and  public  stocks  to 
the  amount  of  $5,208,805. 

The  number  of  pupils  in  attendance  at  the  Deaf  and  Dumb 
Asylum  during  the  previous  year  was  eighty-seven.  An  ap- 
propriation of  $20,450  was  asked  for,  $13,500  for  support  and 
current  expenses,  and  the  remainder  for  additional  buildings, 
steam-heating  apparatus,  &c.,  for  the  institution. 

The  trustees  of  the  Blind  Institution  reported  thirty-six  pupils 
in  attendance  in  1860,  and  asked  an  appropriation  of  sixteen 
thousand  doUara,  of  which  amount  ten  thousand  dollars  was  to 
be  devoted  to  the  support  of  tlie  institution,  and  the  remainder 
to  complete  existing  contracts. 

In  the  State-prison  there  had  been,  from  .Tan.  1, 1860,  to  Oct. 
1,  1861,  two  hundred  and  fort5'-five  convicts  ;  and  at  the  last- 
named  date  there  were  one  hundred  and  seventy  confined. 

The  whole  number  of  persons  subject  to  military  duty  ex- 
ceeded a  hundred  and  thirty  thousand  ;  and  the  governor  rec- 
ommended that  step.-)  be  taken  to  place  the  volunteer  militia 
upon  a  more  efficient  footing.  He  concluded  with  giving  liis 
views  on  the  slavery  question,  the  state  of  feeling  at  the  South 
on  the  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  as  President,  and  the  right  of 
the  Southern  States  to  secede,  as  was  agitated  at  this  time,  and 
said,  — 

"  The  hopes  of  civilization  and  Christianity  are  suspended  now  upon  the 
answer  to  this  question  of  dissohition.  Tlie  capacity  for,  as  well  as  the 
right  of,  seU'-iifovenimont,  is  to  pass  its  ordeal,  and  speculation  to  become 
certainty.  Other  systems  have  been  tried,  and  have  failed  ;  and  all  along  the 
skeletons  of  nations  hare  been  strewn  as  warnings  and  landmarks  upon  the 


HISTORY  OF    W I  ^r  OS  SIN. 


871 


groat  liij;h\vay  of  historic  govcrjimcnt.  ^Vi^collsiIl  is  true,  au'l  lior  people 
fitcadfast.  She  will  not  destroy  tin.'  Union,  nor  consont  that  it  shall  ho  doiin. 
Devised  by  groat  and  wise  and  good  men  in  days  of  soro  trial,  it  must  stand. 
Like  some  hold  mountain,  at  whoso  hasG  the  groat  seas  break  their  angry 
floods,  around  whoso  summit  the  thunders  of  a  thousand  hurricanes  have 
rattled,  strong,  unmoved,  immovalile,  so  may  our  Union  be,  while  treason 
surges  at  its  base,  and  passions  rage  around  it.  Unmoved,  immovable, 
hero  let  it  stand  forever," 


Agreeably  to  the  constitutional  requirement,  the  legislature 
mot  in  convention  Jan.  23,  18G1,  to  elect  a  United  SiuIlm 
senator  to  fill  the  place  of  Hon.  Charles  Durkee,  whose  terra 
of  office  expired  March  4  ensuing.  Hon.  Timothy  O.  Howe 
received  ninety-two  votes,  and  H.  L.  Palmer  thirty-four  votes. 
The  former  was  declared  elected  for  six  years. 

Prior  to  the  adjournment  of  April  17,  1861,  the  legislature 
passed  three  hundred  and  nine  general  laws,  and  three  hundred 
and  six  private  and  local  laws.  Of  the  former,  the  following  are 
among  the  most  important:  an  act  to  provide  for  continuing  the 
work  on  the  State  Capitol,  by  the  provisions  of  which,  the  State 
officers,  as  building  commissioners,  were  authorized  to  advertise 
for  proposals,  and  let  to  the  best  and  lowest  bidder  the  erection 
and  completion  of  the  west  wing  of  the  State  Capitol,  in  con- 
formity with  the  plan  commenced ;  the  foundation  of  the  wing 
to  the  top  of  the  water  table  to  be  completed  by  Oct.  1,  1861, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  building  to  be  completed  by  the  first 
of  December,  18(32 ;  and,  for  the  payment  of  the  work,  the 
sum  of  twenty  thousand  dollars  was  appropriated  for  the  year 
1861,  fifty  thousand  dollars  for  the  '.ear  lbG2,  and  the  remain- 
ing amount  on  the  contract  on  or  before  Feb.  1  succeeding  ; 
the  whole  work  not  to  exceed  the  sum  of  a  hundred  thousand 
dollai\i.  .\n  act  was  passed  to  apportion  the  State  into  senate 
and  assemlily  districts,  by  which  act  three  additional  senate 
distii  ta  \v  re  created,  the  whole  number  of  members  of  the 
legislul'iirt'  to  be  one  hundred  and  thu?ty-three,  instead  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty-seven,  as  heretofore  ;  also  an  act  to  provide 
for  the  enlargement  of  the  Wisconsin  State  Hospital  for  the 
Insane ;  viz.,  to  provide  for  the  construction  of  a  longitudinal 
and  transverse  wing  in  connection  with  the  west  side  of  the 
main  building,  corresponding  hi  dimensions  and  general  style  of 


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872 


BISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


architecture  mth  the  wing  previously  erected  on  the  east  side 
of  said  building,  and  the  sum  of  forty  thousand  dollars  api)io- 
priuted  lor  the  construction  of  the  same,  —  twenty  thousand  dol- 
lars in  the  j-ear  18G1,  and  the  remainder  or  balance  as  may  be 
required,  in  the  year  1862 ;  an  act  for  the  government  and 
management  of  the  State  Reform  School ;  an  act  to  provide  for 
the  defence  of  the  State,  and  to  aid  in  enforcing  the  laws,  and 
maintaining  the  authority  of  the  Federal  Government,  pro- 
viding, in  case  a  call  should  be  made  b}^  the  President  of  the 
United  States  upon  this  State  to  aid  in  maintaining  the  Union 
and  the  supremacy  of  the  laws,  or  to  suppress  rebellion  or  in- 
6urre(\tion,  or  to  repel  invasion,  the  governor  was  authorized 
to  take  such  measures,  as,  in  his  judgment,  would  provide  the 
speediest  and  most  efficient  manner  for  responding  to  such  call ; 
and  to  this  end  he  was  authorized  to  accept  the  services  of 
volunteers  for  active  service,  to  be  enrolled  in  companies  of  not 
less  than  seventy-five  men,  and  to  commission  officers  for  the 
same.  He  was  also  authorized  to  contract  for  uniforms  for  such 
of  the  volunteers  as  wcie  not  provided  therewith,  and  for  such 
other  equipments  as  were  necessary  for  putting  said  companies 
into  condition  for  active  service ;  and  the  sum  of  a  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as  might  be  necessary, 
was  appropriated  out  of  any  money  in  the  treasury  not 
otherwise  appropriated,  for  carrying  the  law  into  effect.  He 
was  also  authorized  to  prepare  and  sell  State  bonds,  with 
necessary  coupoiu-i,  for  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  each, 
to  the  number  of  one  hundred,  redeemable  five  years  from 
Jan.  1,  18G2,  the  proceeds  arising  therefrom  to  be  used  for  the 
purposes  specified  in  this  act. 

An  act  was  also  passed  to  enable  the  regents  of  the  State 
University  to  complete  and  furnish  the  University  Hall ;  and 
the  commissioners  of  school  and  university  lands  were  au- 
thorized to  issue  thirty-five  bonds  of  the  amount  of  one  thou- 
sand dollars  each,  bearing  interest  at  seven  per  cent  per  annum ; 
and  the  regents  of  said  university  were  authorized  to  dispose 
of  said  bonds,  and  apply  the  proceeds  to  any  indebtedness  which 
had  been,  or  might  be,  incurred  in  the  erection  of  said  Univer- 
sity Hall.  An  act  was  also  passed  to  amend  an  act  to  provide 
for  the  defence  of  the  State,  passed  at  the  early  part  of  this 


Si" 


874 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


session,  whercl)y  the  sum  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  or 
such  amount  thereof  as  might  be  necessary,  was  appropriated, 
not  otherwise  appropriated,  or  out  of  any  money  lying  idle  in 
tlie  treasury  not  belonging  to  the  school  fund,  for  the  purpose 
of  canying  the  provisions  of  this  act  into  effect,  and  to  defray 
the  expense  of  transporting  troops,  &;c.,  and,  in  addition  to 
tliis  amount,  the  sum  of  twenty  five  hundred  dollars  for  the 
governor's  contingent  expenses  as  commander-in-chief;  and 
another  act  to  declare  ihe  rights  and  privileges  of  such  per- 
sons as  may  enroll  themselves  into  the  service  of  the  countrj', 
such  persons  to  be  exempt  from  all  civil  process,  and  all  pro- 
ceedings in  any  action  before  the  civil  courts  to  be  suspended 
while  in  the  government  military  service. 

The  scene  in  the  House  immediuti-ly  after  the  adjournment  was 
one,  which,  for  inipressiveness,  is  seldom  surpassed.  Members 
and  outsiders  united  in  singing  the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner ; " 
every  heart  swelled  with  patriotic  emotions ;  and  the  most  intense 
feeling  pervaded  the  assemblage.  At  the  close,  nine  cheers 
were  given  for  the  Union,  and  three  more  for  the  "  Governor's 
Guard,"  a  military  company  at  Madison,  which  had  just  before 
called  upon  the  governor,  and  tendered  their  services  to  the 
government. 

On  the  17th  of  May,  Gov.  Randall  issued  a  proclamation  in 
which  he  said,  — 

"  For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  this  Federal  Government,  organized 
treason  has  manifested  itself  witliin  several  States  of  the  Union,  and  armed 
rebels  are  making  war  against  it.  The  proclamation  of  the  president  of 
the  United  States  tells  of  unlawful  combinations  too  powerful  to  be  sup- 
pressed in  the  ordinary  manner,  and  calls  for  military  forces  to  suppress 
such  combinations,  and  to  sustain  him  in  executing  the  laws.  A  demand 
made  upon  Wisconsin  by  the  president  for  aid  to  sustain  the  Federal  arms 
must  meet  with  a  prompt  response.  One  regiment  of  the  militia  of  this 
State  will  be  required  for  military  service,  and  further  service  will  be  re- 
quired as  the  exigencies  of  the  country  may  demand.  Oi'iwrtunities  will  be 
immediately  offered  to  all  existing  military  companies,  under  the  direction 
of  the  proper  authoritief  of  the  State,  for  enlistment  to  fill  the  demands  of 
the  government." 

The  governor  invited  the  patriotic  citizens  of  the  State  to 
enrol  themselves  into  companies  of  seventy-eight  men  each, 
and  to  advise  the  Executive  of  their  readuiess  to  be  mustered 
into  the  service  of  the  States  immediately. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 


■WISCONSIN  S  WAR  EECOUD. 


Events  of  IWil  — Movements  in  Behalf  of  Soldiers'  Familieii  —  Lilwral  Sub- 
scvipllons  —  The  first  Kegiiiient  —  Its  Three-Months'  IJeoonl  —  The  Second 
Eeginient—  Camp  RandaU  — The  Third  I?egiinent  — Xlio  Fourth,  Fifth,  Sixth, 
Seventh,  Eighth,  Ninth,  Tenth,  Eleventh,  Twelfth,  and  Thirteenth  Kegiments. 

It  will  be  necessary,  at  this  point,  to  leave,  for  the  present, 
tho  domestic  history  of  the  State,  and  to  refer  to  the  moment- 
ous events  which  were  close  at  hand,  in  which  the  people  in 
every  section  of  the  State  took  a  deep  interest.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  recount  the  causes,  rimning  tlirough  a  long  term  of 
years,  which  led  to  the  insurrection  of  the  people  of  a  portion 
of  the  States  of  the  TInion  against  the  General  Government,  and 
aiTayed  more  than  a  million  of  citizens  in  arms,  —  a  most 
bloody  war  of  four  years'  duration,  involving  the  expenditure 
of  almost  untold  treasure,  and  tho  loss,  on  either  side,  of  hun- 
dreds of  thousands  of  the  country's  bravest  and  best  men.  The 
State  of  South  Carolina,  as  is  well  known,  on  the  12th  of  April, 
passed  an  ordinance  of  secession  from  the  General  Government, 
and  commenced  hostilities  by  firing  from  James  Island  upon 
Fort  Sumter,  garrisoned  by  Major  Robert  Anderson,  and  about 
seventy  men.  The  fort  was  surrendered  on  the  14th  of  April. 
On  the  day  succeeding  (15th),  Pres.  Lincoln  issued  his 
proclamation,  declaring  the  Southern  States  in  insurrection., 
and  issued  a  call  for  seventy-five  thousand  three-months' 
volunteers  to  aid  in  suppressing  the  rebellion.  In  Wisconsir 
as  in  all  the  Northern  States,  the  public  pulse  quickened  undci 
the  excitement ;  and  on  every  hand  the  national  flag  was  dis- 
played. Public  enthusiasm  knew  no  bounds ;  and  in  city,  town, 
and  hamlet,  the  burden  on  every  tongue  was  for  a  vigorous 
prosecution  of  the  war. 

375 


876 


HISTORY  OF   WlSCONSrN. 


On  the  15th  of  April,  an  informal  meeting  was  held  at  Madi- 
son, at  the  executive  oflBce,  to  consider  the  events,  Judge  O. 
Cole  of  the  supreme  court  in  the  chair.  He  made  a  speech 
full  of  patriotism  and  the  noblest  sentiments.  On  the  day 
following,  Gov.  Randall  notified  Capt.  George  E.  Bryant  that 
the  services  of  the  Madison  Guards  had  been  accepted,  and  he 
was  authorized  to  fill  up  his  company  ;  and,  on  the  same  day, 
the  governor  issued  a  proclamation  for  tl  e  organization  of  the 
First  Regiment  of  Wisconsin  voluntecis.  The  enrolment  of 
men  for  this  company  began  on  April  17,  on  which  day  twenty- 
eight  names  were  enrolled,  which  on  the  20th  were  increased  ti 
one  hundred  and  eigliteen.  On  the  17th,  the  Governor's  Guard, 
a  military  organization  at  Madison,  by  their  cajitain.  Judge  J. 
P.  Atwood,  tendered  their  serx'ices,  which  were  accepted  on  the 
18th.  The  company  had  seventy-three  names  enrolled  ;  and  on 
the  evening  of  that  day,  a  large  and  enthusiastic  meeting  was 
held  at  the  assembly  room  in  tlie  State  Capitol,  at  which  Hon. 
H.  S.  Orton  presided.  A  committee  Avas  appointed  to  receive 
from  the  citizens,  and  those  in  the  vicinity,  subscriptions  for  the 
support  of  families  which  should  need  aid.  At  this  meeting, 
$7,490  were  voluntarily  subscribed.  The  two  Madison  com- 
panies, with  the  other  companies  composing  the  First  Regiment, 
rendezvoused  at  Milwaukee  on  t!  o  27th  of  April ;  and,  on  the 
17th  of  May,  the  organization  of  the  regiment  was  completed, 
and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service,  and  the  war 
department  informed  that  it  awaited  marching-orders.  The 
troops  remained  in  camp  until  the  9th  of  June,  when,  in  obedi- 
ence to  orders  from  Washington,  they  left  the  State  for  Harris- 
burg,  Penn.,  fully  equipped  by  the  State,  witli  the  exception  of 
arms.  The  commissioned  officers  were  John  C.  Starkweather, 
colonel ;  Charles  L.  Harris,  lieatenant-eolonel ;  D.  H.  Lain, 
major  ;  A.  R.  Chapin,  adjutant ;  D.  W.  Keyes,  quartermaster ; 
B.  F.  White,  surgeon  ;  L.  J.  Dixon  and  J.  Crugom,  assistants ; 
J.  W.  Plows,  commissary ;  Charles  Fairchild,  assistant.  The 
regiment  was  composed  of  four  companies  from  Milwaukee 
County,  two  from  Dane  County,  one  from  Rock,  one  from 
Kenosha  and  from  Fond  du  Lac  Counties.  The  regiment 
was  quartered  for  a  time  at  HagerstoAvn,  Md.,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Gens.  Nagley   and    Abercrombie    respectively,  was 


a  I  STORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


377 


assigned  to  the  division  of  Major-Gen.  Patterson,  July  2 ;  led 
the  advance  on  Martinsburg,  participated  in  the  battle  of  Fall- 
ing Waters,  and  won  a  reputation  for  bravery  and  veteran-like 
conduct  excelled  by  no  other  regiment.  After  serviiig  out  the 
time  for  which  it  was  enlisted,  the  regiment  returned  to  Fort 
Scott  at  Milwaukee,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service  Aug. 
22,  1861.  A  portion  of  the  Madison  companies,  on  their  arrival 
home,  were  marched  to  the  State  Capitol,  and  a  welcome  address 
delivered  to  them  by  the  governor. 

The  next  day  after  the  mustering-out  of  service  of  the  First 
Regiment,  its  late  colonel,  J.  C.  Starkweather,  was  commissioned 
as  commanding  officer  of  the  "  Three  Years  First  Regiment." 
The  enlistment  went  on  rapidly  ;  and  the  companies  soon  began 
to  rendezvous  at  Camp  Scott.  It  was  fully  organized  and 
equipped  by  the  State,  with  the  exception  of  arras,  and  was 
mustered  into  service  by  companies,  Oct.  8  to  19,  by  Capt. 
Trowbridge.  The  regiment  broke  camp  on  the  28tii  of  Octo- 
ber, and  started  for  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  arrived  on  the 
80th.  The  numerical  strength  of  the  regiment  was  :  field  and 
staff,  9 ;  company  officers,  80 ;  non-commissioned  officers  ap- 
pointed by  the  colonel,  9  ;  non-commissioned  officers,  musicians, 
and  privates,  888 ;  total,  935.  Here  we  will,  for  the  present, 
leave  the  First  Kegiuient. 

The  governor,  having  determined  to  organize  more  rrgiinonts 
as  a  reserve  for  further  calls,  accepted  the  proposition  of  the 
State  Agricultural  Society,  tendering  the  use  of  their  fair- 
grounds as  one  of  their  camps.  These  grounds  were  ali-eady 
enclosed  with  several  buildings,  which  could  be  fitted  up  for  use 
until  more  substantial  ones  could  be  built.  Carpenters  were 
employed  on  April  27,  and  the  grounds  prepared  for  use,  under 
the  direction  of  Major  H.  A.  Tenney.  W.  W.  Tredway  was 
commissioned  quartermaster-general,  and  preceded  to  procure 
clothing,  &c.,  for  the  Second  Regiment,  and  for  the  six  infantry 
regiments  subsequently  raised  under  the  proclamation  of  the 
president.  Simeon  Mills  was  about  the  same  time  commis- 
sioned paymaster-general,  and  paid  the  several  regiments  from 
the  date  of  enlistment  up  to  the  time  of  their  departure  for  the 
field. 

The  Second  Regiment  was  ordered  to  move  into  camp  at 


378 


UISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


Madison  on  the  1st  of  May,  18G1,  which  was  by  S.  Park  Coca 
(who  was  appointed  by  the  governor  colonel  of  the  regiment), 
named  Camp  Randall,  in  honor  of  the  governor.  Tliis  regiment 
was  first  organized  for  three  months'  service ;  but,  on  tiie  7th  of 
May,  orders  were  received  to  recruit  tliu  regiment  fur  tlneo 
years,  or  the  war;  and  the  governor,  wishing  to  gratify  the 
wishes  of  the  companies  wl  i  had  tendered  their  services,  pro- 
ceded,  also,  to  organize  the  Third  and  Fourth  Keginients.  The 
Second  Regiment  was  called  out  to  muster  into  the  United 
States  service,  and  received  orders  to  move  forward  to  Ilarris- 
burg,  Pemi.,  and  started  on  the  20th  of  June,  unived  at  AViish- 
ington  June  25,  and  went  into  camp  near  the  city.  After 
remaining  in  camp  some  time,  Col.  Coon  was  detached,  and 
placed  upon  the  staff  of  Gen.  Shennan ;  and  the  command  of 
the  regunent  devolved  upon  Lieut.-Col.  Peck. 

The  numerical  strength  of  this  regiment  when  it  left  Camp 
Randall  was  as  follows :  field  and  staff,  9 ;  company  officers, 
30 ;  band,  24 ;  non-commissioned  officers,  musicians,  and  pri- 
vates, 985 ;  total,  1,0-48. 

The  fate  of  the  Second  Wisconsin,  from  its  very  inceirtion, 
was  one  of  privation  and  hardship.  It  was  called  into  camp  at 
an  inclement  season  of  the  year,  amid  constant  storms  and  cold 
w-inds,  without  shelter  or  proper  clothing.  It  was  in  the 
"  onward  to  Riclimond  "  movement,  participated  in  the  skirmish 
at  Bull  Rmi  July  19,  took  an  active  part  in  the  memorable  bat- 
tle of  July  21,  and  won  a  fine  reputation  for  bravery  ond  soldier- 
like conduct.  It  took  an  exposed  situation,  faced  the  enemy 
for  hours,  and  ■was  among  the  last  to  leave  the  field  at  the  dis- 
graceful finish.  The  thinned  ranks  at  roll-call  the  next  day 
proved  the  part  it  acted.  As  an  evidence  of  what  this  regi- 
ment had  been  through,  it  is  sufficient  to  state,  that  it  left  the 
State,  June  20,  over  one  thousand  strong,  and.  Out.  1,  reported 
for  duty  only  089  men.  After  this  battle,  a  number  of  changes 
took  place  in  the  officers  of  this  regiment.  Lucius  Fairchild, 
formerly  captain  of  Company  K  of  the  First  Regiment,  waa 
appointed  lieutenant-colonel,  and  many  others  were  promoted. 
Among  the  companies  comj.osing  this  regiment  was  one  from 
Fox  Lake,  Dodge  County,  one  from  La  Crosse  County,  one  from 
Grant,  one  from  Janesville,  one  from  Oshkosh,  one  from  Racme, 


MO 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


one  from  Portage  City,  one  from  Madison,  and  one  each  from 
Mineral  Point  and  Mihvankee. 

The  Third  Regiment  was  called  into  camp  at  Pond  du  Lao 
abont  the  lAth  of  Jnne,  18G1,  and  was  i)laced  under  the  com- 
mand of  Col.  Charles  S.  Hamilton,  a  griiduato  of  West  Point, 
who  liad  served  his  country  with  credit  to  himself  during 
the  Mexican  war.  Of  this  regiment,  Tlioraas  II.  Ruger  was 
lieutenant-colonel;  Bertino  Pinkncy,  major;  L.  II.  D.  Crane, 
adjutant.  It  was  composed  of  companies  from  Watertown, 
Oshkosh,  Monroe,  Waupun,  Mayville,  Boscobel,  Neenah,  Dar- 
lington, Shullsburg,  and  Madison.  Its  numerical  strength  was 
979  men,  and  it  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
June  29, 1801,  by  Capt.  Mclntyre,  United  States  Army ;  received 
inarehing-orders  .Tidy  G,  and  started  for  Ilarrisburg  July  12. 
This  regiment,  like  the  First  and  Second  Regiments,  was  fully 
equipped,  with  the  exception  of  arms.  It  was  stationed,  most 
of  the  time  after  its  arrival  at  the  seat  of  war,  at  Fredericks- 
town,  Md.,  and  had  but  little  opi^rtunity  to  exhibit  its  bravery 
on  the  battle-field  during  the  year.  Three  of  the  companies 
(A,  C,  and  H)  were  engaged  in  the  fight  at  Bolivar,  early  in 
October,  in  connection  with  two  companies  of  the  Massachu- 
Ectts  Fourth,  against  more  than  three  times  their  number  of  the 
enemy  in  position.  During  the  engagement,  a  charge  was  made 
by  ihe  Wisconsin  companies ;  and  a  heavy  field-piece  was  cap- 
tured, which  was  afterwards  retaken  by  the  enemy.  The  battle 
was  terminated  by  another  heroic  charge  by  the  three  Wiscon- 
sin companies,  led  on  by  Capt.  Bartram  and  Lieut.  O'Brien. 
Under  command  of  Major  Gould  of  the  Fourth  Massachusetts, 
the  enemy  was  routed  and  forced  from  his  position,  and  put  to 
flight;  and  again  the  same  field-piece  was  captured  from  the 
enemy,  and  brought  off  the  ground  by  volunteers  of  the  Third. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  Third  Regiment  in  Maryland,  Col.  Ham- 
ilton was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general ;  Lieut.-Col. 
Ruger  was  promoted  colonel ;  Major  Pinkney,  lieutenant- 
colonel  ;  and  Adjutant  L.  II.  D.  Crane,  m.ajor. 

ThQ  Fourth  Regiment  was  called  into  camp  at  Racine,  about 
the  6th  of  Juno,  1861,  and  placed  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Halbert  E.  Paine.  Sidney  E.  Bean  was  lieutenant-colonel; 
Frederick  Boardman,  major;   L.  D.  Aldrich,  adjutant;  D.  J. 


n  I  STORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


881 


McCloy,  quartermaster;  Dr.  A.  II.  Van  Norstrand,  surgeon; 
S.  Comptou  Smith  ami  S.  W.  Wilson,  assistants ;  and  Rev.  A. 
C.  Barry,  chaplain.  The  companies  were  from  Whitewater, 
Ripon,  Sheboygan,  Kilbourn  City,  and  Columbia  County,  Jef- 
ferson County,  Geneva,  Hudson,  Oconto  County,  Monroe 
County,  and  Calumet  County.  The  numerical  strength  of  the 
regiment  was  1,053.  On  its  organization  and  equipment,  it  pro- 
ceeded to  Maryland,  and  was  stationc^d  at  the  Relay  House,  and 
—  with  two  other  regiments  of  infantry,  one  company  of  cavalry, 
all  under  the  command  of  Col.  Paine  —  made  a  brilliant  march 
through  Accomac  and  Northampton  Counties,  on  tlie  eastern 
shore  of  Virginia.  A  largo  force  of  rebels  was  gathering  within 
these  counties ;  but,  on  the  approach  of  Col.  Paine  and  his  force, 
they  fled,  leaving  behind  some  guns  and  camp  equipage.  After 
this  expedition,  the  regiment  was  stationed  at  Drummondtown. 

Tho  Fifth  Regiment  was  called  into  camp  at  Madison,  from 
the  21st  to  the  2oth  of  June,  and  placed  under  tho  command  of 
Col.  Amasa  Cobb.  The  oflScers  under  him  were,  H.  W. 
Emery,  lieutenant-colonel ;  Charles  H.  Larrabce,  major ;  Theo- 
dore S.  West,  adjutant;  J.  G.  Clark,  quartermaster;  A.  L. 
Castleman,  surgeon;  George  D.  Wilbur  and  C.  E.  Crane, 
assistants;  Rev.  R.  Langlej,  chaijlain.  Tho  companies  were 
two  from  Milwaukee,  and  one  each  from  Manitowoc,  Beaver 
Dam,  Janesville,  Waukesha,  Berlin,  Richland,  Taycheeda,  and 
Menomonee.  Its  numerical  strength  was  1,057.  Tlio  regiment 
was  fully  equipped  by  the  State  (with  tho  exception  of  arms), 
except  Company  B,  which  had  ninety-nine  Clinic  muskets  with 
accoutrements  complete  from  the  State.  The  regiment  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  July  13,  by  mustering- 
officer  Capt.  Mclntyre,  United  States  Army;  and  on  the  22d 
received  orders  to  move  forward  to  Washington.  On  the  24th 
they  were  on  tho  way,  and,  on  arriving  at  their  destination,  were 
attached  to  Gen.  Rufus  King's  brigade.  This  regiment  was 
detailed  for  advance  duty  most  of  the  time  after  its  arrival. 

The  Sixth  Regiment  was  called  into  Camp  Randall,  at  Madi- 
son, about  the  25th  of  June,  and  was  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Lysander  Cutler  of  Milwaukee.  The  field  and  staff  officers 
were,  J.  P.  Atwood,  lieutenant-colonel;  B.  F.  Sweet,  major; 
Frank  A.  Haskell,  adjutant;  J.  N.  Mason,  quartermaster;  C. 


882 


nisTonr  of  wibcossik. 


B.  Chapman,  surgeon ;  A.  W.  Preston  and  A.  D.  Andrews, 
assistants ;  and  Rev.  N.  A.  Staples,  chaplain.  The  companies 
forming  the  regiment  were  from  Sauk  County,  Pierce  County, 
Crawford  County,  and  two  from  Milwaukee,  Fond  du  Lac, 
Beloit,  Buffalo  County,  Monroe  and  Juneau  Counties,  The 
numerical  strength  of  this  regiment  when  it  left  Camp  Randall 
was  1,084  officers  and  privates.  It  was  fully  equipped  by  the 
State,  arms  excepted ;  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  ser- 
vice July  16 ;  received  marching-orders  July  22 ;  broke  camp 
on  the  28ih,  and  started  for  Washington ;  arrived  at  Baltimore 
Aug.  8;  encamped  in  Patterscm's  Park.  On  the  29th  (.?. 
August,  it  was  attached  to  Gen.  King's  brigade,  and  moved  for- 
ward. 

This  regiment  was  afterward  in  camp  at  Camp  Kalorma,  also 
at  Camp  Lyon,  near  Chain  Bridge,  and  also  at  vVrlington 
Heights,  Lieut.-Col.  J.  P.  Atwood  resigned  in  the  month  of 
September,  owing  to  ill  health.  Many  changes  took  place  in 
this  regiment  during  the  year  among  the  commissioned  officers, 
by  resignation,  and  otherwise,  —  more  than  all  the  other  regi- 
ments combined. 

The  Seventh  Regiment  was  called  into  camp  during  the 
month  of  August,  1861,  and  placed  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Joseph  Vandor.  Ilis  associate  commissioned  and  staff  officers 
were,  W.  W.  Robinson,  lieutenant-colonel ;  Charles  A.  Ham- 
ilton, major;  Charles  W.  Cook,  adjutant;  H.  P.  Clinton,  quar- 
termaster ;  Henry  Palmer,  surgeon ;  D.  Cooper  Ayres  and 
Ernst  Kramer,  assistants ;  and  Rev.  S.  L.  .  Brown,  chaplain. 
The  companies  were  from  Lodi,  Columbia  County,  Platteville, 
Stoughton,  ALarquette  County,  Lancaster,  Grand  Rapids,  Grant 
County,  Dodge,  Green  Lake,  and  Rock  Counties.  When  the 
regiment  left  the  State,  ita  numerical  strength  was  1016. 

This  regiment,  unlike  those  that  had  gone  before  it,  was  mus- 
tered into  the  United  States  service  by  companies,  by  muster- 
ing-officers  Brevet-Major  Brooks  and  Capt.  !McIntyre,  after 
being  fully  equipped  by  the  State  (arms  excepted)  ;  and  on  the 
4th  of  September  received  orders  to  move  forward  to  Washing- 
ton City,  where  it  arrived  on  Oct.  1,  and  was  assigned  to  Gen. 
Rufus  King's  brigade,  McDowell's  division.  Col.  Vandor  is  a 
native  of  Hmigary,  and  had  seen  service  in  the  old  country,  and 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONatN. 


883 


was  a  thorough  disciplinarian.  The  regiment  was  in  cami)  at 
Arlington  Heights  in  18G1. 

The  Eighth  Regiment  was  called  into  camp  from  the  Ist  to 
the  ICth  of  September,  1801,  and  placed  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Robert  C.  Murphy  of  St.  Croix  Falls.  The  other  field  and 
staff  offlcerfi  were,  Gou;^i'  W.  Robinson,  lieutennnt-colonel ; 
J.  W.  Jefferson,  major;  Lzid  T.  Sprague,  adjutant;  F.  L.  Bil- 
lings, quartermaster;  f. .  I'.  Thornhill,  surgeon;  W.  Hobbins 
and  J.  S.  Murta,  assistants ;  ;nd  W.  McKinlcy,  chaplain.  The 
companies  were  from  the  Counties  of  Waupaca,  Sheboygan, 
Eau  Claire,  Crawffird,  La  Crosse,  Racine,  and  from  Fox  Lake, 
Fitchburg,  Janesville,  Belleville.  The  numerical  strength  of 
the  regiment  when  it  left  Camp  Randall  was  966  men,  and  it 
was  mustered  into  service  by  companies,  by  Major  Brooke. 

After  being  fully  equipped  (with  ttie  exception  of  arms),  on 
tne  80th  of  September,  Col.  Murphy  received  notice  that  he 
had  been  assigned,  with  his  command,  to  ^lajor-Gen.  Fremont's 
division.  On  the  Is*^  of  October,  orders  were  received  to  move 
forward  to  St.  Louis,  at  which  place  they  arrived  Oct.  13. 
The  fine  appearance  of  the  regiment  elicited  universal  praise. 
It  was  received  at  St.  Louis  by  the  secretary  of  war,  Hon. 
S.  Cameron,  and  Adjutant-Gen.  L.  Thomas,  who  paid  it  a  high 
compliment.  This  was  the  first  regiment  that  had  passed  in 
that  direction  from  the  State.  The  next  day  after  their  arrival, 
an  order  came  for  them  to  move  forward  to  Pilot  Knob  with 
the  certainty  of  meeting  the  enemy.  They  went  forward,  and 
on  the  21st  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Frederickstown.  The 
regiment  was  held  as  a  reserve. 

The  Ninth  Regiment  was  organized  under  a  jrcneral  order 
dated  Aug.  26,  1861,  giving  the  supervision  of  the  organization 
to  Lieut.  AV.  Finkler  of  Milwaukee,  who  acted  as  quarter- 
master to  the  regiment.  The  Ninth  was  organized  on  a 
somewhat  different  plan  from  the  other  regiments  of  this  State. 
The  men  were  recruited,  and  sent  into  Camp  Sigel,  and  organ- 
ized into  companies,  to  a  certain  extent.  The  regiment  was 
made  up  of  Germans  exclusively,  and  was  placed  under  the 
command  of  Col.  Frederic  Salomon.  The  different  companies 
were  formed  generally  from  the  eastern  counties  of  the  State ; 
viz.,  Sheboygan,  Manitowoc,  Milwaukee,  Kenosha,  Racine,  Fond 


884 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


du  Lac,  and  a  portion  from  Dane,  Monroe,  and  Sauk  Counties. 
The  regiment  wa3  at  Camp  Sigel,  and  was  fully  equipped  by 
the  State. 

On  the  28th  of  December,  the  regiment  was  full,  and  await- 
ing marching-orders.  The  Tenth  Regiment  was  organized 
under  a  general  order  from  the  adjutant-general's  office,  of 
Sept.  18, 18G1,  and  called  into  Camp  Ilolton  at  Milwaukee,  and 
mustered  into  the  government  service  in  the  month  of  October, 
and  was  placed  under  command  of  Col.  A.  R.  Chapin.  His 
associate  field  and  staff  officers  were,  Joshua  Gnppy,  lieutenant- 
colonel ;  J.  G.  McMynn,  major;  W.  A.  Collins,  adjutant; 
Solon  Marks,  surgeon  ;  R.  Mitchell  and  J.  T.  Reeve,  assistants ; 
and  J.  L.  Coffin,  chaplain.  This  regiment  was  fully  equipped 
by  the  State  (arms  excepted),  and  was  mustered  into  the  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States  by  companies,  by  mustering-officer 
Capt.  Trowbridge,  Oct.  5  to  14.  This  regiment,  Jilthough  not 
composed  of  as  heavy  men  as  some  that  had  gone  before  it, 
was,  nevertheless,  a  splendid  regiment.  It  received  orders  to 
move  forward  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  Nov.  1,  1801,  and  started  on 
its  way  Nov.  0. 

The  companies  of  this  regiment  were  from  Waupun,  Platte- 
ville,  Juneau  County,  Jackson  County,  Grant  County,  Dodge 
County,  Menosha  and  Walworth  Counties. 

The  Eleventh  Regiment,  like  tiie  Tenth,  was  organized 
under  a  general  order,  Sept.  18,  1861.  It  was  intended  at 
the  outset  to  be  a  Dane  County  regiment;  but  it  was  soon 
ascertained  that  Dane  County  had  already  honored  too  many 
drafts  upon  her  citizens  to  be  able  to  fill  up  the  regiment,  and 
it  was  determined  to  fill  up  the  regiment  outside  of  the  county. 
It  was  called  into  Camp  Randall  dining  the  month  of  October, 
and  placed  under  the  command  of  Col.  Charles  L.  Harris,  with 
the  following  field  and  staff  officers :  Charles.  A.  Wood,  lieuten- 
ant-colonel ;  Arthur  Piatt,  major ;  Daniel  Lincoln,  adjutant ; 
Charles  G.  Mayer,  quartermaster;  H.  P.  Strong,  sm-geon; 
E.  Everett  and  C.  C.  Barnes,  assistants  ;  and  Rev.  J.  B.  Britton, 
chaplain.  The  companies  were  from  Dane,  Jefferson,  Richland, 
and  Iowa  Counties,  Fox  River,  and  Neenah.  Its  numerical 
strength  when  it  left  Camp  Randall  was  1,046  men.  It  was 
fully  equipped  (with  the  exception  of  arms)  by  the  State,  and 
was  mustered  into  the  service  by  Capt.  Lament,  United  States 


886 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Army.  The  regiment  was  unavoidably  detained  in  camp  some 
days  after  receiving  orders  to  move  forward.  The  delay  gave 
an  opportunity  to  perfect  the  drill.  Col.  Harris  was  a  gradu- 
ate of  West  Point,  served  with  credit  in  the  three-months' 
campaign  as  lieutenant-colonel  under  Col.  Starkweather  of  the 
First  Regiment.  The  Eleventh  broke  camp  Wov.  20,  started 
for  St.  Louis,  and  went  into  quarters  twenty  miles  below  that 
city. 

The  Twelfth  Regiment  was  called  to  Camp  Randall  in  the 
month  of  October,  and  placed  under  the  charge  of  Col.  George 
E.  Bryant,  formerly  captain  of  Company  E,  First  Regiment 
(three  months),  with  the  following  field  and  staff  officers: 
D.  W.  C.  Poole,  lieutenant-colonel;  W.  E.  Strong,  major; 
A.  Sexton,  quartermaster ;  J.  K.  Proudfit,  adjutant ;  L.  H. 
Gary,  surgeon  ;  E.  A.  Woodward  and  A.  F.  S.  Lindsfelt,  assist- 
ants ;  and  Rev.  L.  B.  Mason,  chaplain.  The  companies  were 
enlisted  in  the  counties  of  Pierce,  Sauk,  Iowa,  Washington, 
Columbia,  Oconto,  Wood,  Brown,  Richland,  and  Grant.  On 
the  12th  of  November,  they  were  still  at  Camp  Randall,  and 
had  been  detained  for  some  time  for  want  of  money  to  pay  them 
off.  The  regimen*^^  was  assigned  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  and  was 
fully  equipped  by  the  State,  with  the  exception  of  arms. 

The  Thirteenth  Regiment  was  organized  under  a  general 
order  dated  Sept.  17,  1861,  giving  the  counties  of  Rock  and 
Green  the  authority  to  organize  a  regiment.  The  regiment  ren- 
dezvoused in  Janesville,  and  was  placed  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Maurice  Maloney,  with  the  following  field  and  staff  oflficers : 
James  F.  Chapman,  lieutenant-colonel ;  Thomas  O'Bigney, 
major ;  W.  Ruger,  adjutant ;  P.  Eydesheimer,  quartermaster ; 
John  Evans,  surgeon  ;  E.  J.  Horton  and  S.  L.  Lord,  assistants ; 
and  Rev.  H.  C.  Tilton,  chaplain.  This  regiment,  like  all  the 
others  that  preceded  it,  was  fully  equipped  by  the  State, 
except  arms.  It  was  the  design  to  make  up  the  regiment  from 
the  two  counties  named  (Rock  and  Green)  ;  but,  as  in  the  case 
of  Dane,  it  was  found  that  these  counties  had  already  honored 
too  many  drafts  upon  their  citizens  to  render  it  an  easy  thing 
to  furnish  one  full  regiment  more :  consequently  some  aid  was 
extended  from  other  counties,  yet  Rock  County  alone  furnished 
five  hundred  for  tliis  regiment.  The  Thirteenth  was  ordered 
to  Kunsa.i. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

WISCONSIN'S   WAE  BECOKI). 


Events  of  18C1,  continued—  KeKlmental  History  — Gov.  Randall's  Froclamatton 
calling  a  Spocial  Seasion  of  the  Legislature  —  Legislation  —  The  War,  &c. 

The  Fourteenth  Regiment  was  organized  and  called  into 
Camp  Wood  at  Fond  du  Lac,  during  the  month  of  November, 
1861,  and  placed  under  the  command  of  Col.  David  E.  Wood. 
The  following  were  the  field  and  staff  officers :  Isaac  E.  Mess- 
more,  lieutenant-colonel ;  John  Hancock,  major ;  B.  E.  Bower, 
adjutant ;  J.  F.  Conklin,  quartermaster  ;  W.  H.  Walker,  sur- 
geon ;  D.  D.  Cameron,  assistant ;  and  Rev.  J.  G.  Rogers, 
chaplam. 

The  companies  were  enlisted  from  the  counties  of  Wood, 
Waupacca,  Portage,  Winnebago,  La  Crosse,  Manitowoc,  Ke- 
waunee, Brown,  Calumet,  Sheboygan,  Jackson,  Dane,  and  Sauk. 
Its  numerical  strength  was  859. 

The  regiment  was  fully  equipped  by  the  State,  without  arms, 
and  was  awaiting  marching-orders. 

The  Fifteenth  or  Scandinavian  Regiment  was,  on  the  15th 
of  December,  in  course  of  organization  at  Camp  Randall. 
Hon.  Hans  Heg  was  commissioned  as  colonel  of  this  regiment. 
As  the  duties  of  his  office  confined  him  to  his  former  office,  aa 
state-prison  commissioner,  until  Jan.  1,  1862,  the  organization 
was  for  some  time  under  the  supervision  of  Lieut.-Col.  K.  K. 
Jones.  The  other  field  and  staff  officers  were,  H.  Borcheenius, 
adjutant ;  Ole  Heg,  quartermaster ;  S.  J.  Himoc,  surgeon  ;  S.  J. 
Hansen  and  G.  T.  Newell,  assistants  ;  and  Rev.  C.  L.  Clausen, 
chaplain.  On  the  15th  of  December,  about  six  hundred  had 
been  mustered  into  service.  The  Sixteenth  Regiment  was 
organized,  and  ordered  into  camp  at  Madison  early  in  Novem- 

887 


888 


mSTORY  OF  WISCONSm. 


ber ;  Benjamin  Allen,  colonel.  The  field  and  staff  officers  were, 
Cassius  Fairchild,  lieutenant-colonel ;  Thomas  Reynolds,  major ; 
George  Sabin,  adjutant ;  J.  E.  Jones,  quartermaster ;  G.  W. 
Eastman,  surgeon ;  I.  H.  Rogers  and  Ira  A.  Torrey,  assistants. 
The  companies  were  filled  up  from  the  counties  of  Waukesha, 
Ozaukee,  Waushara,  Green  Lake,  Adams,  Chippewa,  Dodge, 
Dane,  and  Lafayette.  The  regiment  was  nearly  full  on  the 
26th  of  December,  and  was  afterward  fully  equipped  by  the 
State,  as  were  also  the  other  regiments.  The  numerical  strength 
of  the  Sixteenth  at  the  above  date  Avas  about  nine  hundred. 

The  Seventeenth,  or  Irish  Regiment  so  called,  was  in  the 
month  of  December  in  an  incipient  state.  No  organization  had 
then  been  formed,  except  the  field  and  some  of  the  staff 
officers.  John  L.  Doran  of  i\Iilwaukee  had  been  commissioned 
as  colonel.  The  recruiting  was  rapidly  progressing.  Of  this 
regiment,  A.  G.  Mallory  was  lieutenant-colonel ;  Thomas  SIc- 
Mahon,  major;  William  Plunkett,  adjutant ;  John  Gee,  quar- 
termaster. 

The  Eighteenth  Regiment  was  organized  in  the  latter  part  of 
October,  and  was  called  into  camp  at  Camp  Randall,  and  placed 
under  the  command  of  Col.  James  S.  Alban.  It  occupied  the 
camp  immediately  after  the  Twelfth  Regiment  moved  forward. 
The  staff  and  field  officers  were,  S.  W.  Beall,  lieutenant-Colo- 
nel; W.  H.  Tony,  major;  G.  L.  Hart,  adjutant;  J.  D.  Rogers, 
quartermaster ;  George  F.  Huntington,  surgeon ;  L.  G.  Mead, 
assistant.  This  regiment  was  very  nearly  full  at  the  close  of 
this  year,  and  was  filled  up  mainly  from  the  nortliern  counties. 

The  Nineteenth  Regiment  was  being  organized  at  the  close 
of  this  year  (18G1),  under  the  special  direction  of  '"  "  H.  T. 
Sanders  of  Racine,  who  obtained  his  commission  direct  from 
the  General  Government,  subject  to  the  approval  of  Gov. 
Randall,  Avhich  approval  had  already  been  granted.  The  regi- 
ment was  called  into  camp  of  rendezvous  at  Racine.  Supplies 
were  drawn  direct  from  the  General  Government  for  the 
regiment,  under  the  direction  of  Capt.  Trowbridge,  United 
States  mustering-officcr,  who  had  special  charge  of  subsistence 
and  transportation. 

In  addition  to  the  infantry  regiments  heretofore  noticed, 
there  were  in  camp  Utley,  Racine,  at  the  close  of  this  year. 


BISTORT  OF  WISCOySIN. 


389 


seven  batteries  of  artillery,  each  battery  comprising  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty-five  men. 

A  special  permit  from  the  war  department  was  obtained  by 
Edward  Daniels  to  raise  a  regiment  of  cavalry  ;  and  he  received 
from  Gov.  Randall,  on  the  80th  of  June,  18G1,  a  commission  aa 
heutenant-colonel,  as  an  indorsement  of  his  commission  from 
the  General  Government.  He  immediately  commenced  recruit- 
ing, and  formed  a  camp  of  rendezvous  at  Ripon,  and  soon  drew 
together  over  one  thousand  men.  He  soon  after  broke  camp 
at  Ripon,  and  moved  to  Kenosha,  at  which  place  the  regiment 
Wcas  camped  at  the  close  of  18G1.  The  field  and  staff  oflicers 
were,  Edward  Daniels,  colonel ;  O.  H.  Lagrange,  first  miijor ; 
Henry  Pomeroy,  second  major ;  H.  N.  Gregory,  surgeon ; 
Charles  Lord  and  H.  W.  Cansall,  assistants ;  and  J.  E.  Mann, 
quartermaster.  The  second  cavalry  regiment,  like  the  first,  was 
organized  under  a  special  permit  from  tli3  General  Government, 
granted  to  Hon.  C.  C.  Washburn.  Col.  Washburn  received 
his  commission  from  Gov.  Randall,  indorsing  the  action  of 
the  General  Government,  Oct.  ■•  ^  1861,  and  immediately  com- 
menced recruiting  for  his  regiment,  and  formed  a  camp  of 
rendezvous  on  the  Fair  Grounds  at  Milwaukee.  The  original 
field  and  staff  officers,  as  far  as  known  were,  Thomas  Stevens, 
lieutenant-colonel;  H.  E.  Eastman,  major;  Levi  Sterling,  third 
major ;  W.  H.  Morgan,  adjutant ;  C.  G.  Pease,  surgeon ;  A. 
McBean,  assistant ;  W.  H.  Brisbane,  chaplain. 

On  the  28th  of  December,  the  second  cavalry  numbered 
about  six  hundred  men. 

The  third  cavalry,  like  the  two  former  regiments,  was  organ- 
ized by  special  commission  from  the  General  Government  to 
Ex-Gov.  William  A.  Barstow.  He  was  confined  to  a  very 
limited  space  of  time  to  fill  up  his  regiment ;  but  he  was  able 
to  do  so.  The  regiment  was  called  into  camp  at  Janesville. 
The  original  numerical  strength  of  this  regiment  was  about 
twelve  hundred.  Of  the  field  and  staff  officers,  E.  A.  Calkins 
was  major ;  B.  S.  Henning,  second  major ;  B.  O.  Reynolds,  sur- 
geon ;  W.  H.  Warner,  assistant. 

A  Milwaukee  cavalry  company,  consisting  of  eighty-four 
members,  was  raised  in  that  city  by  Capt.  Gustav  Von  Deutsch. 
consisting  mostly  of  Germans.    The  company  had  all  seen 


S90 


HISTORY  OF  Wf SCONS ry. 


service.  It  was  accepted  by  Gen.  Fremont,  and  left  Wisconsin 
for  St.  Louis  in  October.  A  comimny  of  sharpshooters  was 
enlisted  and  raised,  under  a  call  of  Col.  Berdan,  by  Capt.  W.  P. 
Alexander  of  Beloit.  The  company  left  Madison  the  middle 
of  September  ;  was  mustered  into  the^  United  States  service  at 
Weehawken  Sept.  23,  18G1 ;  and  at  the  close  of  18G1  was  on 
the  Potomac  in  the  discharge  of  its  duties. 

The  number  of  men  in  the  first  thirteen  regiments,  including 
the  First  (re-organized),  the  company  of  sharjjshooters,  and 
Milwaukee  cavalry,  was,  in  the  aggregate,  according  to  the 
report,  14,002;  and  the  estimated  strength  of  the  five  addi- 
tional regiments  of  infantry  being  raised  at  the  close  of  1861 
in  the  State  was  5,230.  This,  with  the  number  of  artillery  then 
in  camp,  and  the  cavalry  rapidly  filling  up,  made  the  number 
23,232,  an  excess  of  the  quota  required  of  Wisconsin  (20,000) 
of  3,232. 

Having  given,  in  as  condensed  a  form  as  possible,  a  history  of 
the  organization  of  the  different  regiments  that  were  fitted  out 
by  the  State  in  1861,  and  sent  forward  to  aid  in  the  sujjpression 
of  the  Rebellion,  it  will  be  necessary  to  return  in  our  narrative, 
and  bring  forward  the  legislative  history. 

On  the  9th  of  May,  Gov.  Randall  issued  a  proclamation  in 
the  following  words :  "  The  extraordinary  condition  of  the 
country,  growing  out  of  the  rebellion  against  the  government 
of  the  United  States,  makes  it  necessary  that  the  legislature 
of  the  State  be  convened  for  making  the  power  of  the  State 
useful  to  the  government,  and  to  other  loyal  States;  and,  in 
pursuance  of  the  authority  vested  in  me  by  the  Constitution 
of  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  I  do  hereby  convene  the  legislature 
of  the  State  for  a  special  session  thereof,  to  bo  held  at  Madison 
on  Wednesday,  May  15,  1861." 

In  accordance  with  tliis  proclamation,  the  legislature  con- 
vened on  that  day.  The  same  officers  that  held  positions  at 
the  regular  session  were  re-elected. 

The  governor  met  the  two  houses  in  joint  convention,  and 
read  his  message.  He  stated,  that,  within  ten  days  after  he 
issued  his  first  proclamation,  a  sufficient  number  of  companies 
containing  the  requisite  number  of  men  responded,  —  sufficient 
to  make  up,  at  least,  five  regiments  instead  of  one.    He  recom- 


392 


HISTORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


mended,  at  least,  six  regiments  be  put  into  camp,  to  learn  the 
duties  of  a  soldier,  and  be  ready  for  subsequent  calls  ;  and  sug- 
gested a  calm,  firm,  deliberate,  unimpassioned,  yet  bold  consid- 
eration and  action  on  measiu-es  designed  to  preserve  the  Union, 
and  the  putting-down  of  the  Rebellion.  "These  gathering 
armies  throughout  the  loyal  States,"  says  he,  "  are  the  instru- 
ments of  God's  vengeance  to  execute  his  just  judgments :  they 
are  his  flails,  wherewith,  on  his  great  Southern  threshing-floor, 
he  will  pound  Rebellion  for  its  sins." 

The  extra  session  adjourned,  sine  die,  on  the  27th  of  May. 
With  the  exception  of  an  act  amendatory  of  the  banking-law, 
the  measures  adopted  all  pertain  to  the  military  exigencies  of 
the  times.  The  following  is  a  synopsis  of  the  work  accom- 
plished :  An  act  to  provide  a  military  force  for  immediate  ser- 
vice to  aid  in  protecting  and  defending  the  Union,  authorizing 
the  governor  immediately  to  call  into  the  service  of  the  State 
three  regiments,  in  addition  to  the  three  already  called  for  by 
the  General  Government.  It  further  authorized  the  governor, 
when  the  three  regiments  should  be  called  into  the  service  of 
the  United  States,  to  call  out  two  more  regiments,  and  hold 
them  in  readiness  for  any  subsequent  demand  that  might  be 
made  on  the  State  by  the  National  Government,  and  so  on,  dur- 
ing the  war ;  holding  two  regiments  in  camp  ready  to  be  mus- 
tered when  needed  into  the  service  of  the  United  States.  An 
act  to  provide  for  borrowing  money  to  repel  invasion,  suppress 
insurrection,  and  defend  the  State  in  time  of  war.  This  act 
appointed  the  governor,  secretary  of  state,  and  state  treasurer, 
a  committee  to  negotiate  a  loan  upon  State  bonds,  bearing  six 
per  cent  interest,  of  one  million  of  dollars,  to  be  used  as  a  war- 
fund  ;  sixty  per  cent  of  this  loan  to  be  negotiated  for  specie ; 
the  balance  might  be  exchanged  for  fully-secured  bank-paper. 
These  were  the  leading  measures  of  the  session.  Two  acts 
were  passed  in  regard  to  the  maintenance  of  families  of 
volunteers,  —  one  appropriating  from  the  war-fund  five  dollara 
per  month  to  each  family ;  and  the  other  authorizing  counties, 
towns,  cities,  and  villages  to  levy  special  taxes  for  the  same 
piurpose.  Another  act  amended  the  laws  of  the  previous 
session,  so  as  to  exempt  volunteers  from  .civil  processes  as  soon 
as  accepted  by  the  State.    An  act  to  provide  for  the  payment 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


893 


of  discharged  volunteers  gave  such  aa  may  have  been  called 
into  service,  and  subsequently  discharged  (in  consequence  of 
the  extension  of  time  for  which  they  were  called, — from  three 
months  to  three  years),  the  regular  army  pay  for  the  time  they 
were  in  service. 

The  sum  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  was  appropriated  for  the 
purchase  of  arms  and  equipments  for  the  State ;  the  purchase 
to  be  made  by  three  commissioners,  appointed  by  the  governor. 
A  sum  not  to  exceed  ten  thousand  dollars  was  appropriated  to 
pay  for  extra  clerk  hire,  messengers,  and  other  extraordinary 
expenditures  in  the  executive  department.  An  act  to  prevent 
the  rendering  of  aid  to  rebels  contained  stringent  provisions  for 
the  prompt  punishment  of  offenders  coming  within  that  cate- 
gory. The  act  amending  the  banking-law  prohibited  the  bank 
comptroller  from  receiving,  after  the  1st  of  December,  1861, 
as  security  for  circulating  baii!c-notes,  any  other  public  stocks 
than  those  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin  and  the  United  States. 

These  were  all  the  measures  passed,  except  appropriations  to 
the  chaplains,  and  to  the  clerk  of  the  special  committee,  which 
reported  a  bill  (that  did  not  pass)  in  regard  to  re-organizing 
the  militia  of  the  State,  and  the  act  providing  that  the  expenses 
of  the  extra  session  should  be  chargeable  against  the  war-fund. 
Three  joint  resolutions  were  passed  and  signed  by  the  governor ; 
viz.,  authorizing  the  governor  to  be  absent  from  the  State 
during  the  present  war,  recommending  the  war  department  to 
form  a  brigade  of  Wisconsin  volunteers,  and  appoint  Gen. 
Rufus  King  to  its  command. 

Some  excitement  was  hud  in  the  month  of  May,  from  the 
fact  that  many  of  the  Wisconsin  banlcs  were  discredited  in 
Chicago,  and  that  there  was  so  much  currency  in  circulatiun 
from  banks  in  remote  places,  whose  responsibility  was  ques- 
tionable, that  meetings  were  held  at  some  places  at  which 
farmers  declined  to  receive  for  their  produce  Wisconsin  cur- 
rency in  good  repute.  Many  of  the  banks  reduced  their  circu- 
lation ;  and  bills  were  destroyed  the  last  week  in  May  to  the 
value  of  $108,469.  T^  j  bank  comptroller,  in  April,  made  a 
call  of  two  per  cent  additional  security,  as  many  of  the  bonds 
held  as  collateral  for  the  circulating  notes  in  circulation  had 
depreciated  in  value. 


894 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSnf. 


In  accordance  with  tlio  act  of  tlie  legislature,  approved  May 
11,  18G1,  appropriating  forty  thousand  dollars  for  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  the  executive  com- 
mittee of  the  board  of  trustees  advertised  for  proposals  for 
erection  of  the  buildings  required  ;  and,  upon  t)pcning  the  same 
at  the  advertised  time  (Juno  6, 1861),  the  contract  was  awarded 
to  Joseph  Perkins,  for  the  sura  of  twenty  thousand  and  five 
hundred  dollai-s,  for  furnishing  the  materials,  and  doing  the 
mason-work ;  and  the  painting  and  glazing,  with  the  material 
therefor,  to  Bradley  and  Norton,  for  nine  thousand  and  fifty 
dollars.  The  heating-apparatus,  gas  pipes  and  fixtures,  regis- 
ters, and  sewerage,  are  not  included  in  either  of  the  above- 
mentioned  contracts.  The  board  of  trustees,  in  their  annual 
report  for  1861,  speak  of  the  commendable  zeal  of  the  contract- 
ors in  the  prosecution  of  their  work,  which  was  commenced  on 
the  first  of  June  of  that  year,  and  which  was  so  far  advanced 
as  to  be  roofed  and  enclosed  before  the  winter  set  in.  The 
Board  also  report  the  whole  number  of  patients  in  the  hospital, 
since  it  was  opened,  in  July,  1860,  to  October,  1861,  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-five. 

At  the  spring  election  of  1861,  Orsamus  Cole  waa  re-elected 
justice  of  the  supreme  court. 

Agreeably  to  an  act  of  the  legislature,  approved  March  9, 
1861,  authorizing  the  construction  of  the  west  wing  of  the  State 
Capitol,  the  State  building-commissioners  advertised  for  pro- 
posals for  doing  the  work.  On  tho  1st  of  May,  the  bids  were 
opened,  of  which  there  were  fourteen,  the  price  varying  from 
§78,300  to  $96,500.  The  lowest  bid  was  that  of  A.  B.  Moxley, 
at  the  first-named  price,  who  was  a  partner  of  J.  W.  Hai-vey ; 
and  the  contract  was  to  be  carried  out  by  them.  "Work  waa 
immediately  commenced. 

The  administration  of  Gov.  Randall  closed  with  the  year 
1861 ;  and,  as  he  was  not  a  candidate  for  re-election,  there  was 
much  interest  felt  as  to  his  successor  and  the  remainder  of  the 
State  officers.  There  was  a  strong  disposition,  in  some  portions 
of  the  State,  to  ignore  party  nominations ;  and,  accordingly,  a 
convention  of  Union  men  was  called  on  the  24th  of  September, 
to  nominate  a  State  ticket.  The  following  ticket  was  put  ia 
nomination:  governor,  Louis  P.  Harvey;  lieutenant-governor, 


BISTORT  OF  wiscoysm. 


808 


Henry  L.  Palmer,  who  subsequently  declined,  James  T.  Lewis 
being  substituted  in  his  place  ;  William  C.  Allen,  secretary  of 
state :  S.  D.  Hastings,  state  treasurer ;  J.  II.  Howe,  attorney- 
general  ;  John  Bracken,  bank  comptroller ;  Hans  C.  Heg,  state- 
prison  commissioner ;  and  J.  L.  Pickard,  superintendent  of  pub- 
lic instruction. 

On  the  2Gth  of  September,  the  Republican  State  Convention 
was  held  at  Madison,  which  made  the  following  nominations : 
governor,  L.  P.  Harvey ;  lieutenant-governor,  Edward  Salomon ; 
secretary  of  state,  James  T.  Lewis ;  state  treasurer,  S.  D. 
Hastings ;  attorney-general,  James  H.  Howe ;  bank  comptroller, 
W.  II.  Ramsay;  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  J.  L. 
Pickard ;  and  state-prison  commissioner,  A.  P.  Hodges. 

The  Democratic  State  Convention  met  at  ]\Iadison,  Oct.  2, 
and  made  the  following  nominations :  governor,  Benjamin 
Ferguson  ;  lieutenant-governor,  II.  M.  Billings ;  secretary  of 
state,  Charles  H.  Benton;  state  treasurer,  H.  L.  Dousman; 
attorney-general,  P.  A.  Orton ;  bank  comptroller,  J.  Vollmar ; 
superintendent  of  public  instruction,  H.  G.  Winslow ;  state- 
prison  commissioner,  J.  J.  Cilley.  At  the  election  in  Novem- 
ber, the  Republican  State  ticket  was  elected,  Gov.  Harvey  by 
nearly  eight  thousand  majority ;  J.  T.  Lewis,  secretary  of  state, 
by  over  ten  thousand ;  and  the  remainder  of  the  ticket  ranging 
from  five  thousand  to  ten  thousand.  Of  the  members  of  the 
legislature  elected  at  the  same  time  in  the  senate,  the  Repub- 
licans were  twenty-two,  and  the  Democrats  eleven ;  and  in  the 
assembly,  forty-three  Republicans,  thirty-four  Democrats,  and 
twenty-three  Union.  Of  the  latter,  seventeen  were  of  Demo- 
cratic antecedents. 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 


•WISCONSIN  S  ■WAR  RECORD. 


Events  of  1802  —  Administrutioii  of  Gov.  Harvey  and  Lieut. -Gov.  Edward  Sale- 
uion  —  Sad  Death  uf  Uuv.  Ilarvoy  —  Consternation  throughout  the  State  at  liiit 
Death  —  Legislation  —  Investigations,  &c. 

The  ceremony  of  the  inauguration  of  the  new  State  officers 
was  held  on  Monday,  Jan.  6,  1862,  at  12,  M.,  and  was  quite 
imposing,  in  consequence  of  the  military  display  wluch  attended 
it.  The  Twelfth,  Fifteenth,  and  Sixteenth  Regimen;?  escorted 
the  officers  elect  (who,  with  the  retiring  governor,  Avere  seated  in 
an  elegant  sleigh)  around  the  park,  when  they  proceeded  to  the 
east  front  of  the  Capitol,  the  regiments  being  drawn  up  before 
it.  A  large  number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  were  present.  The 
oath  of  office  was  administered  by  Cliief-Justice  Dixon.  All 
the  officers  were  present,  except  Mr.  Hodges,  the  state-prison 
commissioner.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  ceremonies,  ex-Gov. 
Randall  came  forward,  and,  in  a  brief  and  appropriate  speech, 
introduced  his  successor,  Hon.  Louis  P.  Harvey,  to  the  troops ; 
and  a  salute  of  cannon  was  fired.  Gov.  Harvey  responded 
briefly.  In  the  evening,  the  State  officers  held  a  public  recep- 
tion at  the  assembly  chamber. 

Gov.  Harvey  took  an  active  interest  in  the  important  events 
then  occurring,  and  particularly  in  the  welfare  of  the  soldiers 
who  had  gone  into  the  government  service  from  tliis  State. 
Soon  after  the  battle  at  Pittsburg  Landing  (on  the  7th  of  April), 
the  certainty  that  some  of  the  Wisconsin  regiments  had  suffered 
severely,  induced  the  governor  to  organize  an  expedition  for  tho 
relief  of  the  wounded  and  suffering  soldiers.  In  less  than 
twenty-four  houi-s,  supplies  were  gathered ;  and  on  the  10th  the 
party  started  on  their  benevolent  object,  the  governor  among 
8oe 


898 


msTOsr  OF  Wisconsin. 


the  number.  On  their  arrival  at  Chicago,  they  found  ninety 
boxes  of  supplies,  &c.,  furnished,  which  were  forwarded  to 
accompany  the  party.  Of  this  large  number,  sixty-one  were 
from  Milwaukee,  tliirteen  from  Madison,  six  from  Beloit,  and 
the  remainder  from  various  parts  of  the  State.  On  their  arrival 
'  at  Mound  City,  they  administered  to  the  wants  of  some  thirty 
soldiers,  and  also  at  Paducali  and  Savannah,  vhere  the  presence 
of  the  governor,  and  the  benefactions  of  Wisconsin  friends,  did 
much  to  alleviate  the  sufferings  of  the  sick  and  wounded.  It 
appears  that  the  party  had  very  nearly  completed  its  labors,  and 
was  intending  to  take  a  boat  for  Cairo  on  their  homeward  trip, 
when  a  disaster  occurred,  which  brought  sorrow  to  many  hearts, 
and  the  loss  to  Wisconsin  of  its  patriotic  governor.  It  appears, 
from  the  published  accounts  in  the  newspapers,  that,  at  first,  it 
was  intended  to  go  on  board  of  "  The  January ;"  but  that  boat 
had  started  a  little  too  early.  The  steamer  "  Dunleith  "  was 
lying  at  the  wharf;  and  the  party  went  on  board  of  her  to  wait 
until  "  The  Minnehaha  "  arrived,  upon  which  they  were  to  come 
as  far  as  Cairo.  It  was  not  expected  that  the  boat  would  call 
for  them  before  morning ;  and  many  of  the  party  had  lain  down 
to  rest.  But,  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  "  The  Minnehaha  " 
hove  in  sight,  and  the  party  were  aroused ;  Gov.  Harvey  and 
others  taking  a  position  near  the  edge  and  forepart  of  the  boat 
"  Dunleith."  As  "  The  Minnehaha  "  rounded  up,  her  bow  com- 
ing near  the  "  Dimleith,"  the  governor  took  a  step  backward, 
apparently  to  get  out  of  the  way ;  but,  the  night  being  very 
dark  and  rainy,  he  made  a  misstep,  and  fell  overboard  between 
the  two  steamers.  Dr.  Wilson  of  Sharon,  being  present,  imme- 
diately reached  down  liis  cane.  The  governor  grasped  hold  of  it 
with  such  force  as  to  instantly  pull  it  from  the  doctor's  hands. 
Dr.  Clark  of  Racine  immediately  jumped  into  the  water,  and 
made  every  effort  to  save  the  governor,  but  Avithout  success. 
He  made  liimself  fast  to  the  rigging  about  the  wheel  of  "  The 
Minnehaha,"  and  threw  liis  body  out  in  the  direction  of  the 
governor  as  far  as  possible.  At  one  time,  he  thinks,  the  govern- 
or came  within  a  few  inches  of  getting  hold  of  him,  but  was 
finally  washed  down  the  current,  —  it  being  veiy  strong,  —  and 
is  sup^wsed  to  have  passed  under  a  fiat-boat  that  lay  just  below. 
Every  assistance  was  given,  all    persons    (acquaintances    or 


msTORT  OF  wiscoysm. 


399 


strangers)  doing  all  in  their  power  to  aid,  first,  in  saving  the 
life,  and  afterwards  to  procure  the  corpse  ;  but  all  efforts  were 
unavailing.  A  reward  of  one  thousand  dollars  was  offered  by 
Gen.  Brodhead  for  the  recovery  of  the  body ;  and  the  offer  was 
ratified  by  the  State  authorities.  The  body  was  recovered  about 
the  3d  of  INIay,  about  sixty  miles  below  Pittsburg  Landing,  and 
was  identified  by  his  watch,  pencil,  and  papers  found  on  his 
person.  Every  thing  was  secured,  including  his  money.  The 
remains  were  sent  on  by  express,  and  special  train  from  Chicago, 
and  arrived  on  tlie  7th,  and  conveyed  to  the  State  Capitol,  and 
placed  in  the  assembly  chamber,  under  a  military  guard  of 
honor.  The  funeral  services  took  place  the  day  following,  with 
imposing  and  impressive  ceremonies.  The  body  was  buried  in 
Forest  Hill  Cemetery. 

No  event  of  public  importance  ever  occuiTed  in  the  State  that 
created  such  a  profound  impression  as  the  death  of  Gov.  Har- 
vey under  such  distressing  circumstances.  Public  meetings 
were  held  in  different  cities  and  towns,  and  resolutions  adopted 
expressing  tlie  great  loss  the  State  had  sustained  by  liis  death, 
and  passing  resolutions  of  sympathy  for  his  bereaved  family. 
"  He  was,"  says  one  writer,  "  a  man  of  incorruptible  integrity, 
an  earnest  patriot ;  and  Wisconsin  was  fortunate  in  having  such 
a  man  at  the  head  of  her  affairs.  He  was  earnest  and  zealous  in 
calling  her  sons  to  the  field,  and  in  securing  fidelity  and  thor- 
ouglniess  in  every  detail  of  their  equipment ;  and,  a\  hen  there 
came  from  the  battle-field  a  call  for  Immanity  in  behalf  of  her 
wounded  soldiers.  Gov.  Harvey  was  the  first  to  answer  to  the 
appeal,  and  it  was  the  closing  act  of  his  useful  and  honored  life. 
In  the  prime  of  life,  upon  the  very  threshold  of  the  honors  to 
which  he  had  nobly  aspired,  the  bubbling  waters  closed  over 
liini,  and  ho  is  lost  to  human  vision  forever." 

The  following  is  believed  to  be  an  extract  from  the  last  letter 
he  wrote,  addressed  to  his  private  secretary,  W.  II.  Watson, 
Esq.,  "  Thank  God  for  the  impulse  wliich  brought  me  here  I  I 
am  doing  a  good  work,  and  shall  stay  as  long  as  I  am  so  profita- 
bly employed." 

On  the  22d  of  April,  Hon.  Edward  Salomon,  lieutenant- 
governor,  issued  a  proclamation  announcing  the  death  of  Gov. 
Harvey,  and  tliat  he  had  by  constitutional  requirement  as- 


400 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


sumed  the  duties  of  the  office  which  had  devolved  on  him  by 
this  event,  and,  in  behalf  of  the  State,  tendered  to  the  bereaved 
■widaw  the  deep  and  sorrowful  sympathy  and  condolence  of  the 
people.  He  also  recommended,  that  for  thirty  days  all  public 
offices,  court-houses,  and  other '  public  buildings,  be  clad  in 
mourning,  and  that  during  that  time  the  people  of  the  State 
wear  the  usual  badges  of  mourning.  He  further  appointed 
the  first  day  of  May,  A.D.  18G2,  as  a  day  of  public  rest  and 
cessation  of  business,  and  recommended  to  the  people  of  the 
State,  tliat  on  that  day,  between  the  hours  of  ten  and  twelve 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  they  assemble  in  their  respective  towns, 
cities,  Jind  villages,  then  and  there  to  commemorate  the  death 
of  the  late  governor,  Hon.  Louis  P.  Harvey  by  such  public 
demonstrations  as  may  be  appropriate  to  the  occasion. 

The  fifteenth  session  of  the  State  legislature  convened  Jan. 
8,  18G2,  and  adjourned  April  7,  18G2,  to  meet  again  June  3 : 
after  a  short  session,  it  again  adjourned,  June  17.  The 
governor  (Edward  Salomon),  on  the  28th  of  August,  issued  a 
proclamation,  stating  that  business  of  great  public  importance 
rendered  a  special  session  necessary,  and  calling  a  special  ses- 
sion of  the  legislature  to  meet  on  the  tenth  day  of  September. 
The  legislature,  in  accordance  with  the  prockunation,  met  at  the 
specified  timCf  and  adjourned  Sept.  26,  1862. 

The  following  persons  comprised  the  officers  at  the  session  of 
Jan.  8:  Hon.  Edward  Salomon,  lieutenant-governor,  president. 
of  the  senate,  J.  H.  Warren  chief  clerk ;  and  B.  N.  Caswell 
sergeant-at-arms ;  and,  in  the  assembly,  J.  AV.  Beardsley  spesik- 
cr,  John  S.  Dean  chief  clerk ;  and  A.  A.  Huntington  sergeant- 
at-arms.  On  the  10th  of  January,  Gov.  Harvey  read  his  mes- 
sage to  the  legislature  in  joint  convention.  In  opening  he 
said,  — 

"  No  previous  legislature  has  convened  under  equal  incentives  to  a  dis- 
interested zeal  in  the  public  service.  Tlio  occasiop.  pleads  with  you  iu 
rebuke  of  all  the  meaner  passions,  admonishing  to  tlic  exercise  of  a  con- 
scientious patriotism,  becoming  the  rcpresentat'vos  of  a  Christian  people, 
called  in  God's  providence  to  pass  through  the  furnace  of  a  great  trial  of 
Uieir  virtue,  and  of  the  strength  of  the  government." 

He  reported  the  receipts  into  the  general  fund  for  the  year 
1861,  $485,536.97,  and  the  disbursements  from  the  same,  $418,< 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


401 


960.44 ;  leaving  a  balance  in  the  State  treasury  on  the  31st  of 
December,  1861,  of  $16,568.53.  Of  the  war-fund  there  had  been 
received  from  the  sales  of  bonds,  and  payments  from  the  United 
States,  and  other  sources,  for  the  expenses  of  the  first  six  regi- 
ments, $957,368.79,  which  wa^  duly  applied.  He  also  recom- 
mended the  suggestions  of  the  officers  of  the  benevolent  and 
humanitarian  institutions  of  the  State,  and  stated  that  the 
appropriations  asked  for  in  their  reports  had  his  cordial  indorse- 
ment. He  also  referred  to  the  progress  of  enlistment  in  the 
fourteen  regiments  that  had  been  made  in  the  State,  and  gave 
at  length  statistics  of  the  quartermaster  and  commissary- 
general's  departments.  He  also  devoted  much  attention  to  the 
subject  of  taxation,  and  suggested  some  important  changes  in 
the  -law  on  that  subject.  On  the  7tli  of  April,  the  legislature 
.adjourned  until  the  3d  of  June  following.  A  committee  on  the 
assessment  and  taxation  laws  had  been  authorized  to  sit  during 
the  recess.  A  committee  was  also  appointed  to  investigate 
the  war-fimd,  to  report  also  at  the  adjourned  meeting. 

Among  the  bills  passed  at  the  session  was  one  to  suspend 
the  sale  of  certain  lands  mortgaged  to  the  State,  or  held  by 
volunteers ;  also  to  establish  a  system  of  graded  teachers' 
certificates ;  to  authorize  a  collection  of  agricultural,  minei-al, 
and  manufacturing  statistics ;  to  provide  for  the  adjustment  of 
the  government  tax  for  1862;  to  authorize  the  borrowing  of 
money  on  the  faith  and  credit  of  the  State,  to  defray  extraordi- 
nary expenditure,  by  which  a  loan  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  was 
authorized  for  expenses  of  enlargement  of  the  Capitol,  and 
work  on  the  Hospital  for  the  Insane ;  to  authorize  the  issuing 
of  State  bonds,  for  war  and  other  purposes,  to  the  amount  of 
two  hundred  thousand  dollars;  to  relieve  the  holdei-a  of  rail- 
road mortgages  made  in  aid  of  railroad  companies ;  and  an  act 
to  ascertain  and  settle  the  liabilities  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin 
to  the  ^lilwaukee  and  Rock  River  Canal  Company,  and  to 
appoint  a  board  of  commissioners  to  adjudicate  the  same. 

On  the  third  day  of  June,  the  legislature  met  pursuant  to 
adjournment.  The  acting  governor  sent  a  communication  to  the 
two  houses,  informing  them  of  the  death  of  the  late  Gov.  Har- 
vey, and  the  circumstances  attending  the  finding  of  his  body. 
He  also  referred  to  a  number  of  bills  passed  prior  to  the  adjourn- 


402 


BISTORT  OF  wiscoysm. 


ment,  and  presented  to  Gov.  Harvey  for  approval,  which  had 
not  been  signed  by  him,  and  stated,  that,  after  due  reflection, 
he  had  come  to  the  conclusion,  that  the  bills  had  failed  to  be- 
come livws,  and  that  he  had  no  power  to  act  iipon  them.  He 
stated  tliat  it  had  been  a  source  of  embarrassment  that  no  provis- 
ions had  been  made  for  contingencies,  which  had  arisen  since 
the  adjournment,  concerning  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers 
from  the  State,  and  recommended  that  provision  be  made  for 
such  emergencies.  He  recommended  that  the  number  of 
judges  of  the  supreme  court  be  increased  to  five. 

Among  the  acts  passed,  w.as  one  to  provide  for  levying  a  State 
tax  for  the  year  1862  (a  liundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars)  ;  to 
authorize  the  state  treasurer  to  pay  for  transporting  troops ;  to 
discontinue  the  active  services  of  certain  military  ofiicers,  and 
to  provide  for  the  execution  of  certain  duties  by  the  secre- 
tary of  state  and  state  treasurer  for  the  relief  of  Mm.  Cordelia 
Harvey,  widow  of  the  late  governor,  Louis  P.  Harvey,  to  the 
amount  of  twenty-five  hundred  dollars ;  to  authorize  the  acting 
governor  to  care  for  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  of  Wiscon- 
sm  volunteers,  and  to  appropriate  money  for  that  purpose ;  to 
authorize  the  quartermaster-genertil  to  order  bills  for  subsisting 
and  transporting  volunteers. 

The  joint  select  committee,  appointed  under  a  joint  resolution 
of  the  assembly,  —  to  whom  was  referred  that  portion  of  the 
governor's  message  relating  to  and  connected  with  the  military 
operations  of  the  State,  the  raising  of  troops,  uniforming,  sub- 
sisting, and  transporting  the  same,  the  negotiation  of  the  war- 
bonds,  and  the  disbursement  of  the  ten  thousand  dollars  appro- 
priated to  extraordinary  expenditures  in  the  executive  depart- 
ment,—  made  a  lengthy  report  on  those  subjects,  in  which  they 
commented  severely  on  the  manner  in  which  the  work  had 
been  performed ;  among  other  things,  that  Ex-Gov.  Randall 
appeared  to  have  selected  persons  to  occupy  the  several  home 
offices,  to  act  for  the  State  in  tlie  formation  of  the  regiments 
raised  within  its  borders,  without  the  slightest  reference  or 
regard  to  their  qualifications  therefor,  either  physical,  mental, 
or  moral. 

The  comr.iittee  also  stated  that  the  negotiation  of  the  war- 
bonds  of  the  State  was  not  conducted  agreeably  to  law,  and 


404 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


that  the  same  were  sold  to  Wisconsin  bankers  at  a  depreciation, 
without  any  effort  to  negotiate  them  in  Eastern  cities ;  and  that 
the  treasurer  and  other  officers  preferred  the  bonds  should  be 
negotiated  in  their  State  for  banking-purposes ;  and,  in  conse- 
quence of  this  action,  the  State  was  defrauded  out  of  a  large 
amount.  The  manner  in  which  army  supplies  were  procured 
was  severely  censured,  also  the  the  employment  of  State  agents 
whose  services  were  not  needed.  The  committee  also  held  that 
much  money  had  been  squandered  for  this  purpose,  also  that 
the  business  in  the  commissary  department  was  injudiciously 
transacted.  Attached  to  the  report  is  the  testimony  taken  in 
connection  therewith.  This  report  was  signed  by  F.  O.  Thorpe 
and  T.  R.  Hadd,  committee  of  the  senate ;  and  J.  V.  V.  Platto, 
F.  S.  Ellis,  H.  T.  Moore,  and  H.  C.  Hamilton,  committee  on  part 
of  the  assembly. 

A  minority  report  of  the  joint  select  committee  on  the  same 
subjects  was  also  made,  in  which  they  said  that  the  report  of 
the  majority  of  the  committee,  as  far  as  the  negotiation  of  the 
war-bonds  is  concerned,  was  a  gross  misrepresentation  of  the 
facts,  a  perversion  of  the  testimony,  and  misquoting  of  the  laws, 
by  which  the  most  astounding  conclusions  have  been  reached. 
The  minority  gave  their  views  on  what  they  considered  the 
true  construction  of  the  law,  and  sustained  the  course  taken  by 
the  State  officers  therewith.  The  charges  of  waste  and  extrava- 
gance in  the  management  and  disbursing  of  funds  in  the  offices 
of  the  quartermaster  and  commissary-general's  departments  were 
grossly  exaggerated;  and  they  concluded  by  saying  the  ma- 
jority of  the  committee,  in  their  report,  had  discovered  no  facts 
or  evidence  reflecting  in  the  slightest  degree  upon  the  integ- 
rity or  capacity  of  the  loan  commissioners ;  but,  on  the  contrary, 
the  minority  of  the  committee  believed  that  in  the  sale  of  such 
bonds,  as  large,  if  not  a  greater  sum  was  realized  than  could 
have  been  obtained  in  any  Eastern  market ;  and  that,  in  refer- 
ence to  Gov.  Randall,  six  months  of  labor  had  failed  to  impli- 
cate him  in  a  single  dishonorable  transaction  in  the  discharge 
of  the  duties  of  his  office.  That  he  had  committed  errors  was 
true:  what  man  could  avoid  it,  they  asked?  But  in  all  the 
charges  of  waste  and  extravagance  preferred  against  him,  said 
they,  with  but  trifling  exceptions,  the  volunteers  of  our  State 
were  benefited. 


IIISTOIiT  OF   W/SCOyS/!f. 


405 


In  reference  to  this  legislature,  the  uews^^apers  of  the  day- 
had  mucli  to  say,  and  that  not  in  the  most  complimcntarj'  man- 
ner. It  was  said  that  a  brief  and  economical  session  was  de- 
manded and  expected,  and  that  at  no  previous  session  had  the 
people  sent  up  so  few  petitions  for  legislati  ve  action ;  and  yet 
the  session  was  prolonged  till  April.  In  the  assembly  there 
was  no  controlling  element;  no  party  or  organization  was 
responsible  for  what  was  done.  Neither  Republicans  nor  Demo- 
crats had  a  majority ;  but  the  balance  of  power  Avas  held  by  the 
so-called  Union  members,  —  men,  as  a  class,  Avithout  positive 
views,  desiring  to  be  on  good  terms  with  the  two  parties,  aud 
hesitating  whether  to  remain  on  one  side  or  the  other. 


CHAPTER  XL. 


ADMnnSTBATION  OP  GOVEBNOB  SALOMOIT. 


Events  of  1802—  Lejidslatlon  —  The  Draft  —  Opposition  to  the  Same  —  High  Pitch 
of  t)ie  War  Excitement  —  Indian  Troubles  in  Minnesota  and  on  ourWestem 
Border. 

Ikasmuch  as  Gov.  Harvey,  in  his  message  in  January,  1862, 
gave  no  statistics  of  the  institutions  of  the  State,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  give  a  few  statistics  in  this  regard,  taken  from  the 
reports  of  that  year. 

The  bank  comptroller  states  that  the  whole  number  of  banks 
on  the  first  day  of  October,  1861,  according  to  last  annual  re- 
port, was  one  hundred  and  seven,  of  which  sixty-eight  were  doing 
business  on  an  aggregate  capital  of  $4,247,000,  and  thirty-nine, 
whose  circulation  was  discredited,  with  an  aggregate  capital  of 
$2,260,000 ;  total  $6,507,000.  The  whole  of  banks  domg  busi- 
ness Oct.  1, 1862,  was  sixty-five,  with  a  capital  of  $3,298,000, 
showing  a  decrease  in  capital,  in  twelve  months,  of  $3,209,000. 
The  whole  amount  of  circulating  notes  delivered  to  banks,  and 
outstanding  Oct.  1,  1862,  was  $2,240,384 ;  which  were  seciired 
by  deposits  of  stocks  at  par  value,  and  specie  in  the  svun  of 
$2,449,301.53. 

The  nmnber  of  students  in  the  State  University  during  the 
year  1862  was  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine.  Twenty-six  had 
been  taken  out  of  thd  classes  to  enter  the  army.  The  regents 
of  the  university  established  a  normal  department  this  year; 
and  Prof.  C.  H.  AUei.  was  appointed  principal.  It  was  opened 
March  16 ;  and  the  entire  south  wing  was  set  apart  for  the  pur- 
poses of  this  school. 

The  whole  number  of  pupils  in  attendance  at  the  Institution 
for  the  Blind  for  1862  was  fifty.    Some  changes  were  made  in 

400 


BiBTORr  OF  wiacosaiN. 


407 


the  instructive  force,  and  the  institution  had  a  year  of  prosper* 
ity. 

The  total  number  of  convicts  in  the  State-prison  Oct.  1, 1862, 
was  one  hundred  and  seventy-three ;  and  the  total  number  from 
the  organization  to  that  date  was  seven  hundred  and  sixty-four. 
The  appropriation  to  the  institution  for  1862  was  twenty  thou- 
sand dollars.  The  whole  number  of  inmates  in  the  State  Reform 
School  was  eighty. 

The  trustees  of  the  Hospital  for  the  Insane  reported  that  the 
work  on  the  west  wing  had  been  carried  forward  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  the  Board ;  and  the  whole  building  was  completed, 
and  ready  for  occupancy,  on  the  first  day  of  June,  1862.  The 
internal  management  of  the  institution  from  and  after  its  open- 
ing in  June,  1860,  was  under  the  control  of  Dr.  J.  P.  Clement 
as  superintendent,  with  an  assistant  physician,  matron,  and  a 
competent  board  of  assistants.  Up  to  Oct.  1, 1861,  there  had 
been  admitted  one  hundred  and  forty-five  patients;  and  from 
that  date  to  Oct.  1, 1862,  the  number  of  patients  admitted  was 
eighty-nine ;  the  whole  number  from  the  opening  to  that  date 
was  two  hundred  and  thirty-four. 

The  trustees  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institution  reported  that 
there  had  been  in  attendance  during  the  year  1862  eighty-two 
pupils,  of  whom  six  graduated  at  the  close  of  the  term,  having 
attended  the  prescribed  number  of  years. 

From  the  report  of  the  superintendent  of  public  instruction, 
we  have  the  following  statistics :  the  whole  number  of  children 
between  the  ages  of  four  and  twenty,  308,056 ;  average  wages 
paid  male  teachers,  $25.45 ;  female  teachers,  $16.61 ;  State  fund 
apportioned  during  the  year,  $149,891 ;  whole  number  of 
schoolhouses,  3,909,  of  which  2,324  are  framed,  1,227  log-houses, 
and  358  stone  and  brick ;  the  total  valuation  of  all  $1,255,852 ; 
the  highest  valuation  twelve  thousand  dollars,  and  the  lowest 
reported  at  one  cent. 

A  synopsis  of  the  report  of  the  adjutant-general  will  be 
found  in  the  history  of  the  war  for  the  year  1862. 

The  extra  session  of  the  legislature  commenced  on  the  10th 
of  September,  the  day  appointed  by  Gov.  Salomon  in  the  call 
for  the  same.  The  same  oflBcers  were  elected  as  at  the  former 
sessions.    Gov.  Salomon  sent  to  the  two  houses  his  message. 


m 


niSTORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


He  referred  to  the  fact,  that,  since  the  adjournment  of  the  pre- 
vious session,  six  hundred  thousand  men  liiid  been  called  for  by 
the  government  for  putting  down  the  llubellion,  and  tliat  it  had 
become  necessary  to  rely  upon  a  system  of  drafting  to  furnish 
the  (juota  called  for  from  this  State,  lie  referred  to  the  attack 
of  the  savages  upon  the  whites  in  Minnesota,  and  to  the  conse- 
quent '.inissaoro  of  a  number  of  the  inliabitants,  and  said  that 
he  wa.j  called  upon  by  the  people  in  the  frontier  settlements  for 
arms,  anuuunition,  and  men  ;  that  he  had  promptly  ansAvered 
these  calls  by  sending  all  of  the  State  arms  and  ammunition  at 
his  disposal  into  the  regions  threatened  with  danger,  lie  rec- 
ommended an  effective  organization  of  the  State  militia,  and  a 
supply  of  arms  and  ammunition  for  emergencies.  He  recom- 
mended the  enactment  of  a  law  to  give  soldiers  then  in  the 
army  from  this  State  the  right  to  vote  at  the  next  general  elec- 
tion, lie  referred,  also,  to  the  condition  of  the  Volunteer  Aid 
Fund,  and  recommended  a  special  tax  to  meet  deficiencies  for 
that  purpose. 

The  extra  session  adjourned  on  the  2Gth  of  September,  hav- 
ing been  in  session  sixteen  days,  and  enacted  seventeen  laws. 
Of  the  bills  passed  was  one  for  levying  and  collecting  for  the 
year  18G2  a  special  tax  of  $275,000  to  apply  for  the  aid  of 
volunteers ;  one  to  enable  the  militia  and  volunteers  of  this 
State,  when  in  the  military  service  of  the  United  States,  or  in 
this  State,  to  exercise  the  right  of  suffrage  ;  one  to  empower 
towns,  cities,  and  counties  to  raise  money  for  the  payment  of 
bounties  to  volunteers  ;  and  one  to  empower  certain  towns  to 
levy  a  tax  for  a  similar  purpose. 

From  the  tone  of  the  newspapers  at  that  time,  it  would  seem 
that  the  extra  session  did  not  fulfil  the  wishes  of  the  people  in 
their  ena<  tments.  The  law  that  Avas  passed  for  a  tax  of  S275,- 
000  could  not  be  made  available  until  February,  18G3  ;  and  there 
was  a  present  necessity  for  the  regular  and  prompt  payment  of 
the  five  dollars  per  month  pledged  by  the  State  to  the  families 
of  volunteers. 

No  measure  was  adopted  furnishing  this  relief ;  and  it  was 
claimed  that  a  bill  could  have  been  enacted,  but  for  the  op- 
position of  certain  members,  who,  by  political  mancemTing, 
managed  to  prevent  it. 


410 


niaroRT  of  wiacosais. 


In  the  fJoll  of  the  year,  it  was  found  necessary  to  resort  to  a 
draft  to  raise  tlie  number  of  troops  required  under  the 
recent  calls  of  the  government ;  and,  in  the  month  of  November, 
serious  disturbances  took  place  in  one  of  the  counties  of  the 
State  at  the  time  of  the  execution  of  the  draft.  The  proceed- 
ings of  the  draft  were  interrupted  by  a  large  an'.  nu»"erou8  body 
of  armed  men,  who  destroyed  the  militia-roL  '<  and  ballot-boxes, 
drove  away  and  maltreated  the  drafting-commissioner,  demol- 
ished his  house,  injured  many  other  peaceable  and  law-abiding 
citizens,  and  destroyed  the  property  of  many  persons  who  were 
obnoxious  to  them.  On  being  apprised  of  these  disgraceful 
proceedings,  the  governor  took  prompt  measures  to  restore  peace, 
and  enforce  the  draft.  A  large  niunber  of  persons,  most  of 
them  taken  with  arms  in  their  hands,  were  arrested,  and  turned 
over  to  the  United  States  military  authorities,  that  they  might  be 
dealt  with  as  ordered  by  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
who  had  commanded  that  all  persons  resisting  military  drafts 
should  be  tried  by  court-martial  or  military  commission. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 


WISCONSIN  S   WAK  KECOBD. 


Events  of  1802,  continued  —  IteKimental  History  —  Inciilents  and  Accidents  of 

the  Wot. 

It  will  be  necessary  now  to  renew  the  history  of  the  regi- 
ments tliat  were  called  into  camp,  and  from  thence  proceeded 
to  the  seat  of  war  to  take  their  part  in  the  great  conflict  then 
existing.  At  the  commencement  of  the  year  18G2,  there  had 
been  organized,  equipped,  and  sent  from  the  State,  ten  regi- 
ments of  infantry,  one  company  of  cavalry,  and  one  company 
of  sharpshooters,  exclusive  of  the  three-months'  regiment. 
There  were  at  that  date  remaining  in  the  State,  either  already 
organized,  or  in  process  of  formation,  the  Ninth,  and  from  the 
Twelfth  to  the  Nineteenth  inclusive,  of  infantry,  three  regi- 
ments of  cavalry,  and  ten  batteries  of  artillery.  Of  these,  the 
Ninth  or  German  Regiment,  recruited  mostly  from  Milwaukee 
and  the  Lake  Shore,  was  completed.  The  Twelfth,  sta- 
tioned at  Camp  Randall,  was  in  readiness,  and  awaiting  orders. 
The  Thirteenth,  encamped  at  Jamesville,  also  in  readiness, 
and  the  first  to  receive  marching-orders.  It  left  the  State  on 
the  9th  of  January,  18G2,  for  Fort  Leavenworth.  The  Four- 
teenth, rendezvoused  at  Fond  du  Lac,  was  yet  engaged  in 
recruiting  companies  to  reach  the  maximum.  The  Fifteenth  — 
recruited  under  Col.  Heg,  late  state-prison  commissioner,  and 
composed  mainly  of  Scandinavians  —  was  engaged  in  recruiting, 
and  was  mustered  at  Camp  Randall  on  the  13th  of  February. 
The  Sixteenth,  already  above  the  minimum,  was  still  adding  to 
its  numbers  while  awaiting  orders.  The  SeventcMth  —  being 
recruited  under  the  immediate  auspices  of  Col.  John  L.  Doran, 
and  made  up  almost  entirely  of  persons  of  Irish  birth  —  was 

411 


412 


VISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


mustered  at  Madison,  on  tlie  18th  of  March.  The  Eighteenth, 
yet  organizing  and  mustering  companies,  Avas  ordered  into  camp 
at  Milwaukee,  on  the  16th  of  January.  Col.  H.  T.  Sanders, 
having,  just  at  the  close  of  the  preceding  year,  been  commis- 
sioned, with  special  permission  from  the  war  department,  to 
raise  the  Nineteenth  Regiment  as  an  "  independent  acceptance," 
entered  immediately  upon  the  work,  and,  having  met  with 
signal  success,  encamped  at  Racine  in  the  month  of  ISIarch. 
The  three  regiments  of  cavalry,  and  seven  batteries  of  artillery, 
were  already  in  camp,  and  completing  their  organization ;  the 
regiments  of  cavalry  being  located  respectively  at  Kenosha, 
Milwaukee,  and  Janesville,  and  the  artillery  at  Racine.  The 
Eighth  and  Ten<^h  batteries  were  soon  added  at  Ilaeine ;  the 
Ninth  being  at  Burlington. 

In  the  organization  of  the  Department  of  the  Mississippi, 
under  ]\Iajor-Gen.  Ilalleck,  nearly  all  these  troops  were  ordered 
to  report  at  St.  Louis,  and  loft  the  State  before  the  1st  of  April. 
The  dates  and  items  in  connection  with  their  departure  will 
appear  in  further  mention  of  their  movements.  Up  to  the  last 
requirements  to  complete  the  foregoing  organizations,  there 
■was  no  lack  of  recruits.  The  enthusiasm  of  the  people  was  un- 
abated, and  volunteering  Imd  suffered  little  if  any  decline. 
The  last  regiments  leaving  the  State  Avere  in  no  Avise  inferior  to 
those  Avliich  had  preceded  them,  in  number,  patriotism,  or 
physique.  Under  the  call  of  the  President  for  seventy-fiA'e 
thousand  additional  men,  requisition  Avas  made  upon  this  State 
for  but  one  regiment.  Measures  Avere  immediately  adopted  for 
its  organization.  The  subsequent  order  for  five  additional  regi- 
ments, and,  still  later,  the  order  for  a  draft  of  our  quota  of  three 
hundred  thousand  troops,  convinced  the  people  that  there  Avaa 
an  earnest  occasion  for  another  rally.  The  Avork  Avas  at  once 
commenced  throughout  the  State  Avith  a  rapidity  before  un- 
equalled, and  resulted  in  leaving  but  a  fraction  over  ff>ur  regi- 
ments to  complete  our  quota  under  the  order  for  th^  draft.  If 
the  time  for  volunteering  had  been  extended  for  at  least  fifteen 
days,  the  entire  quota  could,  Avithout  doubt,  have  been  com- 
pleted. The  force  recruited  during  this  period  formed  the 
materiel  for  fourteen  regiments,  —  from  the  Twentieth  to  the 
Thirty-thud  Regiment  incluaive,  —  all  of  Avhich,  except  three, 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


413 


were  now  in  the  field ;  and  the  others  were  in  readiness  to 
follow. 

The  aggregate  number  of  volunteers  raised  m  the  Stale  for 
the  United  States  service,  as  shown  by  the  muster-rolls  of  each 
regiment  at  its  departure,  was  38,511. 

In  presenting  the  following  record  of  the  movements  and 
actions  of  the  regiments  from  this  State  in  the  year  18G2,  it 
cannot  be  expected  that  any  extended  notice  would  be  given 
within  the  limits  of  a  volume  of  the  present  size.  Tliose  who 
take  an  especial  interest  in  the  detailed  war  history  of  Wiscon- 
sin are  directed  to  the  valuable  Avorks  of  E.  B.  Quiner  and  W. 
DeLoss  Love,  on  Wisconsin  in  the  Rebellion.  These  works  are 
very  full  in  their  accounts  of  the  incidents  of  the  war,  and  the 
personal  prowess  of  our  State  volunteei-s,  and  are  very  valuable. 

The  First  Kcgiment  was  re-organized  after  their  return  from 
the  three-months'  service  luider  Col.  Stiukwcathcr ;  and  from 
their  arrival  at  Louisville,  Oct.  30,  18G1,  to  Feb.  18,  18G2,  they 
Avere  principally  engaged  in  repairing  and  guarding  the  line 
of  railroad  extending  south  from  that  place  to  Nashville,  Tcnn. ; 
the  headciuartera  of  the  regiment  being,  most  of  the  time,  at 
Camp  Wood,  near  Munfordville,  on  the  Green  River. 

Immediately  after  the  evacuation  of  BoAvling  Green  by 
the  rebels,  they  Avere  ordered  to  that  place,  Avhence,  on  the 
27th  of  February,  they  took  up  their  line  of  march  for  Ten- 
nessee, sixtj'-four  miles  from  RoAvhng  Green,  encamping  on 
the  2d  of  March  at  Edgefield,  directly  opposite  Nashville,  and 
separated  from  it  by  the  Cumberland  River.  On  the  8th  of 
March,  they  crossed  the  river,  and  Avent  into  Camp  Andy 
Johnson,  near  Nashville  ;  and  five  companies  set  out  on  out- 
post duty.  The  next  day,  one  of  these  companies  (B)  A\'as 
attacked  by  rebels;  and,  during  the  skirmish  Avhich  ensued, 
private  J.  W.  Greenly  of  that  company  was  killed,  the  first 
Union  soldier  Avho  gave  his  life  for  tlie  Union  in  Tennessee. 

From  Nashville,  they  marched,  on  the  5th  of  April,  to  Colum- 
bia, on  the  line  of  the  Nashville  and  Decatur  Railroad,  and 
forty-six  miles  distant  from  the  former  place.  Company  K  was 
here  detached  as  provost-guard ;  and  the  regiment  Avent  into 
Camp  Walker,  near  that  city,  li'rom  their  arrival  at  Columbia, 
untd  tlie  28th  of  May,  they  were  almost  inc^  ;santly  engaged 


414 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


in  expeditions,  of  greater  or  less  magnitude,  against  the  nu- 
merous bands  of  rebel  forces  which  tlien  infested  the  vicinity 
of  their  camp.  In  one  of  these  expeditions,  Gen.  Negley's 
brigade,  of  which  this  regiment  formed  a  part,  marched  from 
Pulaski,  the  county-seat  of  Giles  County,  in  Tennessee,  to 
Florence,  on  the  Tennessee  River,  in  i*.labama,  arriving  at 
that  place  on  tlie  IGtli  of  May,  having  dr."ven  the  rebels  from 
their  ferry-boats,  and  shelled  them  out  of  their  camp ;  and 
tlienco  returned  to  Columbia  on   '  he  ,  having  marched  a 

hiuidred  and  eighty  miles  in  ten  ''  ^  ..  the  24th  of  May, 
Company  K  was  relieved  by  Company  C  as  provost-guard  at 
Columbia,  and  on  the  28th,  Companies  A,  B,  G,  and  K,  were  de- 
tailed to  go  with  an  expedition  against  Chattanooga  in  Tennessee. 
The  rest  of  tlie  regiment  \'ere  occupied  during  the  month  of 
June,  principally  in  guard i;ig  railroad-bridges  between  Columbus 
and  Pulaski.  They  were  marched  to  Iluutsville,  Ala.,  on  tlie  28th 
of  July,  from  which  time  until  the  18th  of  August,  —  wlien  they 
were  ordered  to  Nashville,  —  they  were  engaged  in  performing 
around  Iluutsville  the  same  kind  of  duty  that  tliey  had  so  well 
discharged  previously  in  the  vicinity  of  Columbia ;  preventing, 
by  rapid  and  decisive  assaults,  any  organization  or  concentra- 
tion of  rebel  forces  in  their  vicinity.  On  the  6th  of  September, 
they  were  again  ordered  to  BowUng  Green  in  Ki^nlueky,  at 
which  place  thf'y  remained  until  called  upon  to  ;  :\:  I  .ipate  in 
the  general  movement  of  the  army,  Avhich  resi.  •  'i  i'  '.ho  8th 
of  October,  in  the  memorable  battle  of  Perr  •>  >.ii."e  the 

rebel  forces  under  Gen.  Bragg  were  defeated  Ly  i.  Union 
troops  under  Gen.  Buel  The  gallantry  of  the  men  au  •  •  'leers 
in  this  battle  deserves  special  mention.  Three  times  advanced 
ui^on  by  the  rebels,  who  were  as  often  repulsed,  they  stood 
without  wavering,  and  delivered  an  effective  and  witheriiK^ 
fire.  Among  their  trophies  were  the  colors  of  the  First  Ten- 
nessee, which  they  captured  in  a  bayonet-charge.  That  the 
First  Wisconsin  did  its  whole  duty  is  abundantly  proved  by 
the  record  of  casualties.  Their  loss  in  kil]'"l  was  fifty-seven ; 
in  wounded,  one  hundred  and  twenty-seveu  '■■<■  prisoners,  seven ; 
and  missuig,  seven.  The  prisoners  —  amc.i;  "  \om  was  Lieut. 
Caliger  of  Company  B  —  were  all  taken  at  nigia,  w;.ilo  search- 
mg  the  field  of  battle  for  thei'  dead  and  wounded.    Major 


416 


niSTORT  OF  WISCOSBIN. 


Mitchell,  Capt.  Green  of  Company  K,  and  Lieuts.  Wise  of 
Company  F,  and  Hambrook  of  Company  E,  were  severely 
wounded. 

The  regiment,  at  the  last  reports  (in  1862),  was  in  Murfrees- 
borough,  in  Negley's  division  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 

The  Second  Regiment  —  which  had  been  identified  with 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  from  its  first  organization  to  the 
present  time,  and  which  was  the  representative  of  Wisconsin 
at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run  — was  joined,  later  in  the  season, 
by  the  Sixth  and  Seventh  Regiments.  On  the  re-organization 
of  the  army  by  Gen.  McClellan,  these  regiments,  together  with 
the  Nineteenth  Indiana,  were  organized  as  a  brigade,  and 
assigned  to  the  command  of  Brig.-Gen.  Gibbon;  Gen.  King 
having  been  promoted  to  the  command  of  a  division.  Thence- 
forth their  history  is  identical ;  and  Wisconsin  may  well  be 
proud  of  their  record,  which  has  procured  for  them  the  name 
of  the  "  Iron  Brigade  of  the  West." 

The  winter  was  spent  in  camp  at  Arlington,  Va.,  preparing 
for  the  spring  campaign.  In  the  grand  review  of  the  27th  of 
March,  the  Wisconsin  troops,  particularly  the  Second,  were 
complimented  for  their  soldierly  appearance,  and  thorough 
acquaintance  with  military  drill. 

Tliey  participated  in  the  advance  on  Richmond,  under  the 
command  of  Major-Gen.  McDowell;  and  subsequently,  under 
Major-Gen.  Pope,  acted  as  rear-guard  to  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  at  the  time  it  fell  back  on  Washington.  In  the  per- 
formance of  this  duty,  the  Sixth  Wisconsin,  the  very  last  to 
retire,  marched  slowly  and  steadily  to  the  rear,  faced  to  the 
front  again  as  they  reached  their  new  position,  and  saluted 
the  approachinj  enemy  with  three  rousing  cheers  and  a 
rattling  volley. 

In  the  three-days'  fight  of  the  28th,  29th,  and  30th  of 
August,  at  Gainesville  and  Bull  Run,  Gibbon's  brigade  suf- 
fered terribly.  The  Second  went  into  the  fight  with  about 
four  hundred  and  thirty  men,  and  lost  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing,  two  hundred  and  eighty-six  ;  the  colonel,  and  one 
captain  being  lulled,  and  Major  Allen,  Capt.  Smith,  and  Lieuts. 
Baldwin,  Bell,  and  Esslinger  wounded.  Col.  O'Connor  fell, 
fighting  bravely.     He   was  dearly  beloved   by  his   regiment. 


HISTOnr  OF  WISCONSIN. 


417 


The  loss  of  the  Sixth  was  seventeen  killed  and  ninety-one 
wounded  ;  and  the  Seventh  lost,  in  killed  and  wounded, 
seventy-five  men,  including  Capt.  Brayton,  Company  B,  killed, 
and  Capts.  Walker  and  Walthers,  Lieuts.  Bird  and  Hobart, 
wounded. 

Afterwards,  in  the  short  campaign  in  Maryland,  under  com- 
mand of  Gen.  MeCIellan,  they  nobly  sustained  their  reputation 
at  the  battles  of  South  Mountain  and  Antietam,  which  termi- 
nated the  campaign  by  forcing  the  rebels  to  retire  across  the 
Potomac.  In  the  battle  of  Sharpsburg,  Sept.  14,  Capt.  Col- 
well  of  Company  B,  Second  Regiment,  was  killed  while  in 
command  of  the  line  of  skirmishei-s.  The  Second  went  into 
the  battle  of  Antietam  Sept.  17,  one  hundred  and  fifty  strong, 
and  came  out  with  fifty-nine. 

These  regiments  were  now  in  the  fourth  brigade,  left  grand 
division  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Of  this  brigade,  Gen. 
McClellan  wrote,  — 

"I  beg  to  odd  to  this  indorseraent  the  expression  of  my  great  admiration 
of  the  conduct  of  tlie  three  Wisconsin  regiments  in  Gen.  Gibbon's  brigade. 
I  have  seen  them  under  fire,  acting  in  a  manner  that  reflects  the  greatest 
possible  credit  and  honor  upon  themselves  and  their  State:  they  are  equal 
to  the  best  troops  in  any  army  of  the  world." 

The  Third  Regiment  passed  the  winter  of  1861-62  principally 
at  Alexandria,  of  which  place  Col.  Ruger  was  appointed  pro- 
vost-marshal. In  the  spring  campaign,  they  were  assigned  to 
the  command  of  Major-Gen.  Banks,  entering  Winchester,  Va., 
on  the  12tk  of  March,  and  accompanied  him  in  the  sudden 
retreat  towards  Washington,  which  commenced  on  the  25th  of 
May.  They  acted  as  a  portion  of  the  rear-guard,  and  lost,  in 
the  various  conflicts  occurring  by  the  movement,  about  one 
hundred  and  twenty  men  in  killed,  wounded,  and  niissing. 
The  retreat  was  conducted  with  the  most  admirable  coolness, 
the  men  facing  about  in  line,  three  several  times  giving  the 
enemy  a  number  of  volleys. 

This  division  returned  soon  afterwards  to  Winchester  to  co- 
operate with  the  commands  of  Gens.  Fremont  and  Sigel,  and  on 
the  9th  of  August  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain. 
The  regiment  went  into  battle  with  four  hundred  and  twenty- 


418 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


three  men,  of  whom  one  hundred  and  seven  were  either  killed, 
wounded,  or  missing.  In  the  official  report  of  Gen.  Gordon, 
who  commanded  the  brigade,  special  praise  is  awarded  to  the 
Third  Wisconsin  and  a  Massachusetts  regiment  for  displaying 
great  coolness  under  the  terrible  fire  tbcy  were  ordered  to  face. 
During  this  action,  Lieut.-Col.  Crane  was  killed,  who  fell  gal- 
lantly leading  his  men  upon  the  enemy.  Capt.  O'Brien  of 
Company  I  was  wounded  early  in  the  day,  but  refused  to  leave 
the  field.  Later  in  the  day,  he  received  a  mortal  wound,  and 
died  three  days  afterwards.  Capt.  Hawley  and  Licuts.  Snow 
and  Derring  were  also  wounded,  and  Lieut  Widney  taken 
prisoner. 

Subsequently,  they  took  part  in  the  short  and  brilliant  cam- 
paign under  McClellan,  in  which  Antietiim  was  the  finishing 
stroke  to  the  invaders  in  Maryland.  They  took  into  action 
about  three  hundred  and  forty-five  men,  and  lost,  in  killed  and 
wounded,  one  hundred  and  ninety-seven.  In  this  battle,  Lieut. 
Reed  was  killed,  and  Col.  Ruger,  Capts.  Stevenson  and  Whit- 
man, Lieuts.  Field,  Shepard,  Parks,  and  Dick  were  wounded. 
On  the  7th  of  December,  the  regiment  was  in  Gen.  Gordon's 
brigade,  headquarters  near  Antietam  Ford,  Md. 

The  Fourth  Regiment  (Col.  H.  E.  Paine)  remained  at  Wis- 
consin Barracks,  in  Baltimore,  during  the  Avintcr,  performing 
garrison-duty,  and  perfecting  themselves  in  drill  and  thorough 
military  organization.  On  the  19th  of  February,  they  left  Bal- 
timore for  Newport  News ;  at  which  place  thoy  embarked,  on 
the  6th  of  March,  for  Ship  Island,  as  a  part  of  the  expedition  to 
New  Orleans,  under  Gen.  B.  F.  Butler.  Arriving  at  their  des- 
tination, they  were  assigned  to  the  second  brigade,  inider  com- 
mand of  Brig.-Gen.  Thomas  Williams.  Tliey  remained  at  Ship 
Island  until  the  15th  of  April,  when  they  Avere  placed  on  board 
"The  Great  Republic"  for  transport;' tion  to  New  Orleans. 
From  the  17th  to  the  27th,  they  were  at  the  south-west  pass  of 
the  Mississippi.  During  this  time.  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip, 
the  rebel  defences  of  the  river,  were,  bombarded  by  the  mortar- 
fleet  of  Com.  Porter.  Com.  Farragut  having  succeeded  in  pass- 
ing the  forts  with  his  fleet,  before  their  surrender,  a  part  of  the 
regiment  was  sent  in  small  boats  to  land  above  and  in  the  rear 
of  Fort  St.  Philip,  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  off  the  retreat  of 


BISTOJtY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


419 


the  rebels  from  that  place.  To  accomplish  this,  they  were  com- 
pelled to  wade  several  miles,  dragging  their  boats  with  them. 

The  expedition  was  entirely  successful ;  between  four  and  five 
hundred  of  the  enemy  being  captured  while  attempting  to 
escape  to  New  Orleans.  For  the  manner  in  which  they  per- 
formed their  duty,  they  v,:ere  complimented  by  Gen.  Butler. 
They  were  the  second  regiment  to  enter  the  city  on  the  1st  of 
May.  On  the  8th,  they  again  embarked  for  Vicksburg,  taking 
possession  of  Baton  Rouge,  the  capital  of  Louisiana.  On  arriv- 
ing at  Vicksburg,  Gen.  Williams  found  his  force  too  small  to 
risk  an  attack  upon  that  city,  and  returned  to  Baton  Rouge. 
On  the  19th  of  June,  the  Fourth  again  left  this  place,  to  parti- 
cipate in  the  second  attack  on  Vicksburg.  The  fortifications 
having  been  materially  strengthened,  it  was  decided  to  open  the 
navigation  of  the  river  by  cutting  a  new  channel.  They  were 
engaged  at  this  work  for  twenty  days.  The  low  stage  of  water 
having  defeated  this  project,  they  returned  to  Baton  Rouge 
on  the  28th  of  July.  Baton  Rouge  was  evacuated  on  the  23d 
of  August,  when  they  returned  to  CarroUton,  and  were  stationed 
at  the  parapet  which  forms  the  defences  of  KeAV  Orleans.  In 
September,  they  were  sent  up  the  river  in  pursuit  of  guerillas ; 
and,  having  ascertained  the  whereabouts  of  a  band  of  Texan 
"  Greasers,"  they  attacked,  and  pursued  them  three  miles,  into  a 
cypress-swamp,  capturing  four  hundred  horses  and  forty  prison- 
ers. Few  regiments  had  done  less  fighting  than  the  Fourth: 
no  regiment  had  undergone  more  hardship  and  privations.  In 
an  expedition  up  the  Yazoo  River,  Capt.  J.  W.  Flynn  of  Com- 
pany I,  and  six  men,  Avere  killed  by  a  shell  while  detailed 
iis  sharpshooters  upon  the  gunboat  "Tyler."  The  regiment 
encamped  at  Carrollton,  about  eight  miles  above  New  Orleans. 

The  Fifth  Regiment  (Col.  Amasa  Cobb)  left  their  winter- 
quarters  at  Cami)  Gritlin,  near  Lewii.ville,  Va.,  where  they  had 
been  stationed  during  the  winter,  and  marciied,  on  the  9th  of 
March,  to  Flint  Hill,  two  miles  from  Fairfax  Court  House, 
whence  they  were  marched  to  the  Potomac,  within  four  miles 
of  Alexandria.  Tlicre  they  embarked,  on  the  23d,  to  take  part 
in  the  great  expedition  against  Richmond,  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  McClellan. 

From  their  arrival  at  Hampton  in  Virginia,  on  the  26th  of 


420 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


March,  to  the  day  of  the  final  retreat,  their  history  is  thoroughly 
identified  with  that  of  the  Army  of  the  Peninsula.  Their 
conduct  in  the  hattle  of  Williamshuig,  on  the  5th  of  May, 
where  Capt.  Bugh  was  severel}  wounded,  was  such  as  to  elicit 
a  flattering  encomium  from  Gen.  McCIellan,  who,  on  the  7th  of 
May,  addressed  the  regiment  as  follows :  — 

"  My  laflS,  I  have  come  to  thniik  you  for  your  gallant  conduct  the  other 
day.  You  have  gained  honor  for  your  country,  yourselves,  your  State,  and 
the  army  to  which  you  belong.  Throuyh  you,  we  won  the  day;  and  Wdliams- 
hurg  sliatl  he  inscribed  upon  your  banner.  I  cannot  thank  you  enough  for  what 
you  have  done.  I  trust  in  you  for  the  future,  and  know  that  you  will  sus- 
tain the  reputation  you  have  won  for  yourselves.  Uy  your  actions  and 
superior  discipline,  you  have  gained  a  reputation  which  shall  bo  known 
throughout  the  Army  of  tlie  Potomac.  Your  country  owes  you  its  grateful 
thanks.     As  for  myself,  I  never  can  thank  you  enough." 

Wliile  on  picket-duty  near  Golden  Farm,  on  the  28th  of 
June,  Capt.  Evans  of  Company  K  received  a  severe  wound,  ivorr. 
the  effects  of  which  he  died  on  the  1st  of  August.  Ciipt. 
Walker  Avas  also  wounded  at  the  same  time. 

The  regiment  hore  its  full  share  in  the  great  series  of  hattles 
from  June  29  to  July  4.  Col.  Cobb  led  his  regiment  success 
fully  and  bravely  through  all  its  actions ;  but  at  this  juncture  he 
was  lost  to  the  regiment,  having  been  elected  to  Congress. 

Lieut.-Col.  H.  W.  Emery  died  at  his  native  place,  in  Lisbon, 
N.H.,  on  the  13th  of  October.  He  was  appointed  lieutenant- 
colonel  at  the  organization  of  the  regiment.  lie  entered  upon 
the  discharge  of  his  duties  with  an  ardent  zeal.  The  privations 
and  exposure  of  camp-life  to  one  of  his  physical  constitution  was 
more  tlian  he  could  endure ;  and  his  constitution  finally  gave 
way.  At  the  battle  of  Williamsburg,  in  command  of  five  com- 
panies of  his  regiment  as  skirmishers,  he  manifested  a  discipline 
and  intrepidity  which  showed  hun  worthy  to  command  Wiscon- 
sin troops. 


CHAPTER  XLII. 
Wisconsin's  war-record. 

Events  of  1802,  continued—  Regimental  History —  Bravery  of  Wisconnln  Soldiot 
—  Eolioes  from  tlia  Battle-Fields, 

The  Eighth  Regiment  (Col.  R.  C.  Murphy),  from  the  time  of 
their  departure  from  the  State,  up  to  the  middle  of  January, 
with  the  exception  of  the  skirmish  at  Frederickston,  in  the 
autumn  of  18G1,  was  principally  engaged  in  guarding  railroad 
bridges  and  other  general  duties  in  the  southern  portion  of  Mis- 
souri and  in  Arkansas.  On  the  16th  of  January,  they  left  Camp 
Curtis,  arriving  at  Cairo  the  next  day.  From  Cairo  they  were 
ordered  to  Mt.  Pleasant,  Mo.,  to  participate  in  the  attack  on 
Island  No.  10,  whence  they  marched,  on  the  7th  of  April,  to 
New  Madrid. 

Shortly  after  the  reduction  of  this  island,  they  were  ordered 
to  Corinth,  and  arrived  at  Pittsburg  Landing  on  the  22d  of 
April,  when  they  at  once  took  their  place  in  the  army  destined 
for  the  reduction  of  Corinth.  On  the  9th  of  May,  at  the  battle 
of  Farmington,  the  Eighth  Regiment,  under  the  command  of 
Lieut.-Col.  Robbins,  lost  in  killed  three  (of  whom  two  were  com- 
missioned officers),  and  sixteen  wounded,  and  one  missing.  On 
the  28th  of  May,  leaving  Farmington,  the  regiment,  under  the 
command  of  Lieut.-Col.  Robbins,  —  Col.  Murphy  being  in  charge 
of  the  brigade,  —  went  into  action  before  Corinth,  and,  by  their 
steady  courage  and  demeanor,  demonstrated  their  bravery  under 
a  heavy  fire,  losing,  in  this  action,  two  killed  and  five  wounded. 
This  was  the  last  effort  of  the  rebels  to  defend  the  city,  which 
was  entered  by  our  troops  two  days  afterwards. 

Subsequently  they  were  ordered  to  luka,  where  they  remained 
until  the  approach  of  the  rebels  under  Price  and  Van  Dom, 

422 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


428 


when  they  were  again  ordered  to  Corinth,  and  took  part  in  the 
second  battle  of  Corinth,  on  the  3d  and  4th  of  October.  During 
this  battle,  while  Col.  Murphy  was  absent,  Lieut.-Col.  llobbins 
and  Major  Jefferson  were  wounded,  and  carried  from  the  field ; 
and  the  command  of  the  regiment  devolved  upon  Capt.  Britton, 
who  nobly  conductfl  the  action.  Their  loss  in  this  battle  was 
fourteen  killed,  sevfc.ity-five  wounded,  and  two  missing.  After 
joining  in  the  pursuit  of  the  rebels  which  followed  this  battle, 
they  returned  to  Corinth  on  the  14th  of  October,  after  which 
time  they  were  stationed  in  the  vicinity  of  Waterford,  Miss. 

The  Eiglilli  nobly  earned  the  encomiums  bestowed  upon  it. 
Its  record  is  such  that  Wisconsin  may  well  feel  proud  of  the 
Eagle  Regiment. 

On  the  8th  of  December,  the  regiment  was  at  Waterford, 
Miss.,  in  the  left  wing  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  under  the 
command  of  Major-Gen.  U.  S.  Grant. 

The  Ninth  Regiment  left  Camp  Sigel,  at  Milwaukee,  under 
command  of  Col.  F.  Salomon,  on  the  22d  of  January,  18G2,  num- 
bering thirty-nine  officers  and  884  men.  Though  this  regiment 
was  raised  under  the  special  promise  of  Gen.  Fremont  that  it 
should  compose  a  part  of  the  division  of  Gen.  Sigel,  the  heroic 
compatriot  of  its  members,  the  successor  of  Gen.  Fremont  did 
not  feel  under  any  obligation  to  carry  out  such  a  promise ;  and 
the  regiment  left  for  another  destination.  None  of  the  Wiscon- 
sin regiments  embraced  so  large  a  number  of  officers  and  soldiers 
of  military  experience  as  the  Ninth.  The  eagerness  of  the  regi- 
ment to  encounter  the  enemy  was  not  gratified  imtil  the  30th 
of  September,  at  Newtonia.  In  the  first  part  of  the  battle,  but 
four  companies  were  engaged  against  an  enemy  of  a  far  superior 
number,  strongly  intrenched.  '  "'.3  balance  of  the  regiment, 
with  Gen.  F.  Salomon's  brigade,  arrived  later,  and  also  took  a 
part  in  the  fight.  Four  days  after  this  battle,  the  Ninth  Regi- 
ment, with  the  brigade,  were  again  on  the  march  for  another 
attack  on  Newtonia,  which,  however,  had  been  evacuated  by  the 
enemy,  who  had  experienced  heavy  losses,  and  did  not  feel 
strong  enough  to  resist  another  attack.  The  retreat  of  the 
rebels  was  so  hasty,  that  a  part  of  their  camp  equipment  and  a 
rocket-battery  fell  into  the  hands  of  our  forces.  The  official 
report  of  the  regiment  in  this  battle  shows  a  loss  of  a  htm* 


4H 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


dred  and  oighty-eight  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  of  whir  1\ 
only  eigiit  were  named  as  killed.  In  the  buttle  ut  Prairie 
Grove,  the  Ninth  Regiment  was  in  the  rear-giiard,  without  tak- 
ing part  uctivcly  in  the  fight. 

The  last  report  from  the  regiment  in  1802  showed  that  it  was 
encamped  at  Rhea's  Mills,  Ark.  The  Tenth  Regiment  (Col. 
A.  R.  Chapin),  when  last  referred  to,  was  at  Camp  Jefferson, 
near  Bacon  Creek,  in  Kentucky ;  at  which  place  they  were 
stationed  during  the  winter,  and  until  the  20th  of  April.  Gen. 
O.  M.  Mitchell,  in  the  following  order  of  that  date,  addi'esses 
them  as  follows  :  — 

'  SoLDiEiis,  —  Your  march  on  Bowling       '"n  won  the  thanks  and  confi- 
dcnco  of  our  commanding  general.     Wit  ncs  and  cars  captured  from 

the  enemy,  our  advance-guard  precipitate  (pon  Nashville.    It  was  now 

made  your  duty  to  seize  and  destroy  the  Aleuiphis  and  Charleston  Railway, 
the  great  military  road  of  the  enemy.  With  a  supply-train  only  sufficient 
to  faed  you  at  a  distance  of  two  days'  marclt  from  your  depot,  you  under- 
took the  herculean  task  of  rebuilding  twelve  hundred  feet  of  heavy  bridging, 
which,  by  your  untiring  energy,  was  accomplished  in  two  days.  Thus,  by  a 
railway  of  your  own  construction,  your  depot  of  supplies  was  removed  from 
Nashville  to  Shelbyville,  sixty-threo  miles,  and  in  the  direction  of  the  object 
of  your  attack.  The  blow  now  became  practicable.  Marching  with  a 
celerity  such  as  to  outstrip  any  messenger  who  might  have  attempted  to 
announce  your  coming,  you  fell  upon  Iluutsvillc,  taking  your  enemy  com- 
pletely by  surprise,  and  capturing  not  only  his  great  military  road,  but  all 
his  machine-shops,  engines,  and  rolling-stock.  Thus  providing  yourselves 
■with  ample  trausiwrtation,  you  have  struck  blow  after  blow  with  a  rapidity 
unparalleled.  Stevenson  fell  sixty  miles  east  of  Iluntsville.  Decatur  and 
Tuscumbia  have  been,  in  like  manner,  seized  and  captured.  In  three  days, 
you  have  extended  your  front  of  operations  more  than  a  himdred  and  twenty 
miles;  and  your  morning  gun  at  Tuscumbia  may  now  be  heard  by  your 
comrades  on  the  battle-field  made  glorious  by  their  victory  before  Corinth. 
A  communication  of  these  facts  to  headquarters  has  not  oidy  won  the  thanks 
of  the  commanding  general,  but  those  of  the  department  of  war,  ^vhicti  1 
announce  to  you  with  proud  satisfaction.  Accept  the  thanks  of  your  com- 
mander, and  let  your  future  deeds  demonstrate  that  you  can  surpass  your- 
selves." 

From  this  time,  they  were  engaged  in  guarding,  and  keeping 
in  repair,  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railway,  until  they  were 
called  upon  to  join  in  the  general  movement  of  our  troops  to 
the  northward,  rendered  necessary  by  the  advance  of  Gen. 
Bragg  towards  Cincinnati, — a  movement  which  resulted,  on 


BISTORT  OF  ry/scoNsrtf. 


426 


the  8th  of  October,  in  the  butllo  of  PeiTyville.  In  thiii  action, 
the  Tenth  greatly  distinguished  theniHclves ;  for  two  hours 
holding  their  position  without  relief,  and  long  after  their  ani- 
rnunition  was  cxptiided.  During  this  engagement.  Major  II.  O. 
Johnson  was  killed ;  and,  of  the  three  hundred  and  seventy- 
two  men  whom  thoy  took  into  battle,  ihirty-six  were  killed,  a 
hundred  and  eight  were  wounded,  and  three  were  missing,  — 
bruvo  men  all,  who  nobly  won  honor  to  themselves,  their  State, 
and  their  country.  'J'hey  subsequently  moved  to  the  vicinity 
of  Nasliville,  where  they  were  at  the  close  of  18G2. 

Tlu!  iCleventhlleiiiraent  (Col.  Charles  L.  Harris)  was  stationed 
during  tiie  greati  ,  part  of  the  winter,  at  Camp  Curtis,  near 
Sulphur  Springs,  in  Missouri,  guarding,  and  kee})ing  in  repair,  u 
line  of  railroad,  extending  over  sixty  miles ;  thenc:  to  Pilot 
Knob,  wliith  they  left  on  the  23d  of  March,  arriving  at  Reeves 
Station,  on  the  Black  liivcr,  on  the  27th.  From  Reeves  Sta- 
tion, they  marched  one  hundred  and  eighty-five  miles,  to  Jack- 
sonport,  in  Lawrence  County.  On  the  19th  of  May  they  Avero 
at  Batesville,  in  Arkansas,  which  place  they  left  on  the  22d  of 
June,  crossing  the  Black  River  at  Jacksonport,  where  they  left 
their  sick,  and  pushed  forward  to  Augusta.  In  this  vicinity 
they  remained  until  the  Gth  of  July,  when  they  marched 
fifteen  miles,  to  "  a  place  where  the  rebels  had  made  another 
blockade,"  followed,  the  next  day,  by  the  battle  of  Bayou 
Caohe,  in  which  the  Eleventh  lost  four  killed  and  fifteen 
wounded,  the  Iatt>ir  number  including  the  colonel,  one  captain, 
and  one  lieutenant.  From  Bayou  Cache,  they  marched  co 
Helena,  in  Arkansas,  arriving  there  on  the  13th  of  July. 

A  glance  at  their  route  through  Missouri  and  Arkansas  will 
convey  some  idea  of  the  privations  tliey  must  have  been  called 
upon  to  undergo  in  a  march  through  a  comparative  wilderness. 

Their  conduct  at  Bayou  Cache  was  a  suiBciont  indication  as 
to  what  their  conduct  would  be  when  called  upon  to  assert 
Wisconsin  valor  on  the  battle-field. 

From  Helena,  they  marched  to  Patterson,  in  Missouri,  where 
they  were  at  the  close  of  1862,  in  the  first  division  of  the 
Army  of  South-east  Missouri,  under  command  of  Brig.-Gen. 
J.  W.  Davidson. 

The  Twelfth  Regiment  was  organized  under  the  direction 


426 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


of  Col.  George  E.  Brj'ant,  formerly  a  captain  in  the  three- 
months'  volunteers,  where  he  distinguished  himself  for  gal- 
lantry, and  thorough  acquaintanoe  with  the  duties  of  a  soldier. 
They  left  Madison  on  the  11th  of  January,  arriving  at 
Weston,  Mo.,  on  the  17th.  On  the  loth  of  February,  they 
marched  from  thence  to  Leavenworth  City,  in  Kansas,  which 
place  they  left  on  the  1st  of  March  for  Fort  Scott,  accom- 
plishing the  distance,  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  in  six  days ; 
from  Fort  Scott  to  Lawrence,  and  from  Lawrence  back  to  Fort 
Leavenworth,  on  tlie  Missouri,  arriving  on  the  27th  of  May. 
Here  they  embarked  on  the  29th  for  St.  Louis.  On  arriving  at 
that  place,  they  took  a  steamer  for  Columbus,  Ky.,  arriv- 
ing at  the  latter  place  on  the  4th  of  June.  During  tlie  months 
of  June,  Jul3',  August,  and  September,  the  Twelfth  was  en- 
gaged in  repairing  and  guarding  the  railway  in  Soutli-west 
Kentuclcy  and  North-west  Tennessee.  In  the  begin'  ing  of 
October,  tliey  were  moved  to  Bolivar,  in  Tennessee. 

The  Twelfth  was  a  marching  regiment,  and  was  not  engaged 
in  any  of  the  great  battles  which  occupied  a  prominent  place 
in  the  eyes  of  the  country.  On  the  1st  of  December,  1862, 
they  were  in  camp,  near  Waterford,  Miss.,  in  tlio  fourth 
division  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  under  command  of 
Major-Gen.  U.  S.  Grant. 

The  Thirteentli  Regiment  (Col.  William  P.  Lyon)  left  Camp 
Medway,  at  Janesville,  under  orders  for  Kansas.  From  Wes- 
ton, ]\Io.,  they  marched  to  Leavenworth  City,  Avhere  they  staid 
three  weeks,  thence  to  Fort  Scott,  and  afterwards  to  La\vrence. 

Tlicy  were  subsequently  ordered  to  Columbus  m  Kentucky, 
at  Avhicli  place  they  arrived  in  the  beginning  of  June ;  and 
about  the  middle  of  August  were  transferred  to  Fort  Heniy, 
in  Tennessee,  where  they  remained  in  garrison  during  the  year. 

On  the  1st  of  September,  Col.  JTaloney  was  recalled  by  the 
war  department  to  his  former  command  in  the  regular  service ; 
and  Capt.  Williom  P.  Lyon  of  the  Eighth  was  promoted  to  the 
colonelcy  of  the  regiment.  The  regiment  was,  at  the  close 
of  18G2,  in  the  district  of  Columbia,  department  of  West 
Tennessee,  commanded  by  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant. 

The  Fourteenth  Regiment  (Col.  John  Hancock)  made  up 
principally  of  companies  from   the  northern  line  of  frontier 


428 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


co'onties,  left  Fond  du  Lac  on  the  8th  of  March,  arriving  at 
St.  Louis  on  the  11th.  They  remained  in  Benton  Barracks  two 
weeks,  and  moved  thence  np  the  Tennessee  River,  with  ordera 
to  report  to  Gen.  Gra,nt  at  Savannah. 

On  the  Gth  of  April,  they  marched  from  Savannah  to  Shiioh, 
arriving  about  midnight,  where  they  were  compelled  to  stand 
in  the  storm,  without  shelter,  until  daylight,  and  took  part  in 
the  memorable  battle  of  the  7th  of  April.  In  this  engagement, 
the  regiment  charged  three  successive  times  upon  a  rebel 
battery,  and,  after  a  terrible  contest,  captured  it.  One  of  the 
pieces  was  spiked  by  Liuut.  Staley  of  Company  D,  and  pre- 
sented to  the  regiment  by  Major-Gen.  Hallcck ;  and  is  now  kept 
by  the  State  as  a  trophy  of  the  gallant  action  of  her  sons.  In 
this  battle,  Capt  George  E.  Waldo  of  Manitowoc  was  killed ; 
Col.  Wood,  Lieut.-Col.  Messmore,  and  Lieuts.  M.  ^L  Ilurlbut 
and  J.  D.  Post,  were  wounded,  from  the  effects  of  whicli  the 
latter  died,  on  the  27th  of  May.  The  total  loss  of  the  regi- 
ment was  foiu-teen  killed,  seventy-two  wounded,  and  seven 
missing.  Lieut.  M.  K.  Barnes  died  of  disease,  at  Hamburg, 
Tenn.,  Aug.  3. 

The  hardships  and  exposure  incident  to  this  battle,  and  Col. 
Wood's  position  afterwards  as  provost-marshal  at  Pittsburg 
Landing,  induced  disease,  by  which  he  was  prostrated.  He 
was  taken  home  to  Fond  du  Lac  to  die,  and  add  another  noble 
victim  to  this  war  brought  on  by  an  unholy  rebellion. 

At  the  second  battle  of  Corinth,  on  the  3d  and  4th  of  Octo- 
ber, the  regiment,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Hancock,  dis- 
played signal  bravery,  and  by  its  unflinching  courage  sustained 
the  reputation  they  had  acqul  ed  at  Shiioh,  where  they  had 
earned  the  name  of  the  "  Wisco.isin  Regulars."  Their  brigade 
was  commanded  by  Col.  John  M.  Oliver  of  the  Fifteenth 
Michigan,  from  whose  official  account  of  the  battle  the  liUow- 
ing  extract  is  taken :  — 

"  This  regiment  was  the  one  to  rely  upon  in  ony  emergency.  Though 
suffering  nioro  loss  than  any  other  regiment  in  the  command,  they  main- 
tained their  lines,  and  delivered  their  fire,  with  all  the  precision  and  coolness 
which  could  havo  been  maintained  upon  drill. 

"  I  would  call  your  attention  to  the  death  of  Capt.  Vaughan  of  tho 
Fourteenth  Wisconsin,  who  fell  at  the  end  of  the  old  line  of  the  enemy's 
breastworks,  nobly  supported  by  Capt.  Harrison  of  the  same  regiment. 


nisTORT  OF  wiscosam. 


429 


They  steadily  held  the  party  of  Rkirmishcri;  on  our  right  and  front,  at 
the  foot  of  the  hill,  where  we  had  so  long  and  fierce  a  fight.  On  Friday, 
Capt.  Harrison  lost  a  log  (since  died).  Capt.  Vauglian  gave  his  life  for  his 
country.  First  Lieut.  S.  A.  Tinkham,  promoted  for  meritorious  conduct  at 
Shiloh,  who  was  killed  about  the  same  tims  on  Friday,  deserves  honorable 
mention  for  his  services.  Capt.  Asa  Worden  and  First  Lieut.  E.  F.  Ferris, 
particularly  distinguished  for  their  bravery  and  coolness,  were  wounded 
while  in  the  active  discharge  of  their  duties." 

In  this  action,  they  lost  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing, 
ninety-eight  men.  Col.  Hancock,  then  commanding  officer, 
had  been  actively  engaged  in  four  of  the  great  battles  of 
this  war ;  viz.,  Blackburn's  Ford,  Bull  Run,  Shiloh,  and  Corinth, 
in  each  of  whicli  he  had  proved  himself  a  Avorthy  inheritor  of 
the  honored  name  lie  bears.  The  regiment  Avas  then  (Dec.  8) 
near  Abbyville,  Miss.,  in  the  left  wing  of  Army  of  the  Ten- 
nessee, under  command  of  Major-Gen.  U.  S.  Grant. 

The  Fifteenth  Regiment  (Col.  Hans.  C.  Heg)  was  raised 
principally  from  the  Scandinavian  population  of  the  State, 
and  on  the  2d  of  Marrh  left  Camp  Randall.  They  proceeded 
to  Chicago  ami  to  the  Mississippi  River,  moved  down  that 
stream,  and  v  incorporated  with  the  force  operating  against 
Island  No.  lU.  '  )i\  the  8th  of  April,  the  Union  foKcs  took 
possession;  and  the  ril'teentli  was  put  in  g.an-isd;  tlhrc.  On 
the  11th  of  June,  Col.  ! !  ur  was  ordered  to  proceed  in  the 
direction  of  Corinth  with  ciglit  companies,  leaving  two  com- 
panies at  the  island  as  garrison;  where,  according  to  last 
reports  (in  18G2),  they  still  remained.  Subsequei  'y,  the  eight 
companies  were  removed  from  place  t'l  place,  through  Ten- 
nessee, Alabama,  Mississippi,  and  IC'  utucky,  taking  part  in 
several  skirmishes  and  scouting-partios.  In  one  expedition, 
two  infantry  regiments,  under  Licut.-Col.  McKee  of  the  Fif- 
teenth, returned  with  forty-six  prisoners,  a  hii  h-ed  small-arms, 
eighteen  horses,  and  twenty  mules,  taken  i'      i  guerillas. 

The  Fifteenth  was  .also  engaged  in  the  liattle  of  Perry  villa. 
The  regiment,  Dec.  20,  was  near  jNIurfreesborough,  Tenn.,  in 
the  ninth  division  of  tlie  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  under 
command  of  Major-Gen.  W.  S.  Rosecrans. 

The  Sixteenth  Regiment  (Col.  Benjamin  Allen),  one  of  the 
largest  which  left  the  State,  had  completed  its  organization 
about  the  middle  of  February,  and  left  Camp  Randall,  Madi- 


430 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Bon,  on  the  thirteenth  day  of  March,  under  orders  for  St.  Louis. 
Here  they  remained  but  one  day,  embarking  on  the  15th  for 
Fort  Henry,  Tenn.,  to  join  Gen.  Grant's  command.  Previous 
to  their  arrival,  Gen.  Grant  had  moved  his  command  to  Savan- 
nah, at  which  place  the  regiment  joined  him,  on  the  20th  of 
March. 

They  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  on  the  6th  aiid  7iu 
of  April.  They  were  posted  as  the  advance-guard  of  the  army, 
in  which  position  they  exchanged  the  first  shot  with  the  enemy, 
and  afterwards  nobly  did  their  duty  during  that  terrible  first 
day's  battle.  Capt.  Saxe  was  lulled  at  the  fiist  fire ;  and  Capt. 
Pease  received  a  mortal  wound,  from  the  effects  of  which  he 
died  on  the  22d  of  April.  Col.  Allen,  Lieut.-Col.  Fairchild, 
and  Capts.  Train  and  Wheeler  were  wounded.  The  total  loss 
in  killed  and  wounded  at  this  battle  was  two  hundred  and 
forty-five.  In  no  action  of  Wisconsin  regiments  had  more 
bravery  and  determined  resistance  been  shown  than  in  the 
action  of  this  regiment  in  that  memorable  contest.  The  cool- 
ness and  intrepidity  of  the  field-ofiicers  —  in  connection  with 
whom  should  be  mentioned  Adjutant  Sabin,  and  in  which  they 
were  nobly  supported  by  tho  whole  regiment  —  has  already 
become  a  prominent  item  in  the  history  of  this  war.  The 
many  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  entrap  the  regiment  on  the 
morning  of  the  Gth  instant  were  most  gallantly  repulsed,  and, 
by  the  coolness  of  the  colonel,  most  ingeniously  thwarted. 

They  participated  in  tlie  siege  of  Corinth,  under  command 
of  Gen.  Ilallcck,  and,  after  its  occupation  by  oiu-  troops,  were 
stationed  in  the  vicinity  during  the  summer,  and  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Corinth,  on  the  3d  and  4th  of  October,  where 
their  loss  was  thirty-five  in  killed  and  Avounded. 

After  their  return  from  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy  which  fol- 
lowed this  battle,  they  were  stationed  for  a  short  time  at 
Grand  Junction,  from  which  place  they  marched,  on  tlie  28th 
of  November,  in  the  direction  of  Holly  Springs.  On  the  30th, 
they  Avoif  engaged  in  the  battle  in  front  of  the  rebel  strong- 
hold on  .  lie  Tallahatchie,  which  resulted  in  the  surrender  of 
the  enemy's  fortifications  at.  that  place,  which  were  entered  by 
our  troops  on  the  1st  of  December.  The  regiment  at  this 
date  numbered  four-  hundred  and  ninety-nine.    Having  become 


BTSTOSr  OF   WISCOffSTlf. 


481 


so  reduced,  it  was  deemed  advisable  by  the  commanding  gen- 
eral to  consolidate  the  ten  companies  into  five,  which  was  done. 
Col.  Allen  returned  to  Wisconsin,  where,  assisted  by  his  surplus 
line  officers,  he  recruited  five  additional  companies  from  among 
the  drafted  men  in  camps  of  rendezvous.  At  the  close  of  1862, 
this  regiment  was  near  Grand  Jiuiction,  Tenn. 

The  Seventeenth  Regiment  (Col.  Adam  G.  Malloy),  composed 
mainly  of  Irishmen,  was  recruited  at  large  throughout  the  State, 
and,  having  completed  its  organization,  left  Camp  Randall  in 
two  divisions ;  the  first  on  the  20th  of  [March,  and  the  second 
on  the  23d,  for  St.  Louis.  Here  they  were  placed  in  Benton 
Barracks,  and  were  soon  ordered  to  Corinth,  in  the  vicinity  of 
which  place  tliey  were  stationed  during  the  summer. 

They  took  part  in  the  second  battle  of  Corinth,  on  the  3d  and 
4th  of  October.  Up  to  this  date,  the  regiment  had  not  been 
called  upon  to  participate  in  any  general  engagement.  They 
fought  gloriously.  To  defeat  an  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  out- 
flank our  forces,  the  Seventeenth  Avas  ordered  to  "  charge  bay- 
onets." With  a  deafening  cheer  of  their  national  '■'■Faugh  a 
hallah  !  "  heard  so  often  on  the  battle-fields  of  old  Europe,  they 
rushed  upon  the  rebels,  routing  and  dispersing  them  in  wild 
disorder.  Their  behavior  merited  the  encomiums  of  Gen. 
McArthur,  who  said,  "Boys  of  the  Seventeenth,  you  have 
made  the  most  glorious  charge  of  the  campaign."  In  this 
action,  the  regiment  lost  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing, 
forty-one  men.  Among  the  wounded  were  Capt.  H.  McDermott 
of  Company  B,  who  was  shot  tlirough  the  shoidder  while  lead- 
ing his  company. 

On  the  resignation  of  Col.  John  L.  Doran,  Lieut.-Col,  A.  G. 
j\Ialloy  was  promoted  to  the  command  of  tlie  regiment ;  Major 
McMahon  was  connnissioned  lieutenant-colonel,  and  Adjutant 
William  II.  Plunkett  major,  —  promotions  worthily  bestowed, 
and  which  materially  increased  the  efficiency  of  the  regiment. 

At  the  close  of  18G2,  tliey  were  near  Waterford,  j\Iiss.,  in  the 
left  wing,  Army  of  tlie  Tennessee,  under  command  of  JNlajor- 
Gen.  Grant. 

The  Eighteenth  Regiment  (Col.  Gabriel  Bouck),  about  the  1st 
of  Februarj%  was  in  camp,  although,  as  yet,  scarcely  full  to  the 
minimum.    The  weather  was  inclement,  and  prevented  their 


482 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


attaining  much  proficiency  in  drill  during  the  short  time  which 
intervened  between  their  organization  as  a  regiment  and  their 
departure  from  Milwaukee,  on  the  30th  of  March.  They  merely 
touched  at  St.  Louis,  being  hurried  forward  to  join  the  main 
army  at  Pittsburg  Landing.  On  the  morning  after  their  arrival 
(the  memorable  Cth  of  April),  just  one  week  from  their  departure 
from  Milwaukee,  they  were  called  upon  to  take  part  in  the 
battle  of  Shiloh.  Their  loss  in  this  and  the  succeeding  day's 
conflict,  was  in  killed,  twenty-four,  among  whom  were  Col. 
Alban,  Major  Grain,  and  Capt.  Compton ;  wounded,  eighty-two, 
including  Lieuts.  Coleman  and  Potter ;  and  in  prisoners,  a  hun- 
dred and  seventy-four,  among  whom  Avere  four  caj)tain3  and 
four  lieutenants. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  from  Gov.  Harvey, 
written  at  Cairo,  while  on  his  errand  of  mercy  to  tlie  sick  and 
wounded  Wisconsin  soldiers,  should  form  a  portion  of  the 
record  of  the  Eighteenth :  — 

"  My  heart  bleeds  at  the  sad  fortune  of  this  regiment,  the  most  recently- 
gathered  of  all  our  regiments.  Knciimped  at  Milwaukee  in  an  inclement 
season,  affording  no  opportunity  for  cither  company  or  regimental  drill, 
without  a  single  regimental  offieer,  and,  1  beliovCi  no  company  officer  of 
military  experience,  they  were  ordered  from  Milwaukee  to  St.  Louis,  with 
the  expectation  of  passing  some  timr;  at  Benton  Barr;icks  in  becoming 
familiar  with  their  duties.  But  tliey  were  hurried  from  the  cars  to  a  boat, 
'  di.sembarked  at  Pittsburg  Landing  Saturday  night,  and  sent  from  the  river 
directly  to  the  front  of  Sherman's  division,  and  plunged  into  the  hottest  of 
the  figlit  on  Sunday  morning.  Many  of  the  mcii  heard  the  older  to  loud 
and  fire,  for  the  first  time  in  their  lives,  in  the  presence  of  an  enemy.  They 
did  all  tliat  men  could  do.  Many  regiments  of  that  fight  may  well  covet 
the  impressions  whicii  tiie  Eighteentli  Wisconsin  left  of  personal  bravery, 
heroic  daring,  and  determined  endurance." 

Capt.  Gabriel  Bouck  of  Company  E,  Second  Regiment,  was 
promoted  to  command  t)f  this  regiment  on  tlie  22d  of  April. 
During  the  summer,  they  were  stationed  at  Corinth.  On  the 
3d  and  4th  of  October,  they  participated  in  tlic  battle  of 
Corinth.  Here  "  Col.  Bouck,  cool  and  sagacious,  with  his 
gallant  Eighteentli  AViseonsin,  did  most  effectual  service ;  was 
detached  to  guard  Smith's  Bridge,  which  he  afterwards,  by 
order,  destroyed  ;  and  brought  liis  command  into  the  division 
iu  excellent  order." 


484 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Capts.  Millard,  Layne,  Fisk,  Bremmer,  and  Saxton,  and 
Lieuts.  Wilson,  Ford,  Woodruff,  Stokes,  and  Southmayd,  taken 
prisoners  at  Sbiloh,  were  exchanged,  and  again  returned  to 
their  regiment. 

At  the  close  of  1862,  the  regiment  was  (Dec.  8)  near  Abby- 
ville,  in  the  left  wing.  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  under  command 
of  Major-Gen.  Grant. 


h}. 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 


Wisconsin's  war  recobd. 


Events  of  1862  continued  — Regimental  HUtory— The  War  Record  to  the  Close 
of  the  Year  1862  — Memories  of  the  Battle-FieUI. 

And  now  as  to  the  Nineteenth  Regiment,  Col.  H.  T.  San- 
ders. By  special  authority  from  the  war  department,  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Nineteenth  as  an  independent  regiment  was 
commenced  in  the  month  of  December,  1861,  and  completed 
in  the  beginning  of  April,  1862. 

On  the  20th  of  April,  they  were  ordered  to  Camp  Randall, 
at  Madison,  to  take  charge  of  the  rebel  prisoners  sent  to  Wis- 
consin after  the  fall  of  Fort  Donelson.  Upon  the  transfer  of 
the  prisoners  to  Chicago,  they  were  ordered  to  the  Potomac, 
and  left  Madison  on  the  2d  of  June,  arriving  in  Washington 
on  the  5th.  From  Washington,  they  were  ordered  to  Norfolk, 
in  Virginia,  where  they  still  remained  in  1862.  The  following 
extract  from  "  The  Norfolk  Union "  will  show  in  what 
estimation  they  were  held  there :  — 

"We  do  not  wish  to  detract  from,  or  in  any  respect  call  in  question,  the 
claim  to  the  brave,  moral,  and  high-toned  qualities  of  the  people  of  the  good 
old  State  of  Connecticut,  so  renowned  in  all  that  gives  dignity  to  a  Chris- 
tianized civilization  of  the  highest  order  ;  but  we  think  a  part  of  the  great 
North-west  will  be  entitled  to  be  known  as  the  Connecticut  of  the  West  in 
this  respect ;  and  we  are  led  to  these  remarks  by  the  exemplary  conduct  and 
quiet  bearing  of  the  Wisconsin  regiment  now  stationed  here,  under  corn* 
mand  of  its  gallant  leader.  Col.  Sanders.  Our  people  had  become  favorably 
impressed  with  the  Delaware  First,  and  sincerely  regretted  its  removal  ;  but 
we  believe  that  they  are  fully  compensated  by  the  substitution  of  the  Nine- 
teenth Wisconsin,  which  has  won  the  entire  confidence  of  the  people." 

Col.  Sanders  at  that  time  occupied  a  triplicate  position,  — 
as  president  of  the  military  commission,  commander  of  the 
provost-marshal's  guard,  and  colonel  of  the  Nineteenth. 

485 


486 


nrsTOsr  of  wi scon  bin. 


The  Twentieth  Regiment  (Col.  Henry  Bertram)  was  organ- 
ized under  the  call  for  seventy-five  thousand.  The  men  were 
recruited  during  the  months  of  June  and  July.  The  organiza- 
tion was  completed,  and  the  regiment  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service,  in  the  beginning  of  August. 

The  field  officers  of  this  regiment  were  all  promoted  from 
the  old  regiments  in  the  field,  —  Col.  Bertine  Pinkney,  for- 
merly lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Third,  Lieut.-Col.  Bertram, 
captain  of  Company  A  in  the  same  regiment,  and  Major  H. 
A.  Starr,  captain  in  the  First,  all  of  whom  were  capable  men, 
and  officers  of  experience. 

On  the  30th  of  August,  they  left  Camp  Randall  under  orders 
for  St.  Louis,  where  they  arrived  on  the  31st.  On  the  6th  of 
September,  they  were  ordered  to  Rolla,  at  which  place  they 
remained  for  ten  days,  when  they  marched  to  Sprmgfield,  on 
the  22d. 

Quartermaster  J.  A.  Douglas,  whose  health  had  been  declin- 
ing for  some  time  previous,  died  on  the  14th  of  October.  He 
was  univeraally  esteemed  by  the  regiment. 

They  remained  in  the  vicinity  of  Springfield  until  the 
beginning  of  December,  when  they  were  called  upon  to  take 
part  in  the  movement  of  Gen  Herron"s  forces  for  the  purpose 
of  effecting  a  junction  with  Gen.  Blunt  (who  was  holding  the 
enemy  in  check  near  Cane  Hill,  Ark.),  thereby  preventing 
the  rebels  from  entering  Missouri.  On  Sunday,  the  7th  of 
December,  they  came  in  sight  of  the  enemy  at  Prairie  Grove, 
Ark.,  having  marched  one  hundred  miles  in  three  dsvys.  Their 
conduct  during  the  terrible  fight  which  followed  showed  they 
did  not  need  their  general's  reminder,  as  he  placed  them  in 
position,  that  "  Wisconsin  had  never  been  disgraced  by  lier 
sons  in  arms."  They  charged  upon  and  took  a  rebel  battery 
of  six  guns  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and,  being  unable  to 
take  the  guns  from  the  field,  disabled  them,  and  slowly  retired, 
without  confusion,  under  the  fire  of  five  rebel  regiments. 
Capts.  John  McDermott  and  John  Weber,  and  Lieut.  Thomas 
Bintliff,  were  killed  in  this  fearful  charge,  and  Lieut.-Col. 
Henry  Bertram,  Capts.  O.  Gillett  and  H.  C.  Strong,  with 
Lieuts.  Jackson,  Bird,  Butler,  Blake,  Ferguson,  Root,  and 
Miller,  wounded.  The  total  loss  was  forty-nine  killed,  one 
hundred  and  forty-eight  wounded,  and  eight  missing. 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


487 


This  sketch  may  be  properly  concluded  by  quoting  the 
following  brief  order  of  the  commanding  general :  — 

"Camt  PnAiRiK  Grove,  Arkansar, 

Dec.  10,  IHfiS. 
Gov.  E.  Salomon,  —  I  congratulate  you  and  the  State  on  the  glorious 
conduct  of  the  Twentieth  Wisconsin  Infantry  in  the  great  battle  of  Prairie 
Grove.  Nol)ly  have  they  sustained  the  reputation  of  the  State.  I  earnestly 
rcconamend  the  immediate  promotion  of  Lieut. -Col.  Bertram  to  the 
colonelcy. 

(Signed)  F.  J.  IIerbon,  Brigadier-General, 

Commanding  1st  and  Sd  Divisions. 

Col.  Pinkney  having  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health, 
Lieut.-Col.  Bertram  was  promoted  to  the  command  of  the 
regiment  on  the  10th  of  December,  1862. 

The  Twenty-first  Regiment  (Cf)l.  Benjamin  J.  Sweet)  was 
recruited  and  organized  during  the  months  of  July  and 
August,  under  the  President's  last  call  for  three  hundred 
thousand  men,  and  was  formed  of  companies  recruited  from 
Fond  du  Lac,  Manitowoc,  Waupacca,  and  Outagamie  Counties. 

The  field  officers  were  all  promoted  from  service  in  old  regi- 
ments,—  Col.  Sweet,  formerly  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Sixth, 
Lieut.-Col.  Hobart  from  the  Fourth,  and  Major  Schumacher 
from  the  Sixth. 

They  left  Camp  Bragg,  under  orders  for  Cincinnati,  on  the 
11th  of  September,  and,  immediately  on  their  arrival  in  that 
city,  were  transferred  to  the  Kentucky  side  of  the  river,  and 
took  their  position  in  the  defence  of  Cincinnati.  They 
remained  in  this  vicinity  until  the  approach  of  the  rebel  army, 
under  Gen.  Bragg,  when,  on  the  8tb  of  October,  they  took  part 
in  the  battle  of  Perryville,  less  than  one  month  after  they  left 
the  State.  Placed  in  the  front  of  the  batteries  of  the  right 
brigade,  they  met  the  approach  of  the  enemy  with  a  withering 
fire,  which-  they  sustained  with  the  greatest  coolness,  until 
overpowered,  and  compelled  to  retire.  In  this  battle,  they  lost 
in  killed  forty-one,  including  Major  Schumacher,  Capt.  Gibbs, 
and  Capt.  George  Bentley  of  Company  H,  Lieut.  E.  D. 
Kirkland  of  Company  H,  and  Lieut.  Mitchell  of  Company  C ; 
in  wounded,  one  hundred  and  one,  including  Col.  Sweet,  one 
captain,  and  two  lieutenants ;  in  prisoners,  one  hundred  and 


438 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


twenty-one,  among  wlioin  was  Lieut.  J.  C.  Crawford  of  Com- 
pany G,  taken  prisoner  while  looking  after  the  dead  and 
wounded  on  the  field  of  hattle,  at  night.  There  were  also 
missing  fifteen,  who  were  supposed  to  have  l>een  killed,  or 
taken  prisoners. 

At  the  close  of  18C2,  this  regiment  was  (Dec.  15)  near 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  the  third  division  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  under  command  of  Major-Gen.  Rosecruns. 

The  Twenty-second  Regiment  (Col.  William  L.  Utley)  was 
made  up  almost  exclusively  of  men  from  the  counties  of  Racine, 
Rock,  Green,  and  Walworth.  Col.  Utley  had  beca  for  many 
years  prominent  iu  military  matters  of  the  State,  and  twice 
occupied  the  position  of  adjutant-general.  The  task  of  organ- 
izing the  first  volunteer  regiments  of  the  State,  in  the  year 
18G1,  devolved  upon  him.  In  this  work,  new  i  j  Wisconsin, 
and  without  precedent  or  experience,  his  military  knowledge 
and  energy  contributed  largely  to  the  efiBciency  and  fame  of 
Wisconsin  soldiera. 

The  regiment  was  ordered  to  Cincinnati,  and  left  Racine  on 
the  IGth  of  September,  arriving  at  Cincinnati  on  the  18th. 
They  were  encamped  in  Kentucky,  about  five  miles  south-west 
of  the  city,  until  the  last  of  November,  when  they  removed  to 
Nicholasville,  below  Lexington. 

Tlie  Twenty-third  Regiment  (Col.  Joshua  J.  Guppy)  was 
composed  princi^jally  of  Dane  and  Columbia  County  men. 
Col.  Guppy  is  a  well-known  resident  of  Portage  City.  He 
was  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Tenth  Regiment,  and  had  the 
advantage  of  a  military  education,  and  of  one  year's  service 
in  the  field.  Lieut.-Col.  Jussen  was  a  member  of  the  State 
legislature  of  18C1  and  18G2. 

The  regiment  was,  for  the  time  it  had  been  in  camp,  the  best 
drilled  of  any  from  the  State. 

They  left  Camp  Randall,  en  route  for  Cincinnati,  on  the  18th 
of  September,  and  established  their  headquarters  at  Camp  Bates, 
in  Kentucky,  about  five  miles  above  the  city,  on  the  Ohio  River. 
They  were  subsequently  moved  near  Paris,  in  Kentucky.  Here 
they  remained  until  the  last  of  October,  when  they  marched  to 
Nicholasville.  Thence  they  marched  to  LouisviUe,  arriving  on 
the  loth  of  November;  having  accomplished  the  mai-ch  of 


440 


HIBTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


eighty-five  miles  in  four  days.  At  Louisville,  they  embarked 
on  the  18th  of  November,  under  orders  for  Memphis,  at  wlich 
place  they  arrived  on  the  27th,  where  they  were  at  the  closo  of 
1862,  in  the  first  brigade,  first  division,  Brig.-Gen.  A.  7.  Smith 
commanding,  and  were  unattached  to  any  army. 

Capt.  Frost,  Company  K,  died  on  Dec.  18,  in  hospital,  at 
Memphis. 

The  Twenty-fourth  Regiment  (Col.  Charles  H.  Larrabee)  was 
properly  called  a  Milwaukee  Regiment.  Fully  nine-tenths  of 
its  members  were  from  that  city.  To  form  it,  she  gave  from  the 
flower  of  her  youth,  and  her  best  and  most  influential  citizens. 
Col.  Larrabee  was  the  former  popular  majc  i*  of  the  Fifth  Regi- 
ment ;  Lieut.-Col.  Buttrick,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Milwaukee  ; 
and  Major  Hibbard,  the  well-remembered  captain  of  the  Mil- 
waukee Zouaves  of  the  Fifth. 

This  regiment  left  Milwaukee  for  Louisville,  Ky.,  on  the 
5th  of  September.  On  their  arrival  at  that  place,  they  were 
placed  in  Camp  Jo.  Holt.  Here  they  remained  until  the  10th, 
when  they  were  ordered  to  Cincinnati  to  assist  in  the  defence 
of  that  city.  They  reached  Cincinnati  the  next  day,  and  were 
placed  in  position  at  Covington,  Ky. 

They  returned  to  Louisville  about  the  20th,  and  on  the  1st  of 
October  commenced  their  march  towards  Perryville.  They  took 
part  in  the  battle  fought  at  this  place  on  the  8th  of  October. 
They  were  held  as  a  reserve  until  about  three  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  when  they  were  ordered  to  support  a  battery.  While 
perfv-rming  this  duty,  they  lost  one  man,  who  was  instantly 
killed. 

They  took  part  in  the  pursuit  of  Bragg,  which  followed,  and, 
after  various  marchings  and  counter-marchings,  went  into  camp 
at  Nashville,  where  thoy  were  December,  1862,  in  the  right 
wing  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  under  command  of 
Major-Gen.  Rosecrans. 

The  Twenty-fifth  Regiment  (Col.  Milton  Montgomery)  was 
made  up  of  companies  from  Grant  and  the  river  counties.  Col. 
Montgomery  is  a  prominent  citizen  of  Spaita,  Monroe  County. 
Lieut.-Col.  Nasmith  was  promoted  to  his  present  position  from 
a  captaincy  in  the  Sixth. 

Under  orders  from  Major-Gen.  Pope,  commanding  department 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


441 


of  the  North-west,  this  regiment  left  La  Crosse  on  the  20th  of 
September,  for  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  and  from  thence  to  aid  in 
quelling  th  3  Indian  troubles  in  Minnesota ;  one  company  being 
assigned  tc  Sauk  Centre,  two  companies  to  Painesville,  two 
companies  to  Acton,  two  companies  to  New  Ulm,  one  to  Leav- 
enworth, one  to  Fairmount,  and  one  to  Winnebago  City  ;  the 
headquarters  of  the  regiment  being  established  at  New  Ulm. 
After  the  capture  of  the  Indians,  they  were  ordered  to  ren- 
dezvous at  Winona,  and  arrived  at  Madison  on  the  18th  of 
December.  By  special  authority  from  Brig.-Gen.  Elliott,  com- 
manding department  of  the  North-west  in  the  absence  of  Gen. 
Pope,  furloughs  were  granted  to  almost  the  entire  regiment 
to  enable  the  soldiers  to  spend  Christmas  at  home. 

They  were,  at  close  of  1862,  at  Camp  Randall,  Madison, 
awaiting  orders. 

Tne  Twenty-sixth  Regiment,  Col.  William  H.  Jacobs.  Not- 
withstanding the  Germans  had  already  sent  an  entire  regiment 
into  the  field,  besides  the  number  of  German  companies  in  the 
various  regiments  of  infantry,  cavalry,  and  batteries  of  artillery, 
the  last  call  for  three  hundred  thousand  was  no  sooner  issued 
than  the  German  patriotism  of  Wisconsin  declared  its  intention 
of  bein^:  represented  in  that  body  of  men  by  another  German 
regimeni.  This  rlesire  was  universal.  Recruits  poured  in;  and 
but  a  short  time  had  elapsed,  when  so  many  volunteers  were 
enrolled,  that  the  Twenty-sixth  was  full  to  the  maximum,  and 
it  became  necessniy  to  assign  companies  to  other  organizations. 

Among  the  officers  were  thirteen  who  had  seen  service,  eleven 
of  whom  had  been  in  war,  either  in  this  country  or  in  Europe. 
About  one-half  of  the  commissioned  officers,  and  perhaps  one- 
fifth  of  the  privates,  had  been  in  military  service  before.  Col. 
Jacobs,  although  without  previous  military  experience,  devel- 
oped such  zeal  and  energy  wliile  in  the  State  as  to  give  earnest 
of  his  soon  becoming  a  skilful  officer. 

It  was  the  intention  of  the  department  to  order  the  regiment 
to  the  So".ih-we!^t ;  but  tlie  personal  influence  of  Gov.  Salomon, 
with  a  representation  of  the  fact  that  the  general  understand- 
ing during  the  time  of  eiilistment  was,  that  the  regiment 
would  be  attached  to  the  command  of  Major-Gen.  Sigel,  pro- 
cured a  reversal  of  the  original  design ;  and  they  were  ordered 
to  Washington. 


442 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


In  accordance  therewith,  they  left  Camp  Sigel,  Milwaukee, 
on  the  6th  of  October,  and,  on  their  arrival  at  Washington, 
were  at  once  sent  forward  to  Gen.  Sigel's  corps. 

In  a  review  which  took  place  soon  after  their  joining  the 
command,  their  action  was  such  as  to  call  forth  the  highest 
encomiums  from  their  commanding  general,  who  pronounced 
them  the  best  disciplined  body  of  troops  in  his  corps,  consider- 
ing the  time  they  had  been  in  camp. 

At  the  close  of  the  year,  they  were  (Dec.  20)  near  Stafford 
Court  House,  Va.,  in  the  Eleventh  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  under  command  of  Major-Gen.  Burnside. 

The  Twenty-seventh  Regiment  (Col.  Conrad  Krez)  was  com- 
posed of  six  companies  raised  in  the  counties  of  Sheboygan, 
Manitowoc  and  Kewaunee,  with  others  from  various  localities. 
In  the  assignment  of  companies  to  this  regiment,  many  fell  short 
of  the  minimum,  by  which  it  was  delayed  in  its  organization 
and  readiness  to  leave  the  State.  By  request  of  the  governor, 
special  permission  from  the  war  department  was  given  to  con- 
tinue recruiting  for  this  and  the  Thirty-first  Regiment,  also  in 
a  similar  position. 

The  organization  was  completed  in  1862,  and  they  anxiously 
awaited  orders  to  take  their  place  beside  others  of  Wisconsin's 
sons  in  doing  battle  for  liberty  and  the  Union. 

The  Twcnty-eighlli  Regiment,  Col.  James  M.  Lewis,  was  com- 
posed principally  of  men  from  the  counties  of  Waukesha  and 
Walworth  ;  left  Camp  Washburne,  Milwaukee,  on  the  20th  of 
December,  under  orders  for  Cairo,  where  they  arrived  next  day. 
They  were  immediately  placed  on  board  a  steamer,  and  sent  to 
Columbus,  Ky.,  where  they  were  December,  1862. 

The  varied  experience  of  Col.  Lewis  as  surgeon  of  the  Second 
Regiment,  and  during  his  captivity  as  prisoner  at  Richmond, 
together  with  the  general  confidence  in  the  ability  of  himself 
and  the  ofBcers  of  lus  regiment,  will  lead  us  to  follow  the  move- 
ments of  tbii  regiment  with  no  common  interest. 

The  Twenty-ninth  Regiment,  Col.  Charles  R.  Gill,  made  up 
mainly  of  volunteers  from  Dodge,  Jefferson,  Dane,  and  Wash- 
ington Counties,  left  Camp  Randall  on  the  2d  of  November, 
under  orders  to  report  at  Cairo.  On  their  arrival,  they  em- 
barked on  the  steamer  "New  Uncle  Sam,"  and  proceeded  to 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


443 


Helena,  Art.,  where  they  were  Dec.  19,  1862.  This  regiment 
as  in  the  second  brigade.  Army  of  the  South-west,  Brig.-Gen. 
Steele  commanding. 

The  Thirtieth  Regiment  (Col.  Daniel  J.  Dill)  was  composed 
of  six  companies  from  the  St.  Croix  and  Chippewa  valleys,  two 
from  Waushara,  and  two  from  Iowa  Counties. 

The  material  composing  it  was  equal  to  that  of  any  which 
had  left  Wisconsin,  as  may  be  inferred  from  the  duties  it  was 
called  upon  to  perform  within  the  State ;  for  as  "  a  prophet 
is  not  without  honor,  save  in  his  own  country,"  it  may  well  be 
supposed  that  its  conduct  was  meritorious  to  call  forth  the 
encomiums  so  freely  bestowed  on  it  in  the  performance  of  duty 
at  home. 

Col.  Dill  was  promoted  to  the  command  from  a  captaincy  in 
the  Sixth  Regiment,  where  he  had  the  experience  of  nearly  a 
year's  campaign  in  the  field. 

The  Thu'ty-first  Regiment  (Col.  Isaac  E.  Messmore),  like  the 
Twenty-seventh,  was  left,  by  the  order  of  the  war  department 
prohibiting  recruiting,  with  less  than  the  minimum.  Six  com- 
panies from  Iowa,  Lafayette,  and  Crawford  Counties,  were 
ordered  into  camp  at  Prairie  du  Chien ;  and  special  permission, 
before  alluded  to,  was  obtained  to  continue  recruiting  for  this 
regiment.  At  the  close  of  the  year,  it  was  much  above  the 
minimum  strength,  and  of  good  materiel. 

On  the  14th  of  November,  it  was  removed  from  Prairie  du 
Chien,  in  charge  of  the  camp  of  rendezvous  for  drafted  men  at 
Racine,  where  it  remained,  awaiting  ordei-s  to  join  the  army  in 
the  field. 

Col.  Messmore  was  formerly  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Four- 
teenth, and  toolc  active  part  in  the  memorable  battle  of  Shiloh, 
on  the  7th  of  April. 

The  Thirty-second  Regiment,  Col.  James  H.  Howe.  This 
regunent,  composed  of  volunteers  from  the  northern  line  of 
counties,  left  their  camp  at  Oshkosh  on  the  30th  of  October, 
under  ordera  for  Cairo,  where  they  arrived  next  day.  From 
Cairo,  they  were  immediately  sent  forward  to  Columbus,  Ky,, 
and  subsequently  to  Memphis,  where  they  were  attached  to 
Gen.  Sherman's  command. 

Col.  Howe  resigned  his  position  as  attorney-general  of  the 


;  H 


;  I 


m 


m 


•  I'll 


444 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


State,  to  which  office  he  had  been  re-elected  for  a  second  term, 
to  take  command  of  this  regiment, 

Lieut.-Col.  Bugh  Avas  promoted  to  his  position  from  a  cap- 
taincy in  the  Fifth  Regiment.  He  was  severely  wounded  in 
the  battle  of  Williamsburg,  on  the  5th  of  Maj%  in  which  he 
displayed  signal  coolness  and  bravery. 

The  Thirty-third  Regiment  (Col.  Jonathan  B.  Moore)  was 
raised  from  the  southern  tier  of  counties  of  Wisconsin.  The 
men  of  this  regiment  were  wholly  froip  the  families  of  the  well- 
to-do  farmers  of  that  locality,  and  constituted  one  of  the  best 
drilled  and  disciplined  regiments  from  the  State. 

"Old  Grant"  was  again  most  worthily  represented  by  the 
colonel,  and  her  other  sons  of  this  regiment.  Lieut.-Col .  Lovell 
was  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  the  State,  and  a  prominent 
lawyer  of  Kenosha.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  and  second 
Constitutional  Conventions,  and  was  speaker  of  the  assembly 
in  1858-59.     He  made  a  most  accomplished  drill-officer. 

The  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  in 
the  beginning  of  October,  and  left  Camp  Utley,  Racine,  for 
Cairo  on  the  11th  of  November.  From  Cairo  they  were  ordered 
to  Helena,  and  from  thence  to  the  Tallahatchie,  where  they 
were  December,  1862. 

The  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  drafted  militia.  Col.  Fritz  An- 
neke.  This  was  the  first  regiment  organized  from  the  drafted 
men  of  this  State  for  nine  months'  service.  Col.  Fritz  Anneke 
had  the  reputation  of  a  skilful  officer  in  the  old  country,  and 
was  promoted  from  Major-Gen.  McClernand's  staff  to  this  regi- 
ment. 

Lieut.-Col.  Orff  was  formerly  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Ninth 
Wisconsin  Infantry. 

Company  G,  Berdan's  sharpshooters,  Capt.  Frank  E«  Marble. 
Wisconsin  contributed  one  company  to  this  regiment,  which, 
on  its  organization,  was  assigned  to  position  as  Company  G. 
They  passed  the  winter  principally  in  camp  of  instruction,  near 
Washington,  and  accompanied  the  army,  under  Gen.  McClellan, 
in  its  advance  on  Richmond,  from  the  debarkation  near  York- 
town,  until  the  final  withdrawal,  and  return  towards  Washing- 
ton. 

They  took  part  in  the  grand  series  of  battles  before  Rich- 


446 


BISTORT  OF  w  I  SCON  am. 


iiiond,  in  one  of  which,  that  of  the  80th  of  June,  Capt.  Drew 
was  instantly  killed  while  rallying  his  men  after  a  temporary 
confusion,  caused  by  the  sudden  falling-back  of  a  Pennsyl- 
vania regiment.  Sergeant  Staples,  also,  well  known  in  the 
vicinity  of  Madison,  wajs  killed  while  assisting  his  captain. 

Subsequently  they  participated  in  the  movements  of  the 
army  under  Gen.  Pope,  and  bore  their  share  in  the  battles  of 
Gainesville  and  Bull  Run  on  the  28th,  29th,  and  80th  of 
August,  where  six  of  their  number  were  wounded. 

The  record  of  this  company  is  such  that  they  cannot  receive 
justice  in  a  sketch  like  this.    They  have  done  their  whole  duty. 

They  were  (Dec.  8)  near  Falmouth,  Va.,  in  the  centre 
grand  division  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

First  Regiment  of  Cavalry,  Col.  Edward  Daniels.  The  com- 
plete organization  of  this  regiment  was  effected  in  February  ; 
and  on  the  17th  of  March  they  left  Camp  Harvey,  under 
orders  for  St.  Louis.  On  their  arrival,  they  were  transferred  to 
Benton  Barracks,  where  they  were  furnished  with  horses,  and 
otherwise  completely  equipjJed.  Thence  they  were  ordered  to 
Cape  Girardeau,  and  left  St.  Louis  on  the  27th  of  April.  From 
Cape  Girardeau,  the  headquarters  of  the  regiment  were  removed 
to  Bloomfield ;  and  detachments  were  constantly  sent  out  in 
various  directions  through  the  country,  which  performed  good 
service  in  preventing  any  organization  of  the  rebels  in  their 
vicinity. 

On  one  of  these  excursions,  parts  of  Companies  A  and  D, 
under  command  of  Major  La  Grange,  attacked  and  dispersed  a 
body  of  rebel  guerillas  at  Chalk  Bluffs,  in  Arkansas.  Their 
loss  was  two  killed,  including  Lieut.  Phillips  of  Company  A, 
and  six  wounded,  among  whom  was  Lieut.  Merrill  of  Com- 
pany D. 

Subsequently  the  regiment  penetrated  the  swamps  of  the 
"  Panhandle,"  reaching  Little  River  at  Homersville,  where  they 
captured  the  rebel  steamer  "  Daniel  Miller,"  worth  about  fifteen 
thousand  dollars,  loaded  with  sugar,  molasses,  whiskey,  and 
rebel  ofiBcers. 

On  the  1st  of  August,  a  detachment  of  twenty-three  men 
from  Company  I,  under  command  of  Capt.  Porter,  surprised  a 
rebel  company  of  eighty-five  men  at  Jonesborough,  and  took 


BIBTORT  OF  WISCONSm. 


447 


eleven  prisoners,  together  with  some  arms,  horses,  and  wagons. 
The  next  day,  after  a  desperate  fight  against  overwhehning 
numbers,  Capt.  Porter  was  forced  to  capitulate,  having  lost,  in 
this  adventure,  killed,  five ;  wounded,  two ;  paroled  as  prisoners, 
eight ;  and  missing,  eight. 

From  Bloomfield,  the  regimental  headquarters  were  trans- 
ferred to  Madison,  Ark.,  the  regiment  being  scattered  over 
about  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  of  territory. 

This  meagre  sketch  falls  far  short  of  doing  justice  to  the 
brave  men  of  this  regiment,  who  have  suffered  great  privations 
in  the  making  of  a  record  which  should  find  a  place  among  our 
historic  treasures. 

Owing  to  the  continued  illness  of  Col.  Daniels,  the  regiment 
had  been  in  1862,  for  some  time,  in  command  of  Lieut.-Col. 
La  Grange,  a  very  popular  and  efficient  officer. 

They  were  at  Patterson,  Mo.,  attached  to  the  Army  of 
South-east  Missouri,  commanded  by  Brig.-Gen.  Davidson,  at 
the  close  of  1862. 

The  Second  Regiment  of  Cavalry  (Col.  Thomas  Stephens), 
on  the  24th  of  March  left  Camp  Washburne,  under  orders  for 
St.  Louis ;  at  which  place  they  arrived  on  the  26th,  and  were 
quartered  in  Benton  Barracks.  Here  they  were  mounted  and 
completely  equipped ;  and,  on  the  15th  of  ATay,  the  first  battal- 
ion left  for  Jefferson  City,  followed,  on  the  19th,  by  the  second 
and  third  battalions.  They  left  Jefferson  City  on  the  28th  en 
route  for  Springfield,  where  they  arrived  on  the  10th  of  June. 
From  Springfield  they  were  ordered,  on  the  13th,  to  join  Gen. 
Curtis's  command.  The  junction  was  effected  at  Augusta. 
They  were  present  at  the  battle  of  Bayou  Cache,  on  the  7th  of 
July,  and  afterward  accompanied  Gen.  Curtis's  command  to 
Helena,  Ark.,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  place  they  were  at  the 
close  of  1862. 

This  regiment  was  familiarly  known  as  "  Washburne's  Cav- 
alry," having  been  recruited  by  the  Hon.  C.  C.  Washburne. 
He  was  retained  in  its  immediate  command  but  a  short  time, 
having  been  promoted  to  the  position  of  brigadier-general. 
Col.  Stephens,  afterwards  in  command  of  the  regiment,  was 
former  inspector-general  of  this  State.  It  was  now  in  the  third 
division  of  the  Army  of  Eastern  Arkansas,  under  command  of 
Gen.  Gorman. 


li 


I 'I 


448 


mSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


The  Third  Regiment  of  Cavalry  (Col.  William  A.  Barstow) 
was  fully  organized,  and  accepted  into  the  United  States  ser- 
vice by  the  muster  of  the  colonel  and  field-officers  on  the  28th 
of  January,. and  left  Camp  Barstow,  Janesville,  on  the  2Gth  of 
March,  for  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis.  A  railroad  accident, 
on  the  same  night,  resulted  in  the  instant  death  of  ten  men, 
mortally  wounding  two,  and  slightly  injuring  twenty-eight. 

They  left  St.  Louis,  under  orders  for  Fort  Leavenworth, 
Kan.,  on  the  22d  of  May,  and  arrived  at  their  destination  on 
the  27th.  Here  they  received  their  horses  and  horse  equip- 
ments, having  previously  been  fully  equipped,  with  these 
exceptions. 

About  the  first  of  June,  Col.  Barstow  was  appointed  pro- 
vost-raarshal-general  of  Kansas,  and  ordered  to  disperse  his 
regiment,  one  company  in  a  place,  in  various  parts  of  Kansas, 
extending  from  near  the  Nebraska  line  on  the  north,  to  Fort 
Scott  on  the  south.  The  regiment  was  thus  scattered  until  the 
8th  of  September,  when  Col.  Barstow  was  relieved  from  duty 
as  provost-marshal,  and  ordered  to  concentrate  his  regiment  at 
Fort  Scott. 

Up  to  this  date,  the  regiment  had  been  engaged  in  no  general 
battle,  but  had  been  on  constant  picket  and  scout  duty,  and 
employed  in  fighting  scattering  bands  of  guerillas,  and  protect- 
ing the  people  and  i)roperty  on  the  borders  of  Kansas  for  a  dis- 
tance of  nearly  two  hundred  miles.  Siiice  then,  in  18G2,  it 
participated  in  the  battles  of  the  Army  of  the  Frontier. 

The  Milwaukee  Cavalry  was  organized  at  Milwaukee  during 
the  month  of  October,  1861,  and  joined  Gen.  Fremont's  army 
at  St.  Louis  as  an  independent  acceptance.  The  officers  in 
charge  were,  captain,  Gustave  Von  Deutsch ;  first  lieutenant, 
Charles  Lehman  ;  second  lieutenant,  Albert  Galoskowski. 

Subsequently,  the  company  became  identified  with  the  Fifth 
Regiment  Missouri  Cavalry,  its  captain  having  been  made 
lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regiment. 

The  First  Heavy  Artillery,  Capt.  A.  J.  Langworthy.  On  the 
9th  of  December,  1861,  Company  K  of  the  Second  Regiment 
(Capt.  A.  J.  Langworthy)  was  detached  from  the  regiment  for 
"  heavy  artillery  duty,"  under  Special  Order  No.  172,  from  the 
headquarters  of  the  army.     In  pursuance  of  this  order,  they 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


449 


moved  the  same  day  into  Fort  Cass,  on  Arlington  Heights, 
Va.,  to  which  tlicy  had  been  assigned  for  garrison-duty.  Their 
number  was  largely  augmented  by  recruits  from  the  State ; 
and,  at  the  close  of  1862,  they  still  remained  in  charge  of  Fort 
Cass,  at  Arlington,  Va. 

Lieut.  Caleb  Hunt  died  Dec.  1,  1862,  at  Milton  Junction, 
the  result  of  injuries  received  in  an  attempt  to  get  on  a  railroad- 
car  while  in  motion. 

The  First  Battery,  Capt.  Jacob  F.  Foster.  On  the  23d  of 
January,  this  battery  left  Racine,  under  orders  for  Louisville, 
Ky.  On  their  arrival,  they  were  placed  in  camp  of  instruction 
near  the  citj',  where  they  remained  until  the  beginning  of 
April,  when  they  marched  in  the  direction  of  Lexington,  and, 
after  performing  duty  at  various  places  to  which  they  were 
ordered  in  that  part  of  the  State,  took  possession  of  Cumber- 
land Gap,  after  its  evacuation  by  the  rebels,  on  the  17th  of 
June.  To  move  these  heavy  guns  a  distance  of  thirty  miles 
across  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  and  in  places  which  the 
enemy  had  pronounced  impracticable  for  light  artillery,  was 
indeed  an  herculean  task ;  but  it  was  accomplished,  and  the 
La  Crosse  Artillery  had  tlie  honor  of  hoisting  and  saluting  tlie 
stars  and  stripes  on  tlie  strongest  of  the  enemy's  forts.  They 
participated  in  the  retreat  from  this  place,  and  on  the  2l8t  of 
November  arrived  at  Cincinnati.  Here  they  remained  until  the 
26th,  when  they  embarked  for  Memphis,  where  they  were 
at  this  date. 

Capt.  Foster  was  made  chief  of  artillery  by  Gen.  Morgan  on 
the  26th  of  April,  giving  him  command  of  twenty-six  guns. 

They  were  now  in  the  right  wing,  Thirteenth  Army  Corps, 
under  command  of  Major-Gen.  Sherman. 

The  Fourth  Battery,  Capt.  John  F.  Vallee.  The  Second 
and  Fourth  Batteries  left  Camp  Utley,  Racine,  on  the  28th  of 
January,  for  Baltimore,  where  they  arrived  on  the  31st,  and 
were  immediately  ordered  to  Washington.  They  remained 
hut  a  few  hours  in  Washington,  as  they  were  ordered  to  For- 
tress Monroe  via  Baltimore.  They  arrived  at  Fortress  Monroe 
on  the  3d  of  February,  and  were  placed  for  duty  in  the  water 
battery,  where  they  were  December,  1862. 

The  Third  Battery,  Capt.  L.  H.  Drury.    The  Badger  Bat- 


450 


HISTORY  OF   WiaCONSIN. 


ti'iy  left  Camp  Utley,  UiK.iiic,  under  oitlers  for  Louisville,  Ky., 
on  the  2od  of  Jiinimry.  On  their  arrival,  they  were  ordered 
into  camp  of  instruction  near  Louisville  ;  and,  while  there, 
their  armament  was  chanj^ed  l)y  (lie  substitution  of  rilled 
thirty-two-pounders  for  their  li;^dit  guns.  On  the  10th  of 
Maich,  they  left  Louisville  for  Nashville,  arriving  on  the 
14th.  Here  ihey  went  into  camp,  and  rcuuiiued  until  the  2'Jth, 
when  they  took  up  their  line  of  march  for  Savaiuiah,  Tenn. ; 
thi'iice  Ihey  were  transferred  to  Pittsburg  Landing  in  tlie 
ii  Ho  of  April.  From  Pittsburg  Landing,  they  marched, 
during  the  summer,  from  place  to  place  in  Tennessee  and 
Kentucky,  and,  on  the  2d  of  October,  left  I,ouisville,  coming  up 
with  tlie  rear-guard  cavalry  pickets  of  the  enemy  on  the  fol- 
lowing morning.  These  were  dislodged  by  a  few  shell  from 
the  long-range  Parrotts ;  and  the  battery  pressed  forward  to 
Perryville.  They  were  present  at,  though  they  took  no  part 
in,  th(!  battle  at  this  place,  but  were  employed  in  the  pursuiL 
of  the  retreating  enemy,  and  took  part  in  the  skirmish  near 
Stanford  on  the  loth  of  "October,  and  subsequently  encamped 
at  Mount  Vernon. 

Capt.  Drury  of  this  battery  was  appointed  chief  of  artil- 
lery in  Crcn.  Van  Cleve's  division,  with  the  charge  of  thieo 
batteries. 

The  Badgers  were,  at  the  close  of  this  year,  near  Nashville, 
in  the  left  wing  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  under  com- 
mand of  Major-Gen.  Rosecraus. 

The  Fifth  Battery,  Capt.  Oscar  F.  Pimiey.  Tliis  battery 
left  Camp  Utley,  Racine,  on  the  loth  of  March,  for  St.  Louis, 
and  arrived  at  that  place  next  day.  On  the  19th,  they  took 
their  departure  from  St.  Louis,  with  orders  to  report  at  New 
Madrid,  where  the}'  were  employed  in  building  forts.  In  the 
latter  part  of  April,  they  were  moved  to  Hamburg,  Tenn. 
They  participated  in  the  battle  of  Farmiugton,  on  the  9th  of 
May.  Four  guns  of  the  battery,  under  Lieuts.  Hill  and  Gard- 
ner, were  ordered  to  the  extreme  front  to  defend  a  biidge, 
across  which  the  rebels  must  j)ass  in  order  to  make  the  attack. 
They  remained  here  three  days,  and  fell  l)ack  in  complianco 
with  the  order  of  Gen.  Pope.  From  this  place,  they  marched 
from  point  to  point  in  Northern  Mississippi  and  Alabama.  On 
the  23d  of  August,  Lieut.  A.  Smith  died  at  luka  Springs. 


462 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


They  left  Louisville  on  the  Isfc  of  October  with  Buell's  army. 
On  the  evening  of  the  7th,  two  of  their  guns  engaged  three  of 
the  enemy's,  and,  after  a  battle  of  several  hours,  silenced  and 
drove  them  from  the  field.  On  the  moriung  of  the  battle  of 
Perryville  they  were  held  as  reserve,  and,  at  five  in  the  after- 
noon, were  ordered  to  support  Gen.  McCook's  division,  as  they 
were  driven  back  by  the  enemy.  In  this  position  they  had 
room  to  use  only  five  guns,  the  sixth  being  silent.  Their 
steady  and  accurate  fire  compelled  the  enemy's  battery  to 
change  position.  The  rebels  attempted  three  times  to  take  the 
battery,  but  were  as  often  repulsed  Ijy  the  sturdy  valor  of  the 
support,  and  the  destructive  fire  of  the  battery.  Here  they 
lost  one  killed  and  one  wounded.  Gen.  McCook,  in  presence 
of  his  staff,  thanked  the  captain  and  battery  for  their  gallantry, 
saying  that  they  had  saved  the  division  from  disgraceful  defeat, 
and  that  he  could  not  appreciate  their  services  too  highly. 

They  continued  in  pursuit  of  rebels  until  the  15th  of  Octo- 
ber, at  Crab  Orchard,  where  they  rested  a  short  time,  and,  on 
the  20th,  commenced  their  march  to  Nashville,  by  way  of  Lan- 
caster. They  arrived  pX  Nashville  on  the  7th  o,f  December, 
having  marched  above  five  hundred  miles. 

They  were  (Dec.  8th)  near  Nashville,  in  the  Fourteenth 
Army  Corps  (Army  of  the  Cumberland),  under  command  of 
Major-Gen.  Rosecrans. 

The  Sixth  Battery  (Capt.  Henry  Dillon)  left  Racine  on  the 
15th  of  March  for  St.  Louis,  arriving  at  that  place  next  day. 
They  embarked  for  New  Madrid  on  the  19th,  and  took  part  in 
the  siege  of  Island  No.  10.  After  Island  No.  10  fell  into  our 
hands,  they  remained  there,  doing  garrison-duty,  until  about 
the  10th  of  June,  when  they  were  ordered  to  Pittsburg  Land- 
ing, And  were  in  the  vicinity  of  Rienzi  during  the  greater  part 
of  the  summer. 

They  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Corinth  on  the  3d  and  4th 
of  October,  and  lost  in  killed,  six,  including  Lieut.  Daniel  T. 
Noyes,  and  in  wounded,  twenty-one. 

The  Sixth  Battery  went  into  the  fight  with  ninety-three  men 
all  told,  and  that  number  raade  up  partly  of  men  detailed  from 
infantry  regiments  of  three  different  States.  They  were  con- 
sidered a  "  forlorn  hope  ;  "    but,  by  their  severe  fighting  and 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


4N 


(logged  bravery,  thoy  actually  turned  the  tide  of  battle  in  our 
favor,  and  won  tlie  fight.  OfBcers  and  men,  loyal  and  rcLol,  all 
agree,  that  no  more  desperate  or  better  fighting  was  ever  done 
than  by  that  battery  at  the  battle  of  the  4tJi.  Well  may  our 
State  be  proud  of  her  troops. 

They  were  (Dec.  9)  at  Oxford,  Miss,,  in  the  left  wing  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee,  under  command  of  Major-Gen.  Grant. 

The  Seventh  Battery  left  Camp  Utley,  Racine,  on  the  16th 
of  March,  and  anived  at  St.  Louis  next  day.  On  the  19th 
they  left  St.  Louis  for  New  Madrid,  which  place  they  reached 
on  the  21st.  They  performed  their  share  in  the  siege  of  Island 
No.  10,  and,  after  its  reduction,  remained  there  as  garrison 
until  the  13th  of  June,  when  they  embarked  for  Hickman, 
Ky.,  and  joined  Gen.  Mitchell's  brigade  at  Union  City.  In 
the  latter  part  of  June,  they  marched  to  Trenton,  Avhero  the 
battery  was  dividei;,  three  guns  being  strtioned  at  Humboldt, 
and  three  at  Trenton. 

They  were  (Dec.  5)  at  Humboldt  and  Trenton,  in  the  dis- 
trict of  Jackson,  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  under  command  of 
Major-Gen.  Grant. 

The  Eighth  Battery  (Capt.  Stephen  J.  Carpenter)  left  Camp 
Utley,  at  Racine,  for  St.  Louis,  on  the  18th  of  March,  arriving 
on  the  20th.  At  St.  Louis,  they  embarked  for  Fort  Leaven- 
worth, Kan.,  on  the  4th  of  April.  On  the  10th  of  May,  they 
commenced  their  march  to  Fort  Riley,  at  which  place  they 
remained  two  days,  and  set  out  on  their  return  to  Fort  Leaven- 
worth on  the  17th.  There  they  embarked,  on  the  27th,  for 
Columbus,  Ky.,  arriving  on  the  4th  of  June.  From  Colum- 
bus, they  were  ordered  to  Humboldt,  at  which  place  they 
remained  from  the  18th  of  June  to  the  1st  of  July,  when 
they  commenced  the  mr.rvh  to  Corinth,  reaching  the  latter 
place  on  the  0th.  Fron  Corinth,  they  were  sent  on  a  scouting 
expedition  to  Jacinto  and  Bay  Springs.  At  the  latter  place 
they  came  up  with  the  enemy  on  the  12th  of  August,  and 
skirmished  with  him  till  dark.  Thence  to  luka  Springs,  on 
the  14th.  From  luka  Springs,  they  were  ordered  to  Nashville, 
at  which  place  they  anived  on  the  4th  of  September.  Thence 
they  marched  to  Louirivllle,  arriving  on  the  2Gth.  They  left 
Louisville  on  the  l?t  of  October,  to  take  part  in  the  movement 


454 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


of  our  army  to  meet  Bragg,  and,  on  the  8th  of  October,  took 
,\(rt  in  the  battle  of  Perryville. 

Tliey  participated  in  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy  which  fol- 
lowed tlie  battle,  overtaking  him,  near  Lane  ister^  on  the  after- 
noon of  the  14th.  They  were  engaged  h\  the  skirmishes  of 
the  next  da\',  shelling  the  enemy  out  of  Lancaster,  and  follow- 
ing him  up  to  Crab  Orchard.  From  Crab  Orchard,  they 
marched  to  Lebanon,  arriving  on  the  22d  ;  from  Lebanon,  to 
Bowling  Green,  arriving  on  the  1st  of  November ;  thence  to 
Nashville,  where  they  encamped  on  the  7th,  after  a  skirmish 
with  Alorgan's  forces  at  Tyree  Springs,  on  the  morning  of  the 
same  ^&y. 

The  centre  section  of  the  battery,  under  command  of  Lieut. 
John  D.  McLetin,  was  left  at  Eastpoit,  Miss.,  by  order ; 
thence  they  marched  to  luka  Springs,  Sept.  12,  and  to  Cor- 
inth, Sept.  13.  Aigain  returned  to  luka  Springs,  where  they 
were  engaged  in  the  battle  of  luka.  After  this  battle,  marched 
to  Corinth,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Corinth,  on  the  3d 
and  4th  of  October. 

They  were  (Dec.  9)  near  Nashville,  in  the  right  wing  of 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  under  command  of  Major-Gen. 
KoFCcrans. 

The  Ninth  Battery,  Capt.  Cyrus  H.  Johnson.  The  Randall 
Battery  left  Camp  Utley,  Racine,  on  the  18th  of  March,  and 
arrived  at  St.  Louis  on  the  20th.  Here  they  were  fully  eqv;ip^>pd 
with  six  guns  captured  at  Fort  Donelson,  and  ordered  to  Kan- 
sas. They  disembarked  at  Fort  Leavenworth  on  the  14th  of 
April,  and  remained  until  the  2Gth,  when  they  commenced  their 
long  mavch  to  Denver  City,  Col.  Ter.,  where  they  arrived 
on  the  2d  of  June.  On  the  5th,  Lieut.  J.  IL  Dodge,  with 
his  section,  was  ordered  to  Fort  Union,  in  New  Mexico, 
whence  he  subsequently  marched  to  Fort  Lyon,  Col.  Ter. 
On  the  14th,  Lieut.  W.  D.  Crocker  was  ordered  to  Fort  Lyon, 
whence  he  afterwards  (July  12)  marched  to  I'ort  I.arned, 
Kan.  The  balance  of  the  battery,  under  command  of  Capt. 
Johnson,  marched,  on  the  22d  of  June,  to  Fort  Lyon,  Col. 
Ter.,  whence  he  returned  to  Denver  City. 

The  battery  was  (Dec.  18)  at  Fort  Lyon,  Col.  Ter.,  except 
Lieut.  W.  D.  Crocker,  with  his  spction,  who  were  at  Fort 
Lamed,  Kan. 


nrsTORT  OF  wiscoysry. 


455 


The  Tenth  Battery,  under  Capt.  Yates  V.  Beebe,  left  Camp 
Utley,  Racine,  on  the  18th  of  March,  under  orders  for  St.  Louis, 
at  whicii  phice  they  arrived  on  the  20th.  While  at  St.  Louis, 
Lieut.  Toner  and  twenty-five  men  were  transfeiTed  to  the 
Eisrhth,  and  Li(ut.  Hicks,  with  forty-five  men,  to  the  Ninth 
Battery,  by  order  of  Major-Gen.  Ilalleck. 

They  remained  at  Benton  BaiTacks  some  time,  and  were  or- 
dered to  Corinth,  via  Cairo,  with  four  guns.  While  at  Corinth, 
their  numbers  were  augmented  by  recruits  from  Wisconsin,  and 
their  armament  increased  to  six  guns.  During  the  summer 
they  were  stationed  at  Corinth ;  and  they  participated  in  the 
battles  around  that  place  on  the  3d  and  4th  of  October,  after 
which  they  were  transferred  to  Nasliville,  where  they  took 
part  in  the  skirmish  before  that  place  on  the  5th  of  November. 
Their  duty  was  principally  guarding  important  points.  They 
were  also  frequently  employ  3d  in  scouting-parties. 

The  battery  was  (Dec.  14)  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  detailed 
for  garrison-duty,  under  Gen.  Mitchell,  who  commanded  the 
post. 

The  Eleventh  Battery,  Capt.  John  Rourke.  The  greater 
portion  of  the  volunteers  in  this  battery,  almost  without  ex- 
ception of  Irish  birth,  were  recruited  by  Lieut.  John  McAfee 
for  the  Seventeenth ;  but,  the  company  organization  of  the 
regiment  having  been  completed,  this  company  was  left  de- 
tached. 

At  the  request  of  Col.  Mulligan  of  the  Illinois  Irish  brigade, 
they  were  organized  as  a  battery  of  artillery  under  Capt.  Jolin 
Rourke  of  Milwaukee,  and  attached  to  his  command ;  the 
number  necessary  to  complete  tiie  organization  being  provided 
in  Illinois. 

They  left  Camp  Randall  on  the  6th  of  April,  and  want  into 
camp  at  Chicago,  where  they  remained  until  the  brigade  was 
oi'dered  into  active  service. 

Since  that  time  (in  1862)  they  remained  under  the  imme- 
diate command  of  Col.  Mulligan. 

The  Twelfth  Battery,  Capt.  William  Zichrich,  was  recruited 
under  the  auspices  of  Capt.  William  A.  Pile  of  Missouri,  by 
special  pormisfilun  of  Gov.  Harvey.  The  men  were  sent  to 
St.   Louis   in   squads,   as  fast    as  enlisted,  with    the    under- 


456 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


standing  that  they  there  would  be  organized  and  equipped 
as  a  Wisronsin  battery.  Capt,  Pile  ai>j)ears  to  have  abused 
the  confidence  of  the  governor,  and  deceived  the  men  he 
enlisted,  by  assigning  them,  in  part,  to  infantry  companies, 
and  elsewhere,  as  he  saw  fit,  and  completing  his  battery  with 
other  recruits,  under  the  name  of  the  First  Missouri  Ar- 
tillery. 

By  special  request  of  Gov.  Salomon,  the  matter  received  the 
attention  of  the  general  commanding ;  and  subsequently,  with 
the  consent  of  the  Avar  department,  the  governor  revoked  Capt. 
Pile's  commission,  and  he  was  removed  from  command.  The 
battery  was  then  re-enforced  by  a  fine  bo  v  of  about  sixty  men 
which  left  Janesvillc  on  the  1st  of  Scptcml>er,  and  was  one  of 
the  most  efficient  in  the  department  to  which  it  was  attached. 

When  joined  by  this  detachment  they  were  transfiirred  to 
the  vicinity  of  Codnth,  IMiss.  They  took  part  in  the  battle  at 
that  place  on  the  3d  and  4th  of  October.  Gen.  Sullivan,  riding 
up  to  the  batt(ny  on  the  field,  said,  "Boys,  I  am  proud  of  you, 
you  have  done  nobly.  Tiio  dead  in  front  of  your  battery 
show  the  work  you  have  done." 

They  joined  in  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy  after  the  battle,  re- 
turning to  Corinth  on  the  3d  of  November.  They  were  (Dec. 
9)  at  Oxford.  Miss.,  in  the  left  wing  of  the  Army  of  West 
Tennessee,  under  command  of  Major-Gen.  Grant. 

The  record  of  Wisconsin's  nol)le  dead  for  the  year  1862 
includes  not  only  her  many  sons  who  had  "fallen  in  the  front 
of  war,"  and  the  suffering  brave  in  camp  and  hospital,  but  the 
name  of  one  who  laid  himself  a  sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of 
liberty,  —  her  chief  magistrate,  the  Hon.  L.  P.  Harvey.  Wis- 
consin alune  has  given  such  a  sacrifice. 

Thanking  God  for  the  impulse  which  had  led  him  to  a  com- 
pleted work,  his  name  is  inscribed  among  tiie  fallen, —  a  noljle 
martyr  in  tliis  war,  brought  upon  us  bj'  an  unholy  rebellion. 

Tiie  widow  of  our  lamented  governor,  fully  imbued  with  the 
(tpirit  of  her  husband  in  his  mission  to  the  sick  and  wounded, 
carried  forward  the  work  he  was  comjjclled  to  liiy  down. 

To  the  brave  men  who  have  gone  from  us  the  gratcfid 
thanks  of  our  State  are  due. 

Reference   has    been  made    to    the    Eagle    Kegiraent.    the 


458 


niSTORT  OF  WISCOffSm. 


Eighth  Wisconsin.  Some  account  of  this  "  eagle,"  from  whom 
the  regiment  derived  its  name,  will  prove  interesting.  This 
eagle  still  lives  at  his  comfortable  quarters  in  the  basement  of 
the  State  Capitol  at  Madison.  In  pleasant  weather  he  can  be 
seen  on  his  perch  near  the  building.  Among  the  many  attrac- 
tions of  the  Capitol  of  Wisconsin,  not  the  least  is  tliis  veteran 
of  the  war. 


"  '  Old  Abe  '  was  captured  in  the  spring  of  1861,  in  Chippewa  County, 
Wisconsin,  by  an  Indian  by  the  name  of  A-ge-mah-me-ge-zhig,  of  the  Lalie 
Flambeau  tribe  of  the  Chippewa  Indians.  Tlie  Indian  sold  the  eagle  to 
JL'.  D.  McCann,  for  a  bushel  of  corn.  Mr.  McCann  concluded  that  his 
eagle  should  go  to  the  wars.  Ho  took  him  to  Chippewa  Falls,  and  from 
thence  to  Eau  Claire.  The  eagle  being  then  about  two  months  old,  he  sold  it 
for  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  to  Company  C,  Eighth  Wisconsin  Regiment. 
The  eagle  was  soon  sworn  into  service  by  putting  around  his  neck  rer.- 
white-and-blue  ribbons,  and  on  his  breast  a  rosette  of  the  same  colo'S. 
The  company,  commanded  by  Capt.  J.  E.  Perkins,  and  James  McGenr  is, 
the  eagle-bearer,  left  for  Madison  on  the  0th  of  September,  1801.  They 
arrived  at  La  Crosse  in  the  evening  of  the  next  day.  The  fact  that  a  com- 
pany was  coming  with  a  live  eagle  brought  a  groat  crowd  to  *he  wharf.  A 
salute  from  the  First  Wisconsin  Uattery  was  fired,  followed  by  cheers  from 
the  crowd  and  soldiers,  'The  eagb,  the  eagle!  hurrah  for  the  eagle  I' 
Arriving  at  Madison  on  the  8th  of  Sej  tember,  the  company  marc!^ed  direct 
to  Camp  Ilandall,  the  band  plajdng  Yankee  Doodle,  amidt't  great  .  houting 
from  the  Seventh  Regiment  and  part  of  the  Eighth.  The  company  entered 
the  gate  ;  and  the  eagle,  as  by  instinct,  spread  his  wings,  tfjok  hold  of  one  of 
the  small  flags  attached  to  his  perch,  in  his  beak,  and  carried  it  in  that 
position  to  the  colonel's  quarters.  The  excitement  knew  no  boimds  :  shout 
after  shout  was  heard  from  the  crowd.  Deep  and  stronj;  was  the  conviction 
that  the  eag'e  had  a  charmed  life. 

"  In  camp  he  was  visited  by  thousands,  amonor  them  tht  .lighest  digni- 
taries of  civil  and  military  life.  Capt.  Perkins  r.,\raed  him  '  Old  Abo,' in 
honor  of  Abraham  Lincobi.  By  a  vote  of  tiie  company,  the  Eau  Claire 
Badgers,  its  original  name,  was  changed  to  Ea-'  '"  .c  F-  i;  and,  by 
general  expression  of    the  people,  the  Eight*-  ,on^in   ..as  (ailed  the 

Eagle  Regiment. 

"On  the  l'2th  of  October,  1801,  the  regiment  loft  Camp  Randall.  At 
Chicago,  St.  Loui.s,  and  in  fact  everywhere,  'Old  Ago'  attractodgre.it  atten- 
tion. Five  hundred  dollars  were  at  one  time  offered  n  him,  and  at 
another  a  farm  worth  five  thousand  dollars,  but,  of  course,  in  ^aii;.  His 
feathers  are  scattered  all  over  the  Union,  so  great  tiie  demand  for  them. 
'  Old  Abe '  was  seen  in  all  his  glory  when  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  battle. 
At  such  times,  he  was  always  found  in  his  place  at  the  head  of  Company  C. 
In  the  midst  of  the  roaring  of  cannon,  the  crack  of  the  musket,  and  the 


niSTORi    OF  WISCONSIf:. 


469 


roll  of  smoke,  '  Old  Aho '  with  spread  pinions,  would  jump  up  and  down  on 
his  perch,  utterinpf  wild  and  fearful  screams.  The  fiercer  and  louder  the 
storm  of  battle,  the  fiercer,  wilder,  and  louder  the  screams.  '  Old  Abe'  was 
with  the  command  in  nearly  every  action, — aboiit  twenty-two  battles  and 
sixty  skirmishes.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  not  a  color  or  eagle  bearer  of 
tlie  Eighth  was  shot  down.  The  veterans  were  mustered  out  of  United- 
States  service,  at  Mempiiis,  Sept.  10,  ISO  1.  It  was  there  decided  that  '  Old 
Abe  '  should  be  given  to  the  State  of  Wisconsin.  They  arrived  in  Madison 
on  the  22d  ;  and  on  the  26th,  '  Old  Abe '  was  received  by  the  governor  from 
Capt.  Wolf." 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 


ADJUNISTEATION  OF  GOV.  SALOMON. 


Events  of  1803  — Administration  of  Gov.  Salomon  — Legislation —Election  Con- 
test of  ISliS  — Election  of  Jomos  T.  liOwis  as  Governor  — Triumph  of  the 
Republican  Party. 

The  sixteenth  session  of  the  State  legislature  convened  'on 
the  14th  of  January,  1363,  and  adjourned  April  2,  1863, 
holding  a  session  of  seventy-nine  days. 

In  the  senate,  Hon.  Wyman  Spooncr  was  elected  president 
pro  tempore,  Frank  M.  Stewart  chief  clerk,  and  Luther 
Basford  sergeant-at-arms.  In  the  assembly,  J.  Allen  Barber 
was  chosen  speaker,  John  S.  Dean  chief  clerk,  and  A.  M. 
Thomson  sergeant-at-arras.  In  the  senate  there  were  seven- 
teen Republicans  and  fifteen  Democrats,  and  in  the  Assembly 
fifty-tlu-ee  Republicans,  forty-five  Democrats ;  and  two  Inde- 
pendents. On  the  15th,  the  two  houses  met  in  joint  con- 
vention ;  and  Gov.  Salomon  read  his  message,  and  in  opening 
said,  — 

•'  Our  State  has  diiriiicf  tho  past  year,  with  the  single  csception  of  a 
serious  distmhance  in  one  of  the  counties,  enjoyeil  peace  within  its  borders, 
and  been  free  from  the  horrors  of  war  surrounding  us,  and  interrupting  the 
quli  t  of  many  of  our  sister  States  ;  and  our  commerce,  which,  in  coi;imon 
witli  that  of  all  other  States,  has  sulTered  much  foi-  \vars  from  the  eliocts  of 
the  (Inaiieial  and  commercial  crisis  of  IS.'S",  has.  .luriiit;  ili"  past  year,  even 
under  the  disadvant.ic  of  the  war,  been  iivospcrous,  and  is  now  conducted 
on  a  safer  ba.sis  than  it  was  before  1857,  wlien  the  spirit  of  speculation, 
and  an  unsound  and  too  expensive  system  of  credit,  led  to  the  financial 
ruin  of  many." 

He  referred  to  the  enlargement  of  the  Erie  Canal,  and  Fox 
and  Wisconsin   River  Improvement,  and   suggested  that   the 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


46t 


legislati'ire  memorialize  Congress  upon  these  two  important 
national  improvements.  He  gave  the  following  summary  of 
the  financial  condition  of  the  State.  Receipts  into  the  general 
fund  for  18G2,  $GG9,flG1.84,  and  the  disbursements,  $549,- 
746.17 ;  leaving  a  balance  in  the  treasury  of  $119,915.67. 
The  total  productive  fund  of  the  school-fund,  which  on  the 
previous  year  was  $2,458,351.49,  had  been  decreased  to  $238,- 
445.90. 

The  whole  number  of  children  reported  of  school  age  was 
308,056,  and  the  whole  number  of  pupils  attending  during 
the  year  was  191,364.  The  total  school  taxes  raised  was  $703,- 
262.52.  The  State  fund  apportioned  during  the  year  was 
$149,891.  He  recommended  the  Stale  University  to  the  fa- 
vorable consideration  of  the  legislature,  and  remarked,  that 
"  Wisconsin  has  not  acted  the  part  of  a  kind  parent  in 
exacting  payment  for  the  management  of  its  funds,  and  has 
not  shown  that  liberality  and  encouragement  wliich  it  should, 
have  done."  He  lecommended  the  ingrafting  on  the  uni- 
versity a  professorship  of  military  engineering  and  tactics.  He 
congratulated  the  legislature  on  the  prompt  completion  of  the 
west  wing  of  the  State  Capitol,  which  work  had  been  faithfully, 
well,  and  cheaply  done.  The  cost  of  the  west  wing,  including 
all  extras,  amounted  to  $87,591.32,  being  $12,408.68  less  thau 
the  appropriation  made  for  tliat  purpose,  and  $16,042.64  less 
than  the  cost  of  the  east  wing,  which  was  considerably  smaller 
in  size  than  the  west^  wing.  He  further  recommended  the 
continuance  of  work  on  the  north  and  south  wings. 

He  reported  that  he  had  visited  the  Institution  for  the  Blind, 
and  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institution,  both  of  which  were  in 
excellent  condition,  and  well  niiiuaged,  and  that  the  appropria- 
tions asked  for  the  ensuing  y«ar  were  reasonable,  and  such  as 
were  absolutely  necessary  for  their  maintenance.  The  number 
of  pupils  in  the  former  institution  was  <it\y,  a  larger  number 
than  ever  before  in  one  year.  At  tiio  lailer  institution,  the 
number  of  pu[)ils  in  attendauco  was  eighty-two. 

The  west  wing  of  the  Hospital  for  the  Insane  was  completed 
about  the  1st  of  June  in  1862,  giving  much  needed  additional 
room.  Un  to  the  1st  of  October,  1862,  234  patients  had  been 
received,  of  wliich  forty-one  had  recovered,  fifteen  had  been 


462  nrsTOKY  of  w/scossry. 

di^vhiXY^i'd  iin[)rovc'(l,  (Ifteen  weio  uuiinpi'ovcil,  and  tlurty-two 
had  died. 

Tlic  State;  Refiii'in  Scliool  rcpoiiiid  an  attendanco  of  sovonty- 
two  inmates  duriiiLf  llit;  last  fiscal  yeai'  ;  and  the  governor 
recommended  a  reiioal  of  tiio  existinij;  law,  taxing  uonnties 
with  the  support  of  liie  iinnates.  Iff  also  reconinionded  that 
the  necessary  a[)propi'iations  be  made  for  tlie  sn[)port  of  the 
school  during  that  year.  A  substantial  building  of  stone  had 
been  put  up  at  the  State-prison  for  the  aceonnnodation  of 
female  convicts,  and  a  duralde  wall  around  llu;  femab;  prison- 
grounds.  Tiie  total  number  of  convicts  conlined  during  the 
year,  from  Jan.  G  to  Oct.  1,  LSiJ:!,  was  one  hundred  and 
seventy-three,  of  winch  rinv-s(>ven  had  been  disebarged,  leav- 
ing one  hundred  and  sixteen  in  the  jirison  at  the  last-named 
date,  of  whom  one  hundred  and  twelve  were  males,  and  four 
females. 

The  goveinor  gives  a  summary  of  the  transactions  of  the 
war-fund,  viz.,  — 

Balance  on  hand  IX-x;.  .'U,  ISO! SJO.227.09 

lleoeipts 7.'j7.70O.o:) 

Total  amount S807.!)-'S_i):( 

Disbursements 700.!li.'i).7J 

Balance  in  treasury  Dec.  31,  1802 §lU,'Jl»S.:i,j 

Tlie  message  refers  at  length  to  mattei's  connected  with  the 
military  history  of  tbe  State,  and  jiays  a  proper  tribute  to  the 
several  aid  societies,  mostly  the  women  of  the  State,  who  have 
incessantly  labored  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers.  It  also  gives  the  amount  allotted  by  our 
soldiers  in  the  field,  through  the  allotment  commissioners,  up  to 
Dec.  15,  to  be  iSl,?^;!,^!-').!:)^. 

A  large  number  of  the  bills  passed  by  the  legislature  were 
designeil  for  the  benefit  of  soldiers  and  their  families,  and  for 
providing  means  therefor.  The  following  were  the  most  im- 
portant bills  of  a  military  ebaracter. 

To  estalilish  the  manner  of  commencing  and  [irosecuting 
suits  against  persons  in  the  military  service  ;  to  appropriate 
funds  for  damage  done   by  rioters   iu   Ozaukee  County ;    to 


464 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


amend  the  act  grftnting  soldiers  in  the  field  the  right  of 
suflfrage  ;  to  authorize  tlie  levy  of  a  State  tax  of  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars  for  the  support  of  families  of  volunteers  ;  to 
appro[)riate  to  the  govcinor  five  thousand  dollars  for  con- 
tingent expenses,  and  three  thousand  dollars  for  a  military 
contingent  fund ;  authorizing  the  governor  to  furnish  tour- 
niquets for  the  use  of  volunteers ;  to  authorize  the  issue  and 
sale  of  bonds  for  three  hundred  thousand  dollars ;  to  amend 
the  act  granting  aid  to  families  of  volunteers,  defining  more 
fully  the  rights  of  families  ;  to  amend  the  act  suspending  sales 
of  mortgaged  lands  to  the  State  or  held  by  volunteers,  extend- 
ing the  time  of  application  to  May  30,  1863  ;  to  give  volun- 
teers the  right  to  redeem  lands  sold  for  taxes  within  two  years 
from  April  1,  1863  ;  to  authorize  the  governor  to  take  care  of 
the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  of  the  Wisconsin  volunteers, 
and  appropriating  fifteen  thousand  dollars  for  tiiat  purpose  ; 
to  purchase  flags  to  replace  flags  of  regiments  in  the  field, 
injured  or  destroyed  in  battle  ;  to  extend  volunteer  aid  to 
families  for  six  months  after  the  death  of  the  soldier ;  to 
provide  for  the  collection  of  subscriptions  made  to  pay  bounties 
to  volunteers,  and  the  support  of  families  of  volunteers;  a 
joint  resolution  adopted  asking  for  the  promotion  of  Cols.  J. 
C.  Starkweather  and  George  E.  Bryant  to  brigadier-generals ; 
a  memorial  asking  for  the  establishment  of  a  military  hospital 
in  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  for  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  ;  and 
a  multitude  of  special  acts  authorizing  towns  to  raise  bounties 
for  volunteers.  In  addition  to  the  above  bills,  some  sixty-two 
laws  were  passed  amending  general  laws,  twenty-eight  amend- 
ing private  and  local  laws,  and  nineteen  amending  the  Revised 
Statutes  ;  a  bill  to  provide  for  continuing  the  work  on  the 
State  Capitol,  and  sixty-three  thousand  dollars  appropriated  to 
the  erection  of  the  foundation  of  the  south  wing,  and  of  the 
rotunda  to  the  top  of  the  water-table,  and  the  erection  and 
complelion  of  the  north  wing  ;  to  codify  the  school  laws  of 
the  State  ;  twenty-three  acts  incorporating  and  amending  rail- 
road charters ;  and  a  largo  number  of  ap -ropriatiou  bills. 

On  the  22d  of  January,  the  legislature  in  joint  convention 
proceeded  to  vote  for  a  United  States  senator  to  succeed  Hon. 
James  R.  Doolittle,  whose  term  of   oflQco  expired  March  4, 


niSTORT  OF   WISCONaiK. 


465 


18G4.  Hon.  J.  R.  Doolittlo  recoivcd  seventy-three  votes  ;  and 
Edward  G.  Ryan,  fifty-seven  votes.  The  former  was  declared 
elected ;  and,  on  the  13lh  of  February,  the  jnint  convention 
met  to  elect  four  regents  of  the  State  University  in  place  of 
J.  G.  McMynn,  Carl  Schurz,  II.  A.  Tcnney,  and  Levi  B.  Vilas, 
whose  term  of  oflife  had  expired ;  and  Rev.  George  B.  Eastman, 
Dennison  Worthington,  Henry  D.  Barron,  and  Levi  B.  Vilas 
were  declared  elected. 

The  Madison  *'  State  Journal,"  referring  to  the  session, 
says,— 

"  Tho  lejrislature  adjourns,  leaving  a  record  that  will  compare  favorably 
with  any  of  :t3  predocessora.  The  most  importiiut  moasiires  tliat  have  beeu 
enacted  are  the  acts  organizing  tho  militia  of  the  .State  ;  the  repeal,  of  the 
State  Rights  rosolutions  of  IS.JO  ;  the  acts  authorizing  tho  investment  of 
the  school-fund  in  any  bonds  issued  by  the  State,  and  providing  for  the 
continuation  of  the  work  on  the  State  Capitol ;  tho  compilation  of  the 
school  laws  ;  and  tlie  issuing  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  in 
bonds  for  the  volunteer  family  aid  fund.  In  point  of  ability,  it  exceeded 
the  average  standard;  and,  as  a  general  rule,  it  has  manifested  a  disposition 
to  retrench  public  expenditures  and  to  lighten  the  burdens  of  taxation." 

The  building  commissioners  of  tho  State,  agreeably  to  the 
law  providing  for  continuing  work  on  the  Capitol  building, 
advertised  for  proposals  for  doing  said  work.  On  the  9th  of 
May,  the  bids  were  opened,  and  the  contract  awarded  to  James 
Livesey,  for  $50,855,  as  tho  lowest  bidder.  The  work  of  demol- 
ishing the  old  Capitol  was  soon  commenced ;  and  the  building 
which  had  been  the  scene  of  so  many  interesting  events  in  the 
early  historj-  of  the  Territory  was  soon  brought  to  the  ground. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year,  some  interest  was  taken  in  the 
election  of  a  chief  justice  of  the  supreme  court  to  fill  the 
place  of  Hon.  Luther  S.  Dixon,  whose  term  of  office  was  soon 
to  expire.  In  February,  a  call,  signed  by  many  prominent 
attorneys,  was  extended  to  Judge  Dixon  to  consent  to  Rave  his 
name  used  as  a  candidate  for  re-election.  To  this  call,  Judge 
Dixon  consented  to  run  as  an  Independent  candidate.  At  a 
meeting  of  the  Democratic  Convention,  called  to  nominate  a 
candidate  for  that  ofTicc,  lion.  Montgomery  M.  Cotbren  received 
the  nomination.  At  the  election  in  April,  Judge  Dixon  was 
re-elected  by  a  majority  of  about  four  thousand,  including  the 
vote  of  the  soldiers  in  the  field  and  camp. 


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466 


BISTORT  OF  WISCOmW. 


The  question  as  to  the  legality  and  constitutionality  of  the 
vote  of  soldiers  while  in  the  field,  and  of  the  draft,  was 
brought  before  the  supreme  court,  which  court  decided  the 
draft  constitutional,  as  well  as  the  right  of  soldiers  to  the 
elective  franchise,  declaring,  also,  that  those  who  held  office 
were  subject  to  military  duty. 

The  Democratic  State  Convention  for  the  nomination  of 
State  oflBcers  met  on  the  6th  of  August,  Hon.  S.  Orton,  presi- 
dent. The  following  ticket  was  nominated :  governor,  Henry 
L.  Palmer ;  lieutenant-governor,  Nelson  Dewey ;  secretary  of 
State,  Emil  Rothe ;  state  treasurer,  Charles  S.  Benton ;  attorney- 
general,  Eleazar  Wakeley ;  bank  comptroller,  H.  S.  P'erre- 
pont ;  state  superintendent,  Volney  French ;  state-prison  com- 
missioner, John  R.  Bohan. 

At  the  fall  elections  of  1862,  James  S.  Brown,  Ithamar  C. 
Sloan,  Amasa  Cobb,  Charles  A.  Eklredge,  Ezra  Wheeler,  and 
Walter  D.  Mclndoe  were  elected  members  of  Congress  for  two 
years,  from  March  4,  1863. 

The  Union  Republican  Convention  for  the  nomination  of 
State  officers  convened  Aug.  19,  when  the  following  persons 
were  put  in  nomination :  governor,  James  T.  Lewis ;  lieu- 
tenant-governor, Wyman  Spooner ;  secretary  of  state,  Lucius 
Fairchild ;  state  treasurer,  Samuel  D.  Hastings ;  attorney- 
general,  Winfield  Smith  ;  state  superintendent,  Josiah  L.  Pick- 
ard ;  bank  comptroller,  William  H.  Ramsay ;  state-prison 
commissioner,  Henry  Cordier. 

At  the  election  held  in  November,  James  T.  Lewis  received 
72,717  votes  for  governor,  and  Henry  L.  Palmer,  49,053.  A 
number  of  votes  for  both  candidates  were  rejected  for  infor- 
malities. The  whole  Union  Republican  ticket  was  elected.  At 
the  same  election  for  members  of  the  legislature,  in  the  senate 
for  1864  the  party  strength  was,  RepubUcan  and  Union, 
twenty-two ;  Democrats,  eleven :  in  the  assembly,  Republioau 
and  Union,  seventy-one ;  Democrats,  twenty-nine. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 


WISCONSIN  S  WAB  RECORD. 


Events  of  1803 — Regimental  History  —  Progress  of  the  War  —  Triumphs  and 
Defeats — Echoes  from  the  Battle-FlelUs  — Bravery  of  Wisconsin  Soldiers. 

The  history  of  the  organization,  equipment,  and  subsequent 
events  connected  with  the  vohinteer  regiments  of  this  State, 
has  been  given  to  the  thirty-first  day  of  December,  1862.  At 
that  date,  there  had  been  organized  and  sent  into  the  government 
service  thirty-one  regiments  of  infantry  (exclusive-  of  the  old 
first  three-months'  men),  three  regiments  and  one  company  of 
cavalry,  twelve  batteries  of  light  artillery,  one  battery  of 
heavy  artillery,  and  one  company  of  sharpshooters,  connected 
with  and  known  as  Company  G  of  Berdau's  Regiment. 

There  were  remaining  in  the  State  at  that  date,  yet  incom- 
pletfe,  three  regiments  of  infantry  ;  to  wit,  the  Twenty-seventh, 
Thirty-first,  and  Thirty-fourth  Volunteers,  and  the  Thirty- 
fourth  drafted  militia  (nine  months'  men).  The  first  two  men- 
tioned Avould  have  been  completed,  and  have  gone  from  the 
State,  before  that  date,  if  the  time  for  volunteering  could  have 
been  extended  a  few  weeks.  The  Thirty-first  left  the  State 
on  the  1st  of  March,  1863,  under  orders  for  Columbus,  Ky.,  for 
which  place,  also,  the  T'venty-seventh  followed,  on  the  16th 
of  said  month.  The  Thirty-Fourth  was  formed  exclusively  of 
conscripts  obtained  from  the  draft  ordered  from  the  war  de- 
partment, Aug.  4,  1862,  and  made  by  the  State  authorities  in 
conformity  to  General  Orders.  Col.  Fritz  Anneke  was  commis- 
sioned and  assigned  to  this  regiment.  The  regiment,  when  com- 
pleted, numbered  961  men,  and  left  the  State  on  the  24th  of 
January,  for  Columbus,  Ky.  "^Ve  term  of  service  of  this  regi- 
ment expired  on  the  17  th  of  August,  at  which  time  it  returned,^ 

487 


408 


msTonr  of  wisco.vsin. 


and  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  on  the  8th  c'  September. 
No  additional  regiments  to  tliose  above  enumfratcd  were  raised 
during  the  year  1803. 

By  consent  of  Gen.  BaiTV,  inspector  of  artillery  of  United 
States  Army,  Capt.  C.  C.  Messerve  was  authorized  to  raise  a 
battalion  of  heavy  artillery,  to  consist  of  four  companies  from 
this  State,  to  constitute  the  basis.  Batteries  B,  C,  and  D  were 
soon  raised  and  mustered  into  service,  constituting  the  battal- 
ion. Company  B  left  the  State  in  October,  with  orders  to 
report  at  Louisville,  Ky.  Companies  C  and  D  were  still  in 
camp  at  Milwaukee,  awaiting  orders,  at  the  close  of  1868. 

Authority  was  also  given  for  raising  another,  the  Thirteenth 
Battery  of  Light  Artillerj' ;  and  recruiting  commissions  issued 
accordingly.  But  slow  progress  was  made  ;  and,  at  the  close  of 
1863,  some  ninety  men  oidy  were  mustered  in  under  a  first 
lieutenant. 

Upon  the  return  of  the  Thirty-fourth  Regiment  (nine 
moil' lis'  men),  authority  was  given  to  recruit  the  Tliirty-fifth 
Regiment,  and  recruiting  appointments  issued.  On  the  1st  of 
November,  some  two  hundred  men  were  enlisted. 

The  adjutant-general,  in  his  report-,  states  that  the  total 
number  of  troops  furnished  the  General  Government  from  this 
State,  and  mustered  into  the  service,  from  the  commencement 
of  the  war  to  the  1st  of  November,  1863,  exclusive  of  t"hreo 
months'  regiments  (for  which  the  State  received  no  credit 
numerically),  was  as  follows :  total  strength  of  regiments  and 
batteries  at  departure  from  the  State,  38,878  ;  total  number 
of  recruits  since  mustered,  2,897 ;  total,  41,775.  Or  less  nine 
months'  militia,  961 ;  men  reduced  to  three  years'  basis,  721 ; 
total  volunteers  on  a  three-years'  basis,  41,0o4.  The  military 
officers  of  the  State,  on  the  opening  of  the  year  1863,  were  as 
follows :  — 

His  Excellency,  Edwaud  Salomon,  Governor  and  Commander-in-Chief. 

Briij.-Gen.  Augustus  GAYi.or.D,  Adjuiant-Generat. 

Col.  S.  Nye  Giuus,  AnKiitant  AdJiiUinl-Gcnernt. 

Brig.-Gen.  Natiiaxiix  F.  Luxd,  Qwirliirmnsler-General, 

brig. -Gen.  E.  B.  Wolcjtt,  Surgeon-General. 

Col.  WiLijAM  H.  Watsox,  Military  Secretary, 

The  following  is  a  history  of  the  regiments  in  detail,  from 


470 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


the  close  of  18G2,  when  they  were  droppcl  in  the  chapter  pre- 
ceding the  last.  The  First  Regiment,  at  the  close  of  the  year 
1862,  was  encamped  at  Murfrecsborough,  Tenn.  On  the  9th  of 
January,  18G3,  three  corps  were  organized  in  the  ai-rny,  —  the 
Fourteenth,  Gen.  Thomas;  the  Twentieth,  Gen.  McCook; 
Twenty-First,  Gen.  Crittenden.  Rousseau's  division  was  num- 
bered the  first  in  the  Fourteenth  Corps ;  and  Starkweather's 
brigade  numbered  third  in  the  division,  but  was  changed  co 
second  on  the  28th  of  April. 

Col.  Starkweather,  in  January,  returned  the  flag  of  the  First 
to  Gov.  Salomon.  It  was  presented  to  the  regiment  by  Gov. 
Randall  in  1861,  and  now  stands  in  its  place,  with  other  State 
flags  used  in  the  Rebellion,  in  a  case  in  the  rooms  of  the  State 
Historical  Society  at  Madison. 

On  the  2-4th  of  June,  the  First  Wisconsin,  with  the  brigade 
and  division,  took  part  in  Rosecrans'  movement  against  Gen. 
Bragg,  driving  his  troops  from  Hoover's  Gap,  turning  his 
position  at  TuUahoma,  and  following  his  fleeting  forces  to  the 
foot  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  permitting  him  to  retire  to 
Chattanooga,  while  the  victorious  army  of  Rosecrans  congre- 
gated around  Cowan's  Station  on  the  Nashville  and  Chat- 
tanooga Railroad,  where  a  halt  was  made  in  order  t)  establish 
railroad  connnunications,  and  pre[)aro  for  a  future  demonstra- 
tion. On  the  17th  of  July,  Col.  Starkweather  was  appointed 
brigadier-general,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service  as  colonel 
of  the  First  Wisconsin.  The  next  move  of  Gen.  Rosecrans 
against  the  enemy  commenced  on  the  2d  of  Sei)tember,  when 
the  Fourteenth  Corps,  to  whicii  Gen.  Starkwcatlier's  brigade 
belonged,  began  its  march  across  the  Tennessee  River,  and 
over  the  mountains,  into  the  vicinity  of  Trenton,  Ga.,  where 
it  arrived  on  the  10th,  and  camped  near  Stevens's  Gap.  On  the 
next  day,  the  brigade  with  the  division  was  ordered  forward  to 
the  support  of  Gen.  Negley's  division,  about  five  miles  in 
advance  near  Dug  Gap.  Skirmishing  as  they  advanced,  the 
brigade  attained  a  position  between  Negley's  troops,  and  the 
enemy  under  a  severe  fire.  This  position  they  gallantly  held, 
resisting  tlio  repeated  efforts  of  tlie  enemy  to  dislodge  them, 
until  tliree  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  a  retrograde  move- 
iiuent  commenced ;  and  the  brigade  was  ordered  to  cover  the 


niSTORT  OF  WlSCOffSm. 


471 


retreat.  This  duty  was  adrairablj'  performed ;  Gen.  Stark- 
weather succeeding  in  resisting  all  attempts  of  the  enemy  to 
break  his  lines,  or  drive  in  his  skirmishers,  and  successfully 
covering  the  retreat  of  Gen.  Negley's  force,  and  securing  the 
safety  of  his  own  command,  with  only  the  loss  of  two  killed. 
One  of  thom,  however,  Lieut.  R.  J.  Nickles,  was  a  serious  loss 
to  Gen  Starkweather,  being  a  member  of  hia  staff,  and  highly 
esteemed  by  him. 

The  brigade  bivouacked  in  line  of  battle  near  Stevens's  Gap, 
where  they  remained  until  the  17th,  when  the  division  moved 
to  Owen's  Gap,  and  next  day  to  Crawfish  Spring,  and  on  the 
!  9th  took  position  on  the  battle-field  of  Chickamauga. 

In  this  battle  the  First  Wisconsin,  with  the  brigade,  went  to 
the  relief  of  Col.  Croxton  of  Branman's  division,  who  was  out 
of  ammunition,  and  took  position  in  front,  where  they  were 
attacked  by  an  overwhelming  force  of  the  enemy,  who  ap- 
proached on  the  right  flank,  and  compelled  a  change  in  the 
position  of  the  brigade.  Here  the  enemy  struck  the  line  on. 
the  right  and  from  with  such  overwhelming  force  as  to 
compel  the  command  to  retire  to  a  ridge  directly  in  the  rear, 
leaving  a  part  of  their  artillery.  The  enemy  was  attacked  on 
the  rear  and  flank,  and  driven  from  the  field ;  and  the  missing 
guns  were  recovered.  The  brigade  closed  on  the  fii-st  and 
third  brigades  of  Baird's  division,  to  tlie  support  of  Gen.  John- 
son's division.  Being  ordered  to  the  support  of  the  first  line 
in  front,  whose  ammunition  was  fiiiling,  the  movement  of  the 
brigades  of  the  division  in  the  darkness  became  confused. 
The  darkness  was  intense  ;  and,  by  mistake,  one  of  the  brigades 
opened  fire  on  Starkweather's  brigade  from  the  rear  and  flank, 
which  occasioned  a  portion  of  Joliuson's  force  to  fire  into  their 
right,  mistaking  them  for  the  enemy.  The  brigade  was  there- 
fore compelled  to  retire  in  order  to  re-form,  which  was  done  ; 
and  it  bivouacked  in  an  open  field  near  Gen.  Johnson's  train. 
On  the  morning  of  the  20th,  the  command  moved  to  a  ridge, 
and  took  position,  forming  two  lines,  and  throwing  up  barri- 
cades of  trees  in  front  of  each  line,  with  the  artillery  in  the 
centre  and  on  the  left,  and  covered  on  the  right  by  an  Iowa 
batter)'.  This  position  was  held  by  the  brigade  nearly  all  day, 
until  peremntory  orders  were  received  to  fall  back  as  weU  as 


472 


nrSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


possible.  In  doing  so,  the  second  lino  retired  first.  Just  as 
this  was  discovered  by  the  first  line,  the  enemy  charged  in 
front  with  bayonet,  supported  by  his  batteries,  which  occasioned 
the  first  line  to  give  way  ;  and  a  portion  only  rallied  at  a  point 
where  Gen.  Willich's  command  rested,  about  sunset.  From 
there,  the  command  moved  to  Chattanooga.  On  nearing  the 
town,  the  order  was  countermanded  ;  and  a  position  was  re- 
assigned the  brigade  in  front,  where  it  remained  until  the  2:id, 
wlion,  with  the  balance  of  the  division,  it  was  ordered  to  cover 
the  retreat  of  the  army  to  Chattanooga,  going  into  bivouao 
near  that  place. 

The  casualties  of  the  First  Regiment  in  the  battles  of 
Dug  Gap  and  Chicakmauga,  as  reported  officially,  are,  killed,  or 
died  of  wounds,  thirty-four  ;  wounded,  seventy-nine.  Seventy- 
six  were  missing,  mostly  taken  prisoners.  The  number  of 
officers  killed  waa  one-seventh  of  all  killed  and  wounded  in  the 
Fourteenth  Army  Corps. 

Gen.  Starkweather  was  wounded  in  the  leg  by  a  piece  of  a 
shell,  but  remained  in  command  of  the  brigade  until  the  army 
retired  into  Chattanooga. 

In  the  movement  on  Mission  Ridge,  on  the  25th  of  Novem- 
ber, the  brigade  was  held  as  a  reserve,  and  joined  in  the  pursuit 
of  tlie  flying  enemy  as  far  as  Stevens's  Cap,  when  they  returned 
to  Chattanooga.  Late  in  1803,  about  four  hundred  drafted 
soldiers  were  assigned  to  the  regiment,  and  about  seventy 
recruits  joined  it  early  in  1804.  But  these  did  not  increase  the 
aggregate  of  the  regiment  sufficiently  to  warrant  the  muster 
of  a  colonel ;  and,  consequently,  it  remained  under  the  command 
of  Lieut.-Col.  Bingham,  though  he  was  commissioned  as  a 
colonel. 

The  Second  Regiment,  as  last  noticed,  was  at  Falmouth,  Va. 
In  the  winter  of  1803,  several  changes  were  made  in  the  officers 
and  arrangements  in  connection  with  the  Iron  Brigade ;  and 
it  was  now  attached  to  the  first  division  of  Gen.  Wadsworth, 
and  First  Army  Corps,  Gen.  Reynolds.  They  proceeded  to 
Fredericksburg,  and  opposite  the  enemy's  pickets  across  the 
river,  where,  in  twenty  minutes,  they  possessed  the  enemy's 
works  with  two  hundred  prisoners.  Twenty-nine  of  the 
enemy  were   also  killed.     Tliis  regiment  and    the    brigade 


nrsTonr  of  wtscons/s. 


473 


took  an  active  part  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  fought 
nobly.  Our  space  forbids  giving  the  movements  anil  details  of 
this  battle  ;  and  it  is  only  necessary  to  say  that  the  regiment 
lost,  by  killed  and  died  of  wounds,  fort3--four ;  wounded,  a  hun- 
di'cd  and  tliirty-eight ;  and  fifty-three  missiiiLj,  most  of  whom 
were  taken  prisoners.  The  regiment  was  in  active  service 
all  the  summer  of  18G.3.  In  December,  forty  boldicrs  re- 
enlisted,  and  came  home  on  veteran  furlough. 

The  Third  Regiment,  in  January,  18G3  encamped  at  Stafford 
Court  House.  Lieut.-Col.  Hawley  was  promoted  to  the  com- 
mand in  March,  and  other  changes  made.  The  regiment  took 
part  in  the  operations  of  Gen.  Hooker  near  Chancellorsville  ; 
and,  in  the  battles  that  took  place  from  April  27  to  May  0, 
they  had  nineteen  killed  or  died  of  wounds,  and  seventy-four 
wounded.  On  the  Gth  of  June,  the  regiment  was  detached  to 
accompany  a  cavalry  expedition  up  the  Rappahannock,  and, 
as  skirmishers  and  sharpshooters,  contributed  to  the  victory 
gained  by  our  troops ;  in  which  engagement  the  regiment  had 
two  killed,  and  fourteen  wounded.  They  passed  the  summer 
and  fall  in  railroad  guard-duty,  picket-duty,  &o.,  at  various' 
points  in  Tennessee.  Being  transferred  to  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  they  proceeded  to  Columbus,  O.,  thence  to 
Stevenson,  Ala.,  where  they  arrived  Oct.  3.  A  sufficient 
number  having  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  the  veteran  Third,  on 
the  2oth,  left  for  Wisconsin  on  furlough.  The  Fourth  Regi- 
ment took  an  active  part  in  the  assault  on  the  enemy's  works 
at  Port  Hudson,  losing  thirty-nine  killed,  seventy  wounded, 
and  thirt3--one  missing.  After  this  engagement,  the  regiment 
remained  in  the  vicinity  of  J'ort  Hudson,  while  Gen.  Banks  was 
perfecting  a  plan  for  the  capture  of  that  place.  On  the  1st  of 
September,  18():3,  the  regiment  was  changed  to  a  cavalry  regi- 
ment, known  as  the  Fourth  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  of  which  Frede- 
rick A.  Boardmau  was  colonel.  After  this  organiiation,  the 
Fourth  was  engaged  in  scouting,  picketing,  and  foraging  in  the 
viciuity  of  Baton  Rouge ;  and,  on  one  occasion,  a  small  party 
of  them  captured  seventeen  of  the  enemj^  and,  on  another 
occasion,  seized  large  quantities  of  goods  intended  for  the 
enemy,  capturing  eighty-five  rebel  soldiers,  with  a  loss  to 
themselves  of  eight  men  taken  prisoners. 


474 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


TIio  Fifth  RcLjinicnt  wont  into  winter-quarters  at  White-oak 
Ciiuroh,  near  IJuilu  I'luin ;  and  Col.  Aniasa  Cobb,  beinf;  eh^cteil 
to  Congress,  resigned,  and  Lieut.  Tliomas  S.  Allen  of  the 
Second  Regiment  was  made  colonel.  This  regiment  performed 
some  daring  deeds  under  Col.  Allen,  taking  the  Wasiiington 
Battery  of  New  Orleans,  whose  commander  surrendered  his 
sword  to  the  colonel,  complimenting  him  for  his  daring  and 
the  bravery  of  his  men.  In  this  engagement,  the  Fifth  lost 
three  commissioned  officers  and  forty-one  enlisted  men  killed 
or  mortally  wounded,  and  eight  commissioned  officers  and 
eighty-four  enlisted  men  wounded,  and  twenty-tiirce  missing, 
out  of  a  force  of  four  hundred  men.  The  regiment  also  par- 
ticipated in  the  charge  on  the  enemy's  works  at  Ilappahannock 
Station,  in  which  it  lost  twelve  killed  and  tliirty-two  wounded. 
Tiie  regiment  returned  to  winter-quarters  at  Brandy  Station, 
where  it  remained  until  the  opening  of  the  campaign  of  18(34. 

The  Sixth  Regiment  was  a  part  of  the  Iron  Brigade,  of 
which  the  Second,  Seventh,  and  Nineteenth  Indiana  composed 
tlie  remainder.  The  history  of  this  regiment  is  identical  with 
that  of  the  Second,  and  need  not  be  repeated.  The  Seventh 
Regiment  being  a  part  of  the  brigade,  its  history  for  18G3  has 
been  referred  to.  These  regiments,  wlien  their  time  expired, 
returned  lo  AViscon^in,  re-cnlistod,  and  returned  to  tiie  field. 

Tiie  Eighth  Regiment,  in  January,  l8Go,  moved  from  La 
Grange,  iiy  way  of  Corinth,  to  Gcrmantown,  Tenn.,  where 
tliey  were  employed  in  building  fortifications,  and  guard-duty, 
until  March  11,  when  they  marched  to  Mempliis,  and  joined 
tlie  forces  intended  by  Gen.  Grant  to  operate  against  Vicks- 
burg,  which  were  being  concentrated  near  Helena.  Licut.- 
Col.  Robbins  was  commissioned  as  colonel  in  the  place  of  Col. 
Murphy  dismissed.  The  regiment  with  others  attacked  the 
enemy,  and,  on  the  14tli  of  iNIay,  took  possession  of  Jackson,  the 
capital  of  Mississippi.  They  then  proceeded  to  Walnut  Hills, 
forming  the  extreme  right  of  t)ie  investing  force  around  Vicks- 
burg.  Here  tliey  took  a  part  in  the  assault  on  the  enemy's 
Avorks.  The  regiment  participated  in  manj'  slcirmishcs  with 
some  loss,  and,  on  the  2Gth  of  September,  moved  to  Black 
River  Bridge,  and  went  into  camp,  and  remained  until  Oct.  13. 
They  subsequently  proceeded  to  Vicksburg,  to  Memphis  and 


476 


niSTOIiY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Lii  Ginnso.  Tenn.,  and  encamped.  At  tliis  place  and  Salis- 
l)ury,  the  regiment  was  stationcfl  until  January,  1804,  engaged 
iu  gnard-diity,  skinuisiiing,  and  in  expeditions  towards  Poca- 
hontas, against  the  forces  of  tlio  rel)el  Forrest. 

The  Kinth  Regiment,  in  Deceml)er,  18(i'2,  was  near  Prairio 
rjrovo.  Ark.,  but  nob  in  time  to  participate  in  the  battle.  On 
the  10th  f)f  Deccmlier,  they  returned  to  Rhea's  Mills.  A  raid 
was  mailo  from  tliere  on  Van  Huren  ;  the  regiment  marching 
sixty  ni'li' ••  in  two  days,  and  returning  to  Rhea's  Mills.  From 
llii.-*  tiiui,  till  Feb.  20,  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  marching 
to  various  points,  performing  a  sort  of  patrol  duty,  when  they 
went  into  winter-tiuarters  at  Stahl's  Creek,  thirty-six  miles 
west  of  Springfiehl,  Mo.  Tiie  regiment  was  stationed  at 
different  points  in  Missouri,  engaged  in  guard-duty,  and  on 
foraging  parlies  in  the  vicinity  of  RoUa  and  Springfield,  until 
July  8.  On  that  day  they  moved  by  railroad  to  St.  l^ouis, 
where  they  were  engaged  in  guard-duty  until  the  12th  of  Sep- 
tember, 180:],  where  they  I'cmained  until  the  lOiii  of  October. 
They  then  marched  to  Little  Rock,  and  went  into  winter- 
quarters  about  the  1st  of  November. 

The  Tenth  Regiment,  on  the  oth  of  January,  1803,  was 
encamped  at  Murfreesborough.  A  number  of  changes  took 
place  in  the  regiment.  Col.  Mc.Mynn  resigned  on  the  10th 
of  June,  wliich  left  place  for  the  jiromotion  of  the  junior 
officers.  On  June  24,  the  regiment  joined  in  the  advance  of 
Gen.  RosceranS'  array  against  Gen.  Bragg  at  Tullahoma,  but 
was  not  seriously  engaged  with  the  rebels,  and,  on  the  14th  of 
July,  went  into  camp  at  Cowan's  Station.  In  August  they 
removed  to  Anderson,  and  on  the  2d  of  September  commenced 
their  march  into  Georgia,  and,  on  the  11th,  took  part  in  the 
movement  to  assist  Gen.  Negley  at  Dug  Gap.  On  the  19th 
of  September,  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  the  regiment 
advanced  to  the  left  of  the  line,  and  moved  forward  in  two 
lines  of  battle,  about  half  a  mile,  and  drove  the  enemy  before 
them,  capturing  a  immber  of  prisonera.  On  the  20th,  two 
attacks  were  made,  in  which  they  were  unsuccessful,  not  being 
properly  supported;  and  about  all  of  the  regiment  on  the  field 
were  captured,  —  twelve  officers  and  one  hundred  and  eleven 
men.     Lieut.-Col.  Ely,  commanding  the  regiment,  was  mortally 


HIBTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


477 


TTOunrled.  On  the  2l8t,  the  regiment  numbered  three  officers 
und  twenty-six  men.  They  moved  to  the  front,  formed  in  line, 
and  on  the  -2d  returned  to  Cimttanooga,  Although  it  was 
obliged  to  surrender,  not  a  particle  of  censure  can  be  attributed 
to  it.  The  casualties,  as  reported  by  C'apt.  Roby,  were  twenty- 
eight  killed,  thirtj'-oight  wounded,  and  oiii  hundred  and 
twenty-one  missing. 

The  remnant  of  this  gallant  regiment  re.  aiued  in  camp  at 
Chattanooga,  employed  in  guard-duty,  and  laboi  "n  the  fortifi- 
cations, until  the  famous  assault  ou  Mission  Ridge,  where  it 
acted  as  a  support  to  Loomis's  Battery,  after  which  it  returned 
to  camp  at  Chattanooga,  iind  remained  during;'  the  winter. 

The  Eleventh  Regiment,  which  had  been  in  camp  at  Middle- 
brook,  Mo.,  during  the  winter  of  18G2-G3,  was  ordered  to  join 
the  forces  of  Gen.  Grant,  who  was  concentrating  his  forces  at 
Helena,  preliminary  to  the  attack  on  Vicksburg.  Marching  to 
St.  Genevieve,  the  regiment  eml)arked  with  the  rest  of  the 
brigade,  and  proceeded  to  Memphis,  thenco  to  Helena,  and,  on 
22d  of  March,  landed  at  Milliken's  Bend,  a  few  miles  above 
Vicksburg.  Taking  part  with  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps, 
across  the  river,  it  arrived  at  Bruinsburg,  April  80,  and  pro- 
ceeded onwarcj  to  where  the  enemy  were  found  in  force,  near 
Magnolia  Church,  four  miles  from  Fort  Gibson.  In  this 
engagement,  the  brigade  occufjied  in  the  centre  ;  and  the  fight 
became  severe.  They  advanced  close  to  the  enemy's  line,  and 
opened  fire  with  such  rapidit)'  and  precision,  that  tiie  rebels 
soon  broke  and  fled.  They  soon,  however,  formed  again,  and 
another  engagement  took  i)lace ;  and  the  rebels  were  again 
driven  from  the  field.  The  commamlcr  of  the  brigade  compli- 
mented the  Eleventh  on  their  bravery  on  these  occasions. 
The  casualties  reported  were  six  killed  and  fifteen  wounded. 
On  the  2d  of  May,  the  enemy  having  evacuated  Grand  Gulf, 
the  second  brigade  was  sent  to  that  place.  At  the  battle  of 
Black  River  Bridge,  the  Eleventh  took  an  active  part,  and 
alone  took  more  than  one  thousand  prisoners.  In  this  en- 
gagement, three  were  killed,  and  eight  wounded.  Among  the 
former  was  Capt.  D.  E.  Hough  of  Company  A. 

Moving  from  the  Bridge  the  next  day,  the  Eleventh  and  the 
brigade  took  its  position  in  the  trenches  before  Vicksbui-g.    In 


478 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


the  assault  on  May  22,  thircy-eight  were  killed,  and  sixty-nine 
wounded.  The  regiment  was  engaged  on  guard  and  fatigue 
duty  until  July  2,  when  they  returned  to  Black  River  Bridge. 
On  the  3d  of  July,  the  city  surrendered.  The  Eleventh,  with 
Carr's  division,  took  part  in  the  march  of  Gen.  Sherman  on 
Jackson,  after  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg.  On  July  13,  the 
enemy  was  driven  to  his  works,  and  on  the  17th  the  city  was 
entered  by  our  troops.  They  were  also  sent  south,  performing 
a  toilsome  march  of  two  hundred  and  fifteen  miles.  Taking  a 
part  in  Gen.  Banks's  operations  in  Texas,  the  Eleventh,  with 
Gen.  Washburn's  division,  embarked  for  Brazos,  Santiago;  on 
the  23d,  and,  after  repeated  marchings,  proceeded  to  Indian- 
ola,  and  took  possession  of  that  place. 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 


w^isconsin's  war  record. 


Events  of  1803,  continued — Regimental   History— The  Progress  of  the  War  — 
Battle-Field  Incidents. 


The  Twelfth  Regiment  left  Lumpkin's  Mills  Jan.  8,  1863, 
and  marched  to  Holly  Springs,  and  thence  to  CoUiersville, 
to  Neville  Station,  on  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroad, 
where  they  were  engaged  guarding  the  railroad  until  March 
14,  when  the  division  marched  to  Memphis.  During  much 
of  the  time.  Col.  G.  E.  Bryant  was  in  command  of  the  brigade. 
Subsequently  they  took  part  in  an  expedition  through  the 
centre  of  Mississippi,  and  returned  to  Memphis,  and,  on  the  11th 
of  May,  moved  down  the  river  to  take  part  in  the  operations 
against  Vicksburg.  Disembarking  at  Sherman's  Landing,  they 
marched  across  the  peninsula,  and  taking  a  transport  landed 
at  Grand  Gulf  on  the  18th.  Here  Col.  Bryant  was  placed  in 
command  of  the  post ;  and  the  brigade  engaged  in  guard  and 
fatigue  duty.  After  the  taldng  of  Vicksburg,  they  proceeded 
to  assist  in  the  taking  of  Jackson,  but  subsequently  returned  to 
Vicksburg.  On  the  15th  of  August,  •  i  brigade  embarked  for 
Natchez,  where  the  Twelfth  remained  until  the  latter  part  of 
November  without  any  thing  occurring  of  ■  special  note,  except 
an  expedition  to  Harrisonburg,  I/a.,  where  they  found  an  aban- 
doned fort ;  when  they  returned  to  Vicksburg,  going  into  camp 
ten  miles  east  of  the  city.  On  the  4th  of  December,  they  made 
an  expedition  after  Adams's  Cavalry,  from  which  they  returned 
Jan.  23, 1864,  and  went  into  camp  at  Hebron,  where  the  regi- 
ment was  re-organized  as  a  veteran  regiment,  five  hundred  and 
twenty  men  having  re-enlisted. 

The  Thirteenth  Regiment  took  part  in  pursuing  the  rebel 

478 


480 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


general,  Forrest,  through  Western  Tennessee,  drivini^  him  to- 
wards Corinth,  where  liis  command  was  defeated  and  dispersed 
by  Gen.  Sullivan.  In  this  expedition,  the  Thirteenth  marched 
one  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  and  returned  to  Fort  Hcniy  Jan. 
1,  1863.  During  the  month,  they  were  employed  on  the  river 
between  Fort  IKnry  and  Hamburg  Landing,  Tenn.,  in  guarding 
steamers  laden  with  stores  and  supplies.  On  the  3d  of  Febru- 
ary, in  the  afternoon,  they  learned  that  Fort  Donelson  was 
attacked,  and  that  a  severe  fight  was  going  on.  In  half  an  hour, 
the  regiment  was  on  the  road  to  re-enforce  the  Eighty-third 
Illinois  at  that  important  point.  After  driving  the  enemy's 
skirmishers  five  miles,  they  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Fort 
at  ten  in  the  evening,  with  the  loss  of  one  man  on  the  march. 
IMeanAvhile  the  garrison,  assisted  by  the  gunboats,  had  repulsed 
the  enemy  with  severe  loss,  and  gained  a  victory  at  Fort  Don- 
elson on  the  3d  of  March,  holding  the  extreme  right  and  front 
of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 

During  the  spring  and  summer,  they  were  in  detachments, 
scouting  and  scouring  the  surrounding  country,  taking  many 
prisoners.  Participating  in  the  forward  movement  of  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland,  they  left  Fort  Donelson  Aug.  27, 
and  Ijy  way  of  Columbia,  Tenn.,  arrived  at  Stevenson,  Ala.,  a 
distance  of  two  hundred  and  sixty  miles,  on  Sept.  14.  Col. 
William  P.  Lyon  was  placed  in  command  of  the  post  and  the 
whole  body  of  troops  stationed  there.  The  regiment  joined  the 
brigade  to  which  it  belonged,  at  Nashville,  in  the  latter  part  of 
October,  and  went  into  winter-quarters  at  Edgefield,  where  it 
was  euiployed  in  picket  and  guard  duty  until  February,  1864, 
when,  more  than  three-fourths  of  the  men  having  re-enlisted, 
the  regiment  proceeded  to  Wisconsin  on  veteran  furlough. 

The  Fourteenth  Regiment,  on  the  10th  of  January,  1863,  left 
Moscow,  encamping,  on  the  13th,  at  Memphis ;  and  on  the  17th 
embarked  for  Vicksburg,  where  they  landed,  and  engaged  in 
guard  and  fatigue  duty.  Col.  Hancock,  having  become  disabled 
by  ill-health,  resigned  Jan.  23,  and  was  succeeded  by  Lieut.-Col. 
Ward.  On  the  8th  of  February,  they  embarked  on  transports 
for  Lake  Providence,  seventy-five  miles  above  Vicksburg,  with 
other  forces,  arriving  there  on  the  10th.  Here  they  remained 
until  the  20th,  engaged  in  sundry  reconnoissances,  seizures  of 


482 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


cotton,  supplies,  &c.,  when  they  proceeded  down  to  Milliken's 
Bend.  Marching  across  the  peninsula,  they  reached  Grand 
Gulf  May  13,  and  joined  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps  at  Ray- 
mond. They  reached  there  while  the  battle  of  Champion's 
Hill  (on  the  16th)  was  in  progress,  five  miles  to  the  left.  On 
the  17th,  they  were  put  in  motion  towards  Vicksburg,  and 
reached  Big  Black  River,  where  the  battle  had  just  been  fought 
and  assisted  in  the  construction  of  two  floating-bridges,  and  the 
next  day  arrived  at  Vicksburg,  and  advanced  to  a  position 
within  range  of  the  enemy's  guns,  in  the  line  of  the  Seventeenth 
Anny  Corps.  In  the  assault  on  the  enemy's  works  on  the  19th, 
they  attained  a  position  within  eighty  rods  of  the  enemy's  lines, 
after  two  days  in  skirmishing ;  and  on  22d  of  May,  the  Four- 
teenth took  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  terrible  charge,  penetrat- 
ing a  considerable  distance  beyond  any  other  regiment  of  the 
brigade,  and  attaining  a  position  in  front  of  the  enemy's  fort, 
where  no  other  regiment  was  near  them.  Here  they  were 
obliged  to  seek  cover  until  night,  before  they  could  escape.  In 
this  charge,  the  Fourteenth  lost  one  hundred  and  seven  in 
killed,  wounded,  and  missing.  The  regiment  remained  engaged 
in  the  duties  of  the  siege  until  the  surrender  of  the  city,  July  4, 
when  it  was  assigned  the  position  of  honor  on  the  right,  and 
ordered  to  take  the  advance  in  the  triumphal  entry  of  our  troops 
into  the  city ;  the  general  (Ransom)  complimenting  them  with 
the  remark,  that  "  every  man  and  oflScer  of  the  Fourteenth  was 
a  hero."  On  the  12th  of  July,  the  regiment  embarked  with  the 
brigade,  and  proceeded  to  Natchez,  of  which  place  they  took 
possession  on  the  14th.  Here  they  remained  until  Oct.  9,  when, 
pursuant  to  orders,  they  proceeded  to  Vicksburg,  and  encamped 
for  the  winter.  Medals  of  gold  and  silver  were  awarded  by  a 
Board  of  Honor  to  five  non-commissioned  officers  of  the  regi- 
men,  for  gallant  services. 

More  than  two-thirds  of  the  regiment  re-enlistcd  on  the  11th 
of  December,  constituting  it  a  veteran  regiment,  being  the  first 
regiment  to  re-enlist  in  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  The 
regiment  embarked  for  Wisconsin  Jan.  3,  1864,  on  furlough ; 
arrived  at  Madison  on  the  20th ;  on  the  26th  were  paid,  and 
received  furlough  for  thirty  days. 

The  Fifteenth  Regiment,  after  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  in 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


483 


which  they  did  noble  service,  went  into  camp  near  Murfrcos- 
borough  early  in  January,  18G3.  While  here,  they  suffered 
much  for  want  of  comfortable  clothing,  provisions,  and  tents. 
The  enemy  had  obstructed  the  railroads,  and  supplies  were  with 
great  difficulty  moved  forward.  They  remained  in  camp  until 
June  23.  On  the  1st  of  Ma_v,  the  regiment  was  transferred 
to  the  third  brigade,  of  which  Col.  Heg  had  been  placed  in 
permanent  command.  In  consequence  of  tliis  appointment,  a 
number  of  changes  were  made  among  the  cominissioned  officers. 
On  the  24th,  the  brigade  (including  the  Fifteenth)  accompanied 
the  movement  against  Gen.  Bragg  at  Tullahoma.  As  this 
expedition  has  before  been  referred  to,  it  is  only  necessary  to 
say,  that,  after  driving  Bragg  out  of  Tennessee,  the  onward 
march  was  commenced  to  Stevenson,  Ala.,  crossing  the  Cumber- 
land mountains,  at  which  place  they  remained  until  the  28th, 
when  they  led  the  advance  of  Ilosecrans'  army  against  the  enemy 
in  the  Chickamauga  campaign.  In  this  engagement,  owing  to 
want  of  proper  re-enforcements,  the  regiment  was  compelled  to 
break  with  considerable  loss.  Col.  Heg  died  the  day  '-'lowing 
of  wounds  ;  and  a  number  of  officers  were  killed.  The  official 
report  says  eleven  killed,  thirty-seven  wounded,  and  forty- 
eight  missing,  mostly  taken  prisoners.  On  the  21st,  two  com- 
panies of  the  regiment  which  had  been  stationed  at  Island 
No.  10  joined  the  regiment ;  and  the  brigade  proceeded  to  Chat- 
tanooga, and,  on  their  arrival,  commenced  throwing  up  breast- 
works. Here  they  suffered  for  want  of  provisions  and  clothing, 
as  the  line  of  communication  was  continually  interrupted  by 
the  rebel  cavalry.  On  the  11th  of  October,  the  Fifteenth  was 
assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and,  on  the  23d  of 
November,  moved  out  of  their  works  to  attack  the  rebels  on 
Mission  Ridge,  in  which  they  were  successful.  On  the  28th, 
they  marched  to  Knoxville  in  East  Tennessee,  which  place 
they  reached  Dec.  7,  after  a  march  of  one  hundred  and  ten 
miles.  The  service  of  this  regiment  in  this  campaign  was  one 
of  great  hardship.  It  was  marching  and  coiniter-marching  over 
intolerable  roads,  from  place  to  place,  remaining  only  long 
enough  for  the  men  to  indulge  in  the  hope  that  they  would  be 
allowed  once  more  to  pitch  their  tents,  and  enjoy  a  little  rest, 
when  the  same  scene  would  be  re-enacted.     So  disgusted  and 


484 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


disheartened  did  the  men  hecome,  that  only  seven  of  the  whole 
regiment  finally  re-enlisted  us  veterans.  No  engagement  of 
importance  tooli  plaue  in  East  Tennessee,  except  one,  in  which 
a  detachment  of  tlie  Fifteenth  took  part. 

The  Sixteenth  Regiment  left  Moscow,  Tenn.,  on  tlie  10th 
of  January,  18(]:3,  and  engaged  on  duty  on  the  Memphis  and 
Charleston  Railroad ;  was  subsequently  transferred  to  Lake 
Providence,  and  took  part  in  cutting  a  canal  to  the  lake,  where 
they  remained  lyitil  about  Aug.  1,  at  which  time  they  moved 
down  the  river  to  Vicksburg,  and,  on  the  28tii  of  September, 
maiched  to  Redbone  Church,  twelve  miles  from  Vicksburg. 
Here  Lieut.-Col.  Fairchild  was  placed  in  command.  They 
remained  until  February,  18G4,  when  they  moved  into  the 
fortifications  ai  Vicksburg,  and  acted  as  part  of  the  garrison. 
On  the  4th  of  March,  tliey  were  joined  by  three  comjianies 
which  had  been  recruited  in  Wisconsin. 

The  old  companies  re-enlisted,  and  on  the  Cth  left  Vicksburg 
for  Wisconsin,  on  veteran  furlough,  arriving  at  Madison  on  the 
16th,  where  they  were  publicly  welcomed  by  the  State  officers, 
andmemljers  of  the  legislature.  After  their  thirty  days'  respite 
from  military  matters,  tliey  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Randall, 
on  April  18,  and  reached  Cairo  on  the  22d. 

The  Seventeenth  Regiment,  in  December,  18G2,  was  at  Grand 
Junction.  Here  it  remained  until  .Ian.  8,  18Gi>,  when  it 
rejoined  the  divisit)n  at  Moscow,  Tenn.  On  the  10th,  the 
whole  command  proceeded  to  Memphis,  arriving  on  the  1.3th, 
and  on  the  18th  embarked  on  transports,  and  moved  down  the 
Mississippi,  landing  at  Young's  Point,  near  Vicksburg,  on  the 
2oth,  where  they  were  employed  on  the  canal,  by  which  Gen. 
Grant  jiroposcd  to  run  the  rebel  batteries.  On  the  8th  of  Feb- 
ruary, they  moved  uj)  the  river  to  Lake  Providence,  engaged  in 
cutting  a  canal  from  (he  river  to  the  lake.  Here  they  remained 
until  the  20th  of  April,  when  they  moved  down  the  river  to 
Milliken's  Bend. 

In  company  Avith  other  forces,  they  crossed  the  peninsula  to 
Carthage,  near  which  they  encamped  until  10th  of  May,  wlien 
tliey  crossed  the  river  at  Grand  Gulf,  and  on  the  IGth  reached 
Raymond,  while  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills  was  in  progress, 
and  hurried  forward,  but  did  not  arrive  until  the  battle  was  over. 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


485 


Here  the  Seventeenth  was  ordered  to  the  support  of  a  battery. 
The  enemy  retiring,  they  were  ordered  forward  in  pursuit,  and 
marched  till  midnight.  In  the  morning  the  pursuit  was  con- 
tinued, and  the  regiment  reached  Black  River  Bridge  soon  after 
the  capture  of  the  enemy's  position.  Here  they  were  engaged  in 
the  construction  of  military  bridges,  over  wiiich  they  crossed 
on  the  18th,  and  marched  to  within  half  a  mile  of  the  enemy's 
position,  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg.  On  the  19th  of  May,  the 
Seventeenth  took  part  in  the  assault  on  the  enemy's  works.  In 
this  engagement,  the  Seventeenth  had  fourteen  killed,  and  fifty 
wounded.  After  the  taking  of  Vicksburg,  the  brigade  went 
into  camp  within  the  old  line  of  works,  where  they  remained 
until  the  12th,  when  they  embarked,  and  proceeded  to  Natchez. 
Here  the  regiment  was  employed  in  picket  and  guard  duty, 
and,  on  the  24th  of  August,  was  furnished  with  horses,  and 
employed  as  mounted  infantry-men.  On  the  1st  of  September, 
a  part  of  the  regiment  moved  to  Trinity  in  the  State  of  Louisi- 
ana. Here  the  rebels  gave  them  a  warm  reception ;  but  they 
were  soon  routed.  A  rebel  steamer,  with  commissary  and 
quartermaster's  stores,  was  taken  possession  off,  and  destroyed. 
On  the  4th,  they  arrived  at  Fort  Beauregard,  and  took  posses- 
sion of  the  same,  capturing  three  ])rass  six-pounders,  two 
thirty-two-pound  siege-guns,  and  twenty  four-pound  howit- 
zers, besides  caissons  and  ammunition.  Tiiey  subsequently 
(iestroycd  a  grist-mill  in  the  vicinity,  and  a  lot  of  Confederate 
cotton  and  commissary  stores,  after  which  they  rejoined  the 
brigade,  and  returned  to  Natchez,  where  they  remained  until 
the  last  of  October,  when  they  moved  with  the  brigade  to 
Vicksburg,  where  they  were  occupied  during  the  winter  in 
camp  and  guard  duty. 

The  Board  of  Honor  established  by  the  Seventeenth  Corps 
presented  four  silver  medals  to  non-commissioned  officers  of 
the  regiment  for  distinguished  gallantry  and  services. 

The  Eighteenth  Regiment  left  Moscow  on  the  10th  of  Jan- 
uary, 1863  ;  marched  to  Memphis,  where  they  embarked  for, 
and  pi'oceeded  to.  Young's  Point,  near  Vicksburg,  subsequent- 
ly to  Lake  Providence,  to  Milliken's  Bend,  to  Raym-cul,  and 
joined  in  the  attack  ou  Jaclcson,  Miss.  They  took  part  in  the 
assault ;  gallantly  charged  upon  the  enemy,  and,  after  a  severe 


m 


486 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


contest,  drove  him  from  the  field,  leaving  the  cit)'  in  possession 
of  our  forces.  In  this  engagement,  the  casualties  were  six 
killed  and  sixteen  wounded.  The  next  day  they  started  for 
Yick.'jburg,  and  on  the  16th  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Champion 
Hills. 

The  regiment  was  in  the  reserve,  and  Avas  not  actively  en- 
gaged, although  exposed  to  a  severe  fire.  Subsequently  they 
crossed  lilack  River  on  a  floating  bridge,  and  took  a  position 
with  their  division,  in  front  of  the  enemy's  fortifications  at  Vicks- 
burg.  On  the  22d,  they  took  no  part  in  the  assault,  but  acted 
as  sharpshooters.  On  May  2G,  the  brigade  did  much  service 
in  a  reconnoissancc  between  the  Black  and  Yazoo  Rivers,  captur- 
ing a  large  amount  of  property,  destroying  several  mills,  and 
subsequently  returned  to  their  duties  in  the  trenches  before 
Vicksburg,  where  they  remained  in  skirmishing-duty  until  the 
surrender  of  the  city,  when  they  entered,  and  engaged  in  g>iard 
and  provost  duty  luitil  Sept.  11.  Tlio  regiment  marched 
two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  on  an  expedition,  passing  through 
Northern  Mississippi  and  Alabama,  and  Southern  Tennessee, 
and  on  the  24th  took  part  in  the  attack  on  Mission  Ridge,  and 
subscqucntl}'  joined  in  the  i)ursuit  of  the  enemy  as  far  as  Ring- 
gold, (ia.,  returning  to  Chattanooga  on  t!ie  28th.  They  were 
sul)scquently  at  Iluntsvillc,  Ala.,  whore  they  were  engaged  in 
guard,  outpost,  and  provost  duty,  until  IMay  1,  1804. 

'J'lie  Nineteenth  Regiment  remained  at  Norfolk,  Va.,  until 
Apiil  11,  1SG3,  when  a  detachment  marched  to  Elizabeth 
River,  and  built  fortifications  until  the  14tli,  wlicn  they  re- 
moved to  Suffolk,  the  extreme  advance  of  the  Union  lines. 
Thence  they  marched  to  Jericho  Creek,  and  encamped,  and 
were  subsequently  employed  at  different  points,  constructing 
rifle-])its  and  corduroy  roads,  and  other  duties.  They  returned 
to  Suffolk  April  20.  Here  tliey  remained  until  Juno  17,  when 
they  marched  to  Norfolk,  and  the  next  day  encamped  near  the 
fortifications.  Passuig  up  the  river,  they  reached  West  Point, 
and  remained  until  July  8,  and  then  returned  to  Yorktown,  and 
en'jaged  in  garrison-duty  until  the  middle  of  August.  From 
thence  they  moved  to  Newport  News,  where  they  remained 
until  Oct.  8,  when  they  embarked  for  Ncwbern,  N.C.,  where 
they  arrived  Oct.  11.    Here  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  out- 


488 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


post  and  picfcet  duty  In  companies, — one  party,  two  miles  from 
Newbern,  with  two  pieces  of  artillery ;  and  others  twenty  miles 
distant,  and  on  the  south  side  of  Trent  River.  The  regiment 
was  thus  employed  until  Feb.  1,  18G4. 

The  Twentieth  Regiment  fought  nobly  at  Prairie  Grove 
Dec.  6,  1802,  and  lost  heavily,  and  remained  in  camp  at 
that  place  until  Dec.  27,  when  they  were  ordered  to  make  a 
reconnoissance  in  force  to  Van  Buren,  on  the  Arkansas  River. 
They  returned  to  camp  on  the  81st,  having  marched  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  miles  in  five  days.  Shortly  after,  they 
marched  into  Missouri,  where  the  balance  of  the  winter  Avas 
spent,  the  regiment  moving  from  place  to  place  in  the  south- 
western part  of  the  State,  and  on  the  31st  of  March,  1863, 
going  into  camp  at  Lake  Springs,  near  Rolla,  where  they 
remained  until  June  3,  when  they  marched  to  Rolla,  and,  tak- 
ing cars,  proceeded  to  St.  Louis,  where  they  embarked  for 
Young's  Point,  crossed  the  peninsula  to  Warrenton,  and  took 
position  in  the  line  of  investment  in  the  front  of  Vicksburg, 
on  the  extreme  left  of  the  investing  forces.  Here  they 
remained  until  the  capitulation  of  the  city,  engaged  in  picket- 
duty,  and  labor  on  intrenchments. 

On  the  12th  of  July  they  embarked,  under  orders  to  re- 
enforce  Gen.  Banks  at  Port  Hudson.  Before  leaving,  they 
heard  of  the  surrender  of  that  place,  and  were  sent  to  accom- 
pany an  expedition  up  the  Yazoo  River.  Arriving  within 
three  miles  of  Yazoo  City  on  the  13th,  skirmishers  were  dis- 
embarked, and  sent  forward.  After  the  exchange  of  a  few 
shots,  our  troops  took  possession  of  the  place  ;  and,  while  there, 
the  regiment  acted  as  provost-guard. 

The  whole  expedition  returned  to  Vicksburg  on  the  21st, 
and,  after  a  delay  of  two  days,  proceeded  down  the  river  to 
Port  Hudson,  where  they  went  into  camp  on  the  25th.  About 
the  middle  of  August,  they  left  Port  Hudson,  and  proceeded 
down  the  river,  and  went  into  camp  at  Carrollton,  La.,  near 
New  Orleans.  On  the  5th  of  September,  accompanying  an 
expedition  up  the  Mississippi,  they  proceeded  up  the  river  to 
Morganzia,  La.,  and  moved  forward  on  the  Simmsport  Road 
as  far  as  the  Atchafalaya  River,  where  the  enemy  was  found 
strongly  intrenched,  and  then  returned  to  Carrollton.    Embark- 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


489 


ing  on  the  steamer,  they  left  Carrollton  and  proceeded  to  the 
head  of  the  passes,  and  waited  for  the  ^  est  of  the  fleet,  which, 
to  the  number  of  twenty-seven,  stood  out  to  sea  on  the  27th 
of  October.  Encountered  a  severe  st  rm  on  tlie  29th,  and 
arrived  at  Brazos  Santiago  on  the  1st  ol  November,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande.  Not  being  able  to 
land,  they  returned  to  the  former  phice,  and  went  into  camp  at 
Brownsville.  Here  they  were  employed  in  garrison,  picket, 
and  fatigue  duty  at  Fort  Brown.  Here  the  regiment  remained 
until  it  was  evacuated  by  the  Union  forces,  July  28,  18G4. 

The  Twenty-first  Regiment  on  the  5th  of  January,  18G3,  went 
into  camp  near  Murfreesborough,  foraging,  drilling,  fortifying, 
and  skirmishing  with  the  enemy.  The  regiment  then  moved 
with  the  army  upon  the  enemy,  who  were  encamped  near  Tulla- 
homa ;  and,  on  the  2Gth  of  June,  the  regiment  was  engaged  in 
driving  the  rebels  from  a  strong  position  at  Hoover's  Gap,  and 
afterwards  followed  the  I'ltreating  enemy  to  the  Tennessee 
River.  On  the  1st  of  '^  .ptember  they  crossed  the  river,  and 
joined  in  the  march  to  Dug  Gap,  where  the  enemy  were  found 
in  great  force.  On  the  19th,  the  third  brigade  with  the  Twenty- 
first  Regiment  was  moved  to  a  position  near  one  of  the  gaps  at 
Mission  Ridge,  and  near  the  fords  of  the  Chickamauga.  The 
day  following,  the  terrible  battle  at  Chickamauga  took  place,  in 
which  Lieut.-Col.  Hobart  of  this  regiment,  and  about  seventy 
officers  and  men,  were  captured.  At  this  battle,  the  regiment 
lost,  killed  or  died  of  wounds,  nine  ;  wounded,  thirty-four. 
After  the  battle,  the  regiment,  with  what  remained  of  the 
brigade,  retired  to  a  line  of  defence  near  Mission  Ridge, 
and  Sept.  22,  it  fell  back  to  Chattanooga,  where  it  remained 
in  the  defence  of  that  place.  During  the  winter  of  1803-64, 
it  held  the  outpost  upon  Lookout  Mountain,  and  remained  in 
this  position  until  May  2,  1864.  Col.  Hobart,  having  escaped 
fiom  Libby  Prison,  after  four  months'  close  confinement,  re- 
turned to  ih°i  regiment  at  this  place. 

The  Twenty-second  Regiment,  on  the  12th  of  December,  1862, 
were  at  Danville,  Ky.,  from  which  place  they  proceeded  in  vari- 
ous directions,  through  the  surrounding  country,  to  meet  and 
foil  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  The  order  for  the  return  of 
such  fugitives  from  labor  as  came  into  the  camp  was  repugnant 


490 


nisTonr  or  }r/sco\s'ry. 


to  tho  feelings  and  principles  of  Col.  Utlcy  nnd  his  men.  In 
response  to  such  an  order,  he  utterly  refused  to  he  instrumen- 
tal in  returning  a  colored  man  to  the  man  claiming  to  ho.  his 
master.  At  one  time,  the  colonel  was  indicted  by  a  Kentucky 
court,  and  the  sheriff  was  ordered  to  arrest  him.  The  attempt 
was  not  made,  however ;  and  tho  regiment  was  allowed  to 
depart  from  Kentucky  without  any  disturbance. 

They  left  Danville  on  the  2Gth  of  January,  1803;  arrived  at 
Louisville  on  tho  <30th  ;  and  reached  Nashville  Feb.  7 ;  from 
thence  to  Franklin ;  and  on  the  3d  of  March  were  ordered 
to  make  a  reconnoissanco  toward  Spring  Hill,  where  an  engage- 
ment took  place  at  a  place  known  as  Thompson's  Station,  in 
which  tho  regiment  was  badly  defeated.  Three  hundred  and 
sixty-three  men  went  out  with  this  expedition,  of  which  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  escaped,  and  the  rest  were  killed, 
wounded,  or  taken  prisoners  ;  Col.  Utley  and  eleven  commis- 
sioned offic.ers  among  them. 

On  the  8th  of  March,  the  remainder  of  the  regiment  (about 
five  hundred  men),  under  Lieut.-Col.  Bloodgood,  was  ordered 
to  Brentwood  Station.  On  the  2oth,  while  on  the  way  to  assist 
a  Union  force  two  miles  south,  they  were  attacked  by  over- 
powering numbers,  and  completely'  surrounded  by  the  enemy, 
under  Gen.  Forrest.  Finding  that  resistance  was  useless, 
Lieut.-Col.  Bloodgood  surrendered  his  whole  command. 

The  officers  and  men  captured  in  these  two  engagements 
were  sent  to  Southern  prisons.  The  enlisted  men  were  soon 
exchanged  ;  and  the  officers  who  had  been  sent  to  Libby  Prison 
were  exchanged  on  che  .")th  of  May.  It  has  since  been  ascer- 
tained that  the  rebels  had  a  force  of  over  twelve  thousand  at 
Thompson's  Station,  who  surrounded  and  captured  Coburn's 
forces. 

After  the  release  of  the  22d,  a  rendezvous  was  established 
at  St.  Louis,  where  the  regiment  was  re-organized,  and  newly 
equipped,  and  on  the  12th  of  June  returned  to  the  field.  Pro- 
ceeding to  Nashville,  arriving  there  on  the  loth,  they  were 
sent  to  Franklin,  from  whence,  on  the  3d  of  July,  they  pro- 
ceeded to  Murfreesborough,  and  went  into  camp  within  the 
fortifications.  A  detachment  was  sent  in  December  to  near 
Tullahoma.  Here  they  remained  in  the  performance  of  pro- 
vost and  guard  duty  until  February,  1864. 


CHAPTER    XLVII. 


WISCONSIN'S  WAR  RECOUD. 


Events  of  1803,  continued  —  Military  History  <if  Wisconsin  during  the  Tear 
1803  —  Reglmentiil  Records  —  The  Cavalry. 

The  Twenty-tliirtl  Regiment  was  at  Milliken's  Bend,  Jan.  1, 
18C3.  On  the  10th  of  the  month,  they  disembarketl  within 
three  miles  of  Arkansas  Post,  on  the  Arkansas  River.  Wliile 
moving  forward  to  obtain  position,  they  were  assailed  by  a 
destructive  enfilading  fire  from  the  enemy's  rifle-pits  and 
artiller}'-,  rendering  necessary  a  change  of  front.  This  having 
been  effected,  three  companies  were  employed  as  skirmishers, 
and  captured  several  block-houses  ;  while  the  balance  of  the 
regiment  attacked  and  carried  the  rifle-pits.  After  an  engage- 
ment of  about  three  hours,  the  post,  with  its  garrison,  uncondi- 
tionally surrendered.  In  this  engagement,  the  Twenty-third 
sustained  a  loss  of  six  killed,  and  thirty-one  wounded.  Jan. 
15,  the  regiment  again  eml>arked,  and  arrived  at  Vuang's 
Point,  La.,  where  they  encamped.  In  this  unhealthy  location, 
the  regiments  suffered  severely  from  the  effects  of  malaria  and 
ex^Dosure,  and  it  was  until  the  middle  of  February  before  the 
regiment  could  muster  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  fit  for  duty. 
From  the  middle  of  February  to  the  8th  of  March,  they  wore 
engaged  in  several  minor  excursions  against  the  enemy  at 
Greenville,  Miss.,  and  at  Cypress  Bend,  Ark.,  where  they  had 
a  severe  fight,  in  which  the  Twenty-third  succeeded  in  captur- 
ing several  prisoners  and  pieces  of  artillery.  After  a  foraging 
expedition  to  Princeton,  Miss.,  they  ascended  the  river  to 
Milliken's  Bend,  where  the  health  of  the  regiment  greatly 
improved.  Following  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  in  its  march 
to  the  rear  of   Vicksburg,  they  proceeded   to   Hard  Times 

401 


492 


mSTOJiV  OF   WISCONSIN. 


Landing,  below  Grand  Gulf.  Crossing  the  river  to  Bruinsburg, 
the  division  commenced  the  mtirch  towards  Vieksburg,  reaching 
the  battle-ground  of  Port  Gibson  May  1.  In  the  action  at 
this  place,  the  regiment,  with  the  brigade,  captured  twenty- 
prisoners,  and  on  the  day  following  took  the  advance,  and, 
pushing  forward,  was  the  first  of  our  army  to  enter  tlie  village 
of  Port  Gibson.  After  several  days'  skirmishing,  the  regimeni 
joined  the  movement  on  Raymond,  and  on  the  IGth  took 
part  in  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills.  It  took  the  advance, 
and  forced  back  the  enemy's  skirmish-line  to  the  main  I'ody, 
a  distance  of  two  miles ;  and,  in  the  battles  of  the  20th 
and  22d,  the  regiment  and  brigade  did  excellent  service.  The 
Twenty-second  lost,  in  these  engagements,  seventeen  killed, 
and  thirty-six  wounded. 

The  i-egiment  was  subsequently  occupied  in  siege-duty  until 
the  final  surrender  of  Vieksburg,  July  4.  Up  to  the  5lh  of 
June,  the  regiment  had  been  commanded  by  Col.  Guppy,  when 
continued  ill  health  compelled  him  to  turn  over  his  command 
to  Lieut.-Col.  A^'ilas,  who  had  the  charge  of  the  regiment 
during  the  subsequent  progress  of  the  siege  of  Vicksljurg,  and 
for  nearly  two  months  after  the  surrender.  On  the  10th  of 
Juh%  the  regiment  took  position  before  Jackson,  ?.Iiss.,  and 
were  there  until  after  the  capture,  of  that  place.  They  returned 
to  Vieksburg  July  21,  and  encamped  until  Aug.  24,  when 
the  regiment  proceeded  down  the  river  to  New  Orleans, 
and  from  thence  to  Berwick  City.  On  the  25th  of  August, 
Col.  Vilas  resigned,  and  Major  Hill  was  appointed  lieutenant- 
colonel.  On  the  7th  of  October,  the  regiment  took  part  in 
the  expedition  to  South-western  Louisiana,  passing  through 
Centreville,  New  Iberia,  and  Vermilion,  at  which  place  they 
remained  until  the  21st.  Passing  through  Opelousas  to  Barr's 
Landing,  they  moved,  Nov.  1,  to  Bayou  Bordeaux,  where,  on 
the  3d,  the  enemy  made  a  fierce  assault.  In  this  engagement, 
they  lost  seven  killed,  and  thirty-eight  wounded,  and  eighty- 
six  taken  prisoners.  After  the  battle,  the  regiment,  on  tlio 
3d  of  November,  retired  to  Carrion  Crow  Bayou,  and  thence 
proceeded  to  New  Iberia,  which  it  reached  on  the  8th,  and  the 
regiment  was  assigned  provost-duty ;  Col.  Hill  being  placed  in 
command  of  the  post  of  New  Iberia.    The  regiment  subse- 


494 


BISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


quently  went  to  Texas,  and  embarked  at  Algiers  for  Matagorda, 
arriving  on  the  29tla  off  Do  Crow's  Point,  where  they  landed, 
and  went  into  camp  Jan.  1,  1864. 

The  Twenty-fourth  Regiment  was  at  Murfreesborough  on  the 
80th  of  December,  1862;  and  on  the  31st  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Stone  River,  and  fought  bravely.  The  casualties  of 
the  regiment,  as  reported,  were  thirty-one  killed,  and  forty-six 
wounded.  Lieut.-Col.  Buttrick  having  resigned.  Major  Hib- 
bard  was  commissioned  lieutenant-colonel.  Several  changes 
took  place  at  the  re-organization  of  the  army  for  the  summer 
campaign.  On  the  24th  of  June,  the  regiment  removed  frorn 
Murfreesborough,  reaching  Tullahoma  on  July  1,  and  encamped 
at  Cowan,  Tenn.,  on  the  3d,  where  they  reruained  until  the 
forward  movement  began  against  the  enemy  at  Chattanooga, 
on  Sept.  2,  when  they  crossed  the  Tennessee  River  at  Bridge- 
port, marched  across  the  mountains  to  Trenton,  thence  to 
Will's  Valley  to  Alpine.  Learning  that  Gen.  Bragg  was  at 
Lafayette,  Gen.  Rosecrans  ordered  the  concentration  of  all  the 
forces  near  Gordon's  Mills,  and  along  Chickamauga  Crock.  On 
the  morning  of  Sept.  19,  the  Twenty-fourth  marched  under 
the  command  of  Lieut.-Col.  West.  On  the  20th,  the  brigade 
fought  the  enemy  for  nearly  half  an  hour ;  and  Lieut.-Col.  West 
was  taken  prisoner,  and  carried  to  Libby  Prison,  whence  he 
made  his  escape  in  company  with  Col.  Hobart.  The  list  of 
those  killed  and  wounded  is  taken  from  the  records ;  viz., 
killed,  or  died  from  wounds,  eighteen;  wounded,  sixty-one; 
and  thirty-six  missing,  mostly  taken  prisoners.  After  the 
battle,  they  removed  to  Rossville,  and  subsequently  returned  to 
Chattanooga,  remaining  in  camp,  and  employed  in  guard  and 
fatigue  duty,  until  the  campaign  of  Gen.  Grant  against  Mission 
Ridge.  The  Twenty-fourth  left  camp  at  Chattanooga  Nov. 
23,  and  took  position  in  line  of  battle,  and  on  the  2uth  were 
advanced  to  the  assault.  They  carried  the  rille-pits,  resuming 
the  ascent  of  the  hill ;  and,  after  a  severe  engagement,  the 
rebel  position  was  captured.  In  tiiis  engagement,  the  regiment 
lost,  in  killed  five,  and  wounded  thirty. 

After  the  battle,  the  army  was  re-organized  by  Gen.  Grant ; 
and  the  Twentj-fourth  was  attached  to  Gen.  Sheridan's 
division,  and  was  ordered  to  take  part  in  the  expedition  of 


HISTOSr  OF   WISCONSIN. 


495 


Oen.  Sherman  for  the  relief  of  Gen.  Burnside  at  KnoxvUle. 
Starting  on  Nov.  28,  the  army  arrived  near  Knoxville  on  the 
7th  of  December,  after  a  march  of  one  hundred  and  thirty 
miles,  raising  the  siege  of  that  place,  which  had  been  closely 
invested  by  Longstreet.  During  the  winter,  they  were 
stationed  at  points  in  proximity  to  Knoxville,  and  subsequently 
at  Loudon,  where  they  were  engaged  in  provost-guard-duty 
until  the  spring  campaign,  under  Gen.  Sherman. 

The  Twenty-fifth  Regiment  left  Camp  Randall  Feb.  17, 
18G3,  under  orders  to  report  at  Cairo,  111.  They  arrived  on 
the  19th,  and  next  day  proceeded  to  Columbus,  Ky.  Here 
they  were  attached  to  the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps ;  and  the 
regiment  proceeded  to  Cape  Girardeau.  Returning  to  Colum- 
bus on  the  2otli,  they  resumed  their  former  post  and  picket 
dutj%  until  the  31st  of  May,  when  they  left  on  transports  down 
the  river  to  Memphis,  from  whence  they  were  ordered  to 
Young's  Point,  where  they  arrived  Juno  4.  From  thence 
they  proceeded  up  the  Yazoo  River,  to  Satartia,  where  they 
landed  and  encamped.  Leaving  this  last  place  June  IG,  the 
brigade  marched  down  the  Yazoo  Valley  to  Haine's  Bluff,  and 
from  thence  four  miles  to  Snyder's  Bluff,  where  they  arrived  on 
the  11th.  This  position  formed  the  extreme  right  of  the  line 
of  investment  around  Vicksburg.  Here  they  remained  engaged 
in  picket-duty,  when  the  regiment,  under  Licut.-Col.  Nasmith, 
took  part  in  an  expedition  up  the  Mississippi  for  the  purpose 
of  driving  off  guerillas  who  were  stationed  at  several  points, 
and  firing  into  the  passing  boats.  They  returned  unsuccessful, 
as  the  rebels  fled  on  tlieir  approach.  They  remained  on  the 
Yazoo  River  until  July  25.  They  were  placed  in  a  sickly  lo- 
cality ;  and  the  regiment  suffered  severely ;  over  five  hundred 
men  being  sick,  and  very  few  fit  for  duty.  From  thence  they 
moved  up  tlie  river  to  Helena,  and  the  regiment  was  placed  on 
duty  as  provost-guard.  Owing  to  the  liardsliips  of  the  rapid 
march  from  Satatia  to  Snyder's  Bluff,  the  excessive  heat,  and 
the  unhealtliy  position  they  were  placed  in,  the  regiment 
suffered  to  a  friglitful  extent.  On  the  Ifith  of  Augast,  only 
ninety  men  were  reported  fit  for  duty. 

The  regiment  remained  at  Helena,  engaged  in  provost-guard- 
duty,  until  February,  lbG4. 


49(5 


mSTORY  OF   WISCONSm. 


The  Twenty-sixth  Regiment  spent  December,  18G2,  at  Staf- 
ford Court  House.  In  January,  18G3,  tliey  joined  the  expedi- 
tion known  as  the  "  Mud  Campaign,"  but  soon  returned  to 
Stafford.  On  tlie  27th  of  April,  the  regiment  and  the  rest  of 
the  Eleventh  Corjw  broke  camp,  crossed  the  Rappahannock  at 
Kelley's  Ford,  and  on  the  29th  crossed  the  Rai)idan  at  Ger- 
mania  Ford,  and  by  hard  marching  reached  Locust  Grove,  near 
Chancellorsville,  April  30.  In  the  battle  that  took  place,  the 
Twentj'-sixth  participated,  but  were  obliged  to  retreat.  The  loss 
by  killed  and  wounded  was  large.  Fifty-three  were  reported 
killed,  and  ninety-six  Avounded.  After  the  battle,  the  Eleventh 
Corps  returned  to  Stafford  Court  House,  where  they  remained 
until  the  12th  of  June,  when  they  received  orders  to  march, 
as  information  was  received  that  the  enemy  was  marching  into 
the  loyal  States.  The  regiment  proceeded  to  Centreville, 
thence  to  Edward's  Ferry,  and  reached  Emmettsburg,  Md., 
June  29,  where  the  Eleventh  Corps  encamped.  On  the  1st  of 
July,  they  marched  towards  Gettysburg,  in  which  battle  the 
Twenty-sixth  took  an  active  part.  At  this  battle,  the  Twenty- 
sixth  had  fifty-three  killed,  and  a  hundred  and  fifteen  wounded. 
Afterwards  set  out  on  its  return  to  Virginia,  and  marched  to 
Boonsborough,  to  Funkstown,  to  Williamsport,  whence  to  Berlin, 
crossing  the  Potomac,  on  the  19th  took  the  line  of  march  to 
Warrenton  Junction,  where  they  arrived  July  25.  The  regi- 
ment was  much  reduced  by  the  casualties  of  battle  and  the 
hardships  of  the  campaign,  and  was  temporarily  organized  into 
five  companies.  They  remained  here  until  Sept.  17,  engaged 
in  picket  and  patrol  duty,  when  they  removed  to  Rappahannock 
Station,  where  the  regiment  assumed  its  rightful  organization, 
and  remained  until  the  24th,  when  the  Eleventh  Corps  marched 
to  ISIanassas  Junction.  Having  been  transferred  to  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee,  they  proceeded  to  Columbus,  and  thenc(;  to 
Bridgeport,  Ala.,  arriving  Oct.  2.  On  the  23d,  24th,  and 
2.5th,  the  regiment  was  .engaged  in  the  brilliant  action  at 
Mission  Ridge,  and  on  the  26th  joined  in  the  pursuit  of  the 
enemy  until  the  28th,  returning  to  Parker's  Gap.  After  a 
number  of  marches  and  countermarches,  the  regiment  marched 
back  again  to  its  old  camp  in  Lookout  Valley,  where  it  re- 
mained until  Jan.  25,  18G4. 


of 
at 


mSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


497 


The  TNventy-scventh  Regiment  was  mustered  into  the  ser- 
vice on  the  7th  of  April,  18G3.  It  left  the  State  March  IG,  un- 
der orders  to  proceed  to  Columbus,  Ky.  Here  it  remained, 
engaged  in  garrison-duty,  until  the  30th  of  May,  when  it  moved 
with  other  forces  to  Memphis,  from  whence  the  regiment  was 
ordered  to  Vicksburg.  On  the  4th  of  June,  they  proceeded  up 
the  Yazoo  River  to  Satartia,  where  an  action  took  place  between 
the  rebel  artillery  and  the  gunboats.  They  marched  down 
the  river  thirty  miles,  to  Ilaine's  libiff,  where  they  arrived 
next  day.  Subsequently  they  moved  to  Snyder's  Bluff,  and 
engaged  in  picket-duty,  and  work  on  the  fortifications,  until 
after  the  capitulation  of  Vicksburg,  when  they  moved  to 
Helena,  Ark.  Thence  they  proceeded  up  White  River  to 
Duval's  Bluff,  and  marched  to  Little  Rock,  and  assisted  in 
the  capture  of  that  place.  On  the  20d  of  March,  18G4,  they 
accompanied  the  march  of  Gen.  Steele  to  co-operate  with  Gen. 
Banks  in  the  celebrated  Red  River  Expedition. 

The  Twenty-eighth  Regiment  left  the  State  for  Columbus, 
Ky.,  on  the  20th  of  December,  18G2,  and  were  sent  forward  by 
rtiilroad  to  Union  City;  but,  meeting  no  enemy,  they  returned 
to  Columbus  until  Jan.  5,  when  they  embarked  for  Helena, 
Ark.,  and  on  the  11th  were  assigned  to  the  second  brigade. 
Arriving  at  Saint  Charles,  the  Twenty-eighth,  with  a  squad 
of  cavalry  and  artillery,  were  landed  to  hold  the  i^lace.  Subse- 
quently they  went  with  an  expedition  fitted  out  at  Helena  on 
Feb.  24,  known  as  Yazoo  Pass  Expedition,  after  which  the  regi- 
ment returned  to  Helena.  They  suffered  much  from  the  dis- 
eases engendered  in  the  malarious  district  of  Tallahatchie.  In 
July  an  expedition  was  made  towards  Cotton  Plant,  Ark.  At 
Helena,  they  completed  a  line  of  fortifications  around  the  place  ; 
and  on  the  4th  of  July  a  force  of  about  fifteen  thousand 
strong  of  the  enemy  made  its  ajjpearanco  under  Gen.  Holmes. 
After  a  continuous  fight  of  five  hours,  the  enemy  fell  back,  and 
gave  up  the  contest,  leaving  his  dead,  —  over  four  hundred, — 
besides  over  eight  hundred  prisoners,  in  our  hands.  Gen. 
Salomon  and  the  brave  men  of  his  brigade  are  entitled  to  the 
credit  of  the  repulse  of  the  enemy  at  Helena.  With  a  force 
of  about  thirty-five  hundred  men,  he  succeeded  in  holding 
at  bay  and  driving  off  a  force  of   at  least  fifteen   thousand. 


498 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


Being  protected  behind  their  works,  the  casualties  were 
liglit,  —  killed  two,  and  wounded  i'our.  The  regiment  left 
Helena  on  the  lltli,  uceonii)anying  Gen.  Steele  in  his  expe- 
dition against  Little  Ilouk,  which  place  they  reached  Sept. 
10,  where  they  remained  unlil  Oct.  it!,  when  they  joined 
in  ^larraaduke's  lorces  toward;  Saline  Iliver,  jiroceeding  to 
Roekport  on  the  Wusiiita,  where  furtlier  pursuit  was  aban- 
doned ;  and  the  regiment  returned  to  Little  Hock  on  the  1st  of 
November.  From  this  i)lace  they  were  ordered  to  Pine  Bluff, 
sixty  miles  from  Little  Rock,  on  the  Arkansas  River:  here,  on 
the  10th  of  November,  they  went  into  winter-quarters,  and  were 
engaged  in  picket  and  garrison  duty  until  the  27th  of  Marcli 
18G4. 

The  Twenty-uiuth  Regiment  was  at  Friar's  Point  in 
December,  18G2,  in  charge  of  Col.  Gill,  who  endeavored  to 
put  a  stop  to  the  cotton  traflie  then  carried  on  in  that  neigh- 
borhood with  the  rebels.  In  doing  so,  he  incurred  the  ill-will 
of  Gen.  Gorman,  who  placed  him  under  arrest.  In  January, 
186;],  his  sword  was  returned ;  and  Gen.  Gorman  was  soon 
after  superseded.  The  regiment  was  afterward  engaged  in  an 
expedition  up  White  River,  and  wa.i  i)art  of  the  force  employed 
in  opening  a  pass  to  the  Vazoo  River,  and  similar  duties,  until 
March  1,  afterwards  pi'oceeding  to  Grand  Gulf  and  to  Port 
Gibson,  in  which  they  took  an  active  part  in  the  engagement 
at  that  ])lace.  The  casualties  were  twenty-one  killed,  and 
fifty  wounded.  Shortly  afterwards,  the  battle  of  Chamiaou 
Hills  was  fought ;  and  the  regiment  was  highly  comiiliniented 
for  its  bravery  in  that  battle.  The  regiment  lost  thirty- 
two  killed  and  seventy-nine  wounded  in  this  last  battle.  The 
Twenty-ninth  was  eng:iged  till  the  10th  of  May  in  burying 
the  dead,  collecting  arms,  and  constructing  bowers  for  the 
wounded,  when  they  marched  to  Vicksburg,  and  took  a  posi- 
tion in  the  trenches.  After  the  capture  of  that  place,  the 
brigade  participated  in  the  taking  of  Jackson.  The  regiment 
was  actively  engaged  in  the  fall  of  this  year,  marching  and 
countermarching  on  various  expeditions  along  the  river  to 
Natchez,  thence  to  Carrollton  and  Algiers,  to  Brashier  City,  to 
New  Iberia  and  Yermilionville,  to  Opelousas,  to  Barrs's  Land- 
ing, to  Carrion  Crow  Bayou,  Vermilion  Bayou,  and  Spanish 


000 


BISTORT  OF    fr  I  SCON  a 


Lake.  The  regiment  returned  to  New  Iberia  on  the  17th  of 
November.  From  that  place,  they  movetl  to  Berwick  City 
Dec.  21,  and  by  rail  to  Algiers,  where  the  regiment  was  assigned 
a  place  in  the  Texas  expedition  under  Gen.  C.  C.  Washburn. 

The  Thirtieth  Kcgimcut,  during  18C2,  was  retained  in  the 
State  of  Wisconsin,  in  the  performance  of  duties  pertaining  to 
the  enforcement  of  the  draft.  "  lu  the  month  of  May,  four 
companies  were  sent  to  St.  Louis  as  guards  for  transports  in 
the  Indian  expedition,  under  Gen.  Sully,  in  Avhich  they  were 
engaged  until  April  10.  Two  regiments  were  sent  to  the  Lake 
Superior  country,  Avhere  they  remained  until  Aug.  21 ;  and, 
on  their  return,  were  sent  to  protect  the  enrolling  oiScera  in 
Washington  and  Dodge  Counties.  In  July,  they  were  sent  to 
Lafayette  County  for  the  same  pui'pose ;  and  one  company 
was  sent  to  New  Lisbon,  Juneau  County,  to  protect  the  citizens 
against  threatened  Indian  attacks.  In  August,  a  detachment 
was  sent  to  Brown  County  to  protect  the  enrolling  office.  In 
tliis  and  similar  duties,  tlie  regiment  was  engaged  until  March, 
1864. 

The  Thirty-third  Regiment,  on  the  IBlh  of  April,  1863, 
formed  a  part  of  a  force  of  infantry,  cavalry,  and  artillery, 
under  the  connnand  of  Col.  E.  E.  Bryant  of  the  Twelfth  Wis- 
consin, who  marched  to  Coldwater,  with  a  force  under  Gen. 
Smith,  from  La  Grange.  Reaching  Hernando  after  a  journey  of 
almost  continuous  skirmishing,  the  rebels  were  encountered  ; 
and,  after  a  sharp  fight,  the  enemy  retired,  losing  fifteen  killed, 
and  seventy-five  prisoners.  Pursuing  the  enemy  to  Coldwater 
River,  the  Thirty-third,  opening  a  brisk  and  destructive  fire, 
drove  them  in  confusion  across  the  stream.  '  On  the  17th  of 
May,  they  embarked,  and  i)roceedcd  down  the  river  to  join  the 
army  at  Vicksburg.  The  guerillas  having  fired  into  the 
transports,  the  Thirty-third  and  two  other  regiments  were 
landed,  and  pursued  the  rebels  for  five  miles,  but  did  not  over- 
take them.  Thence  to  Snyder's  Bluff,  where  they  remained 
till  May  2."),  when  they  marched  to  the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  and 
took  position.  This  place  they  kept  until  the  surrender  of  the 
city.  The  regiment  did  much  service  in  the  operations  con- 
nected with  the  siege,  and  took  part  in  the  second  attack  on 
Jackson.     After  a  number  of  skirmishes,  they  moved  down  the 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


501 


river  to  Natchez,  on  the  18th  of  August.  Subsequently  return- 
ing, they  encamped  at  Milldale,  engaged  in  the  usual  routine 
of  camp,  guard,  and  drill  duty,  and  were  thus  engaged  until 
Jan.  31,  18G'l. 

The  Thirty-fourth  Regiment  was  mustered  into  service  by 
companies  for  nine  months.  They  left  the  State  Jan.  31, 
1863,  Col.  Fritz  Anneke  being  in  command.  The  regiment 
arrived  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  in  February,  where  they  remained 
until  the  latter  part  of  August.  Their  term  of  office  having 
expired,  they  returned  to  Camp  Washburn,  Milwaukee,  and 
were  mustered  out  on  Sept.  8.  The  Thirty-fifth  Regiment 
was  mustered  into  service  Nov.  i!7,  1863,  and  the  muster 
completed  Feb.  27,  1864.  The  Thirty-sixth  Regiment  and 
other  regiments  were  not  organized  until  1864. 

The  First  Cavalry  Regiment  in  the  beginning  of  1863  was 
stationed  at  West  Plain,  Pilot  Knob,  St.  Genevieve,  and  Cape 
Girardeau.  The  latter  part  of  May,  it  arrived  at  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  and  on  the  14th  was  assigned  position  in  the  cavalry 
corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  Daring  the  summer, 
it  was  stationed  at  various  places  in  Tennessee,  taking  part 
in  the  general  movement  of  the  army  dui'ing  the  battle 
of  Chickamauga.  They  subsequently  marched  to  Larkins- 
ville,  Ala.  They  were  engaged  actively  in  skirmishing  with 
the  enemy,  at  Anderson's  Gap  capturing  eleven  prisoners ; 
and,  during  the  same  day,  thirty-seven  of  the  enemy  were 
killed  and  wounded,  and  forty-two  made  prisoners.  As  the 
movements  of  cavalry  regiments  were  so  active,  it  is  impossible 
to  give  fuller  particulars  concerning  them.  On  the  14th  of 
January,  lo64,  they  marched  to  and  encamped  near  Dandridge, 
and  were  engaged  next  day  with  the  enemy,  losing  one  man 
wounded. 

The  Second  Cavalry  Regiment  in  February,  1863,  was  at 
^Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  remained  there  until  the  montli  of  May, 
Lieut.-Col.  Thomas  Stephens  in  command.  In  April,  a  detacli- 
ment  took  part  in  the  action  at  Cold  Water,  and  did  very 
active  service.  On  the  10th  of  June,  Major-Gen.  Washburn  was 
placed  in  command  of  all  the  cavalry  forces  at  Memphis,  and 
received  orders  to  report  to  Gen.  Grant  at  Vicksljurg.  On  the 
13th  of  June,  the  regiment  was  at  Snyder's  Bluff,  engaged  in 


602 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


scouting,  up  to  July  4.  On  that  day,  the}'  moved  to  the  forks 
of  Deer  Creek  uud  Bipf  Black  River.  On  tiioir  Avay,  tliey 
received  iiiforniatiou  of  tlie  surrender  of  Vickshurp.  Tliey 
took  jiart  in  (ion.  Sliennaii's  expedition  to  Jackson,  and  on 
their  return  encamped  (June  29),  within  a  short  distance  of 
Redhone  Church.  TIic  Tiiird  Cavalry  was,  in  (he  latter  part 
of  1802,  at  Fort  IJlunt,  and  or.  the  lOlh  of  July,  180^5,  inarched 
Houthward,  luidor  connnand  of  Gen.  Blunt.  The  next  day,  they 
were  cufijaged  in  the  l)attlc  of  Honey  Sjirinjjf,  in  which  the 
rehols  were  utterly  routed,  with  the  loss  of  many  prisoners. 
On  the  IGth  of  August,  they  routed  a  superior  force  of  the 
enemy ;  and,  the  day  ensuin;^,  attacked  a  large  hody  of  rebel 
Choctaw  Indians,  capturing  their  stores,  and  putting  the  whole 
force  to  fli^^ht. 

The  Thirty-first  Regiment  was  fully  organized  at  Prairie  du 
Chien,  and  left  the  Stale  for  service  in  the  field  on  the  1st  of 
Jilarch,  18G'J,  und(>r  orders  to  report  at  Columbus,  Ky.  Pro- 
ceeding by  way  of  Cairo,  111.,  they  arrived  at  Columbus  on  the 
3d,  and  went  into  camp  at  Fort  Ilallcck.  Here  the  regiment 
was  stationed,  and  was  engaged  in  the  performance  of  garrison- 
duty,  until  Sejjt.  24,  when  it  left  Columbus,  with  orders  to 
report  at  Louisville,  Kj.,  which  place  it  readied  on  the  27th. 
On  (ho  otii  of  October,  it  marched  to  L.i  Vergne,  Tenn.,  and 
guarded  the  road  until  the  2oth,  when  it  marched  to  Murirecs- 
borough.  Three  companies  were  detached,  and  stationed  at  a 
point  where  the  railroad  passed  Stone  I'iver.  Here  they  threw 
up  fortifications,  and  guarded  this  important  bridge  dui'ing  the 
winter. 

The  Thirty-second  Regiment,  on  the  7th  of  January,  18G3, 
was  at  Jackson,  and  on  the  2d  of  February  returned  to 
Memphis  where  it  remainid  until  the  third  da}'  of  November, 
engaged  in  juovost-duty.  The  regiment  went  on  an  expedi- 
tion to  (icrmantown  on  the  3d  of  November.  On  the  2()th,  it 
again  left  Mem[)his,  and  proceeded  to  Moscow,  Tenn.,  when 
Col.  J.  H.  Howe  was  placed  in  command  at  the  post.  The 
regiment  remained,  engaged  in  duty  in  Tennessee  and  North- 
ern Mississippi,  looking  after  Gen.  Forrest,  until  Jan.  27,  18G4. 

In  October,  Company  I  was  attacked  by  five  hundred  lebels 
near   Baxter's   Springs,  led  by  the   infamous  Quantrcll,  and 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


A08 


disguised  in  Federal  uniforms.  After  a  bnive  but  ineffectual 
resistance,  the  escort  of  sixty-five  gave  way,  while  Company  I 
held  its  ground,  and  the  fiendish  pursuers  slew  them  without 
mercy.  A  number  were  killed  after  their  surrender,  and  the 
bodies  burned.  Among  the  number  killed,  was  A.  W.  Farr, 
quartermaster  of  the  regiment. 

The  Fourth  Cavalry  was  in  charge  of  Lieut.-Col.  Bailey  on 
the  1st  of  August,  1863,  having  been  changed  from  an  infantry 
to  a  cavalry  regiment.  After  the  organization,  it  was  actively 
engaged  in  scouting,  picketing,  and  foraging  in  the  vicinity  of 
Baton  Rouge,  but  took  no  part  in  pitched  battles.  On  Col. 
Boardman's  arrival,  he  made  a  reconnoissance  of  the  country  ; 
and  Lieut.  Earll,  Avith  a  small  party,  captured  seventeen  of  the 
enemy.  During  the  fall  and  winter  of  1863-64,  their  operations 
were  chiefly  in  the  country  lying  between  the  Comite,  Amite, 
and  Mississippi  River. 

The  thirteen  batteries  of  artillery,  and  four  of  heavy  artillery, 
performed  excellent  and  valuable  services  during  the  year. 
The  limits  of  this  volume  must  be  our  apology  for  not 
noticing  many  of  the  prominent  engagements  or  actions  in 
which  they  participated.  Full  justice  has  been  done  to  these 
artillery  and  infantry  companies  in  tlie  two  Alilitar^-^  His- 
tories of  Wisconsin,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred  for  further 
details. 


CHAPTER   XLVIII. 


AD>ri>ri8TUATI(JN   OF   GOV.   I.KWIS. 


Events  of  lRn4— T/vrislulioii  — AViir  >ri'ii-»iin'S  —  Military  Oporntifins  witliln  the 

Stiitc. 

The  term  of  the  newh'-electecl  State  officers  commenced  on 
Monday,  Jan.  4,  18(J4 ;  at  which  time  Gov.  Salomon  resi;j;ned 
the  duties  of  his  position  to  his  successor,  Hon.  James  T.  Lewis 
of  Coliiml)ia  County.  At  the  lionr  ul  twelve,  Jl.,  on  that 
day,  the  oath  of  oilice  was  a<lministcrcd  in  the  Assembly  Hall 
to  such  State  officers  as  were  in  the  city,  hy  Hon.  Luther  S. 
Dixon,  chief  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court.  A  considcral)le 
number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  were  present  to  witness  the 
ceremony.  Innnediatcly  after  taking  the  oath  of  office.  Gov. 
Lewis  delivered  a  brief  and  patri(itic  inaugural  address.  At 
its  close,  a  s.'dute  of  fifteen  guns  was  fired  in  the  park  by  tlio 
guniuT. 

In  consequence  of  the  blockade  of  the  railroads  by  snow- 
drifts, Lieut. -Gov.  Spooncr,  Attorney-Gen.  Smith,  Haidv  Comp- 
troller Ramsay,  and  State-prison  Commissioner  Cordicr,  were 
not  present.  Gov.  Salomon  was  also  absent,  having  gone  to 
Milwaukee  prior  to  the  1st  of  January,  and  was  not  able  to 
return  on  account  of  the  snow-drifts. 

In  his  inaugural  address.  Gov.  Lewis  pltdged  himself  to  use 
no  patronage  for  a  re-election,  to  administer  the  government 
without  prejudice  or  partiality,  to  observe  economy,  to  promote 
agriculture  and  the  arts,  to  inculcate  morality,  to  foster  educa- 
tion and  benevolence,  and  empluitieally  to  emi)loy  all  his 
exccmive  power  to  supjjress  (he  Rel)ellion,  and  terminate  the 
war. 

Having  previously  served  as  lieutenant-governor  and  secre- 

604 


606 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


tary  of  State,  he  was  well  acquainted  with  the  duties  of  his 
new  office,  and  entered  upon  it  with  ease  and  vigor. 

The  seventeenth  session  of  the  State  legislature  convened 
Jan.  13,  1864,  and  adjourned  April  4,  18G4,  holding  a  session 
of  eighty-three  days. 

The  senate,  after  the  usual  preliminaries  of  presenting  cre- 
dentials, and  taking  the  oath  of  office,  by  the  new  members, 
was  organized  by  Hon.  Wyraan  Spooner,  lieutenant-governor, 
taking  his  seat  as  president,  and  the  election  of  Frank  M. 
Stewart  as  chief  clerk,  and  Nelson  Williams  as  sergeant-at- 
arms ;  and,  in  the  assembly,  W.  W.  Field  was  elected  speaker, 
John  S.  Dean  chief  clerk,  and  A.  M.  Thomson  sergeant-at- 
arms. 

The  governor,  in  his  first  annual  message,  gives  condensed 
statements  of  the  different  funds  of  the  State,  and  a  synopsis 
of  the  reports  of  the  State  officers  and  State  institutions,  from 
which  a  few  extracts  are  taken.  The  receipts  into  the  general 
fund  during  the  previous  fiscal  year  was  $850,376.12.  The 
balance  remaining  in  the  fund  at  the  close  of  this  fiscal  year, 
after  paying  all  demands  against  it,  was  $205,958.61.  The 
receipts  of  the  school-fund  were  $292,423.51.  The  whole 
amount  of  State  indebtedness  on  the  1st  of  January,  1864,  was 
$1,775,000.  The  debt  was  created  pursuant  to  provisions  of 
law  b}*^  the  issue  of  State  bonds  and  certificates  of  indebted- 
ness. 

The  amount  paid  to  families  of  volunteers  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  war  to  Jan.  1,  1864,  was  $1,197,044.70 ; 
amou  it  paid  on  United  States  tax,  $441,735.37  ;  amount  paid 
on  Capitol  enlargement,  $100,000;  amount  advanced  by  the 
State  for  boarding  and  equipping  soldiers,  caring  for  the  sick, 
and  other  war  expenses  not  enumerated,  $200,000. 

The  whole  number  of  persons  in  the  State  between  the  ages 
of  four  and  twenty  years  was  320,965.  Number  of  school- 
districts,  4,7C8 ;  value  of  schoolhouses,  $1,326,753 ;  whole 
amount  raised  for  teachers'  wages,  $334,440.85 ;  total  tax  for 
school-purposes,  $679,000,000.  Number  of  banks  doing  busi- 
ness Oct.  1, 1862,  65  ;  aggregate  capital,  $3,298,000 ;  number  of 
banks  Oct.  1.  1863,  68  ;  aggregate  capital,  $3,488,000;  receipts 
into  the  State  treasury  on  account  of  all  funds  during  the  year, 


niSTOIiY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


607 


$2,658,095.08  ;  and  disbursements,  $2,602,386.25,  Number  of 
patients  in  the  Insane  Hospital,  188  ;  admitted  during  the  3'ear, 
123 ;  appropriations  for  the  institution,  $38,790.90.  Pupils  in 
Deaf  and  Dumb  Institution,  78  ;  expenditures  for  the  institu- 
tion, 1863,  $12,683.81.  Pupils  in  Blind  Institution  in  1863, 
54  ;  expenditures  for  the  institution,  $13,848.13.  Convicts  in 
State-prison,  116  ;  expenses  of  prison,  $35,920.54,  with  an 
indebtedness  of  $9,255.48. 

The  governor  recommended  the  continuance  of  a  generous 
policy  by  the  State  fur  her  citizens  in  the  army  and  their 
families  at  home.  He  recommended  the  completion  of  the 
south  wing  of  the  Capitol  (the  cost  not  to  exceed  thirty  thou- 
sand dollars),  the  immediate  selection  of  the  Agricultural 
College  Lands  donated  to  the  State  by  the  General  Government, 
the  encouragement  of  the  mining  and  agricultural  interests  of 
the  State,  and  suggested  the  propriety  of  further  legislation 
for  the  maintenance  of  the  purity  of  the  ballot-box. 

Of  this  session  of  the  legislature,  one  writer  says,  — 

"  It  was  one  of  the  most  intGlligent  and  harmonious  public  bodies  that 
ever  convened  in  the  State.  Tliere  was  less  political  discussion,  and  fewer 
exhibitions  of  party  feeling,  than  we  have  witues:  -d  in  any  previous  legis- 
lature. The  measure  which  excited  most  public  interest  was  the  pro  rata 
bill.  It  failed  to  pass.  Its  death,  however,  was  not  solely  attributable  to 
railroad  ojiposition.  As  the  subject  was  discussed,  quite  a  powerful  hos- 
tility was  developed  from  sections  of  the  State  interested  in  mifinished  or 
projected  railroads,  and  from  tiie  districts  of  the  State  lying  uix)n  portions 
of  completed  railways  distant  from  the  markets.  These  foiuid,  that,  under 
a  pro  ra/a  bill,  tiioir  freights  were  likely  to  bo  increased  :  the  others  feared 
the  bill  would  retard  and  discourage  the  building  of  roads.  The  agitation 
of  the  subject,  however,  will  not  bo  without  beneficial  result;).  Its  effect 
will  bo  to  restrain  the  railroads  from  adopting  exorbitant  tariffs,  and  will 
exert  a  wholesome  influence,  and  may  render  legislation  unnecessary." 

Among  the  acts  of  a  general  nature  passed  at  this  session, 
except  those  relative  to  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  which  will  be 
referred  to  hereafter,  were,  an  act  to  provide  for  continuing  the 
work  on  tlie  State  Capitol,  bj'^  wliich  the  State  Board  of  Build- 
ing Commissioners  were  authorized  to  conti'act  for  the  comple- 
tion of  the  south  wing  of  the  Capitol  (except  the  finishing  of 
the  basement),  and  for  the  completion  of  the  centre  pnrt  and 
rotunda,  up  to  the  top  of  the  roof  of  the  cast  and  west  wings, 


508 


nrsTonr  of  wiscomm. 


to  be  completed  before  the  thirty-first  day  of  December,  1864 
(the  sura  of  sixty  tlioussand  dollars  was  appropriated  for  the 
same)  ;  an  act  granting  pre-emption  rights  to  occupants  of 
swamp  and  overflowed  lands,  to  establish  lumber  distficts,  and 
to  regulate  the  traffic  in  logs,  timber,  and  lumber,  in  said 
districts ;  an  act  to  guard  against  the  abuse  of  the  elective 
franchise,  and  to  preserve  the  I'urity  of  electors  l)y  a  registra- 
tion of  electors  ;  and  an  act  to  provide  for  levying  a  ^♦•aie  tax 
for  the  year  18G4,  of  two  hundred  and  thirly-j  o  c  and 
dollars. 

The  following  acts  passed  were  relative  to  military  matters : 
three  acts  to  authorize  towns,  cities,  and  villages  to  raise  money 
by  tax  for  the  payment  of  bounties  to  volunteers,  and  to  pro- 
vide for  levying  and  collecting  the  same;  an  act  revising, 
amending,  and  consolidating  all  laws  relative  to  extra  pay  to 
Wisconsin  soldiers  in  the  service  of  the  United  States;  provid- 
ing for  the  relief  of  families ;  providing  for  the  proper  recep- 
tion, by  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  of  volunteers  returning  from 
the  field,  or  service  of  the  United  States  (under  this  law, 
veteran  regiments  returning  home  on  furlough,  or  regiments 
returning  on  expiration  of  term  of  service,  were  received  and 
entertained  b}-  the  State  authorities)  ;  an  act  repealing  the  law 
relative  to  allotment  commissioners  ;  to  autliorize  the  governor 
to  purchase  flags  for  regiments  or  batteries  whose  flags  were  lost 
or  destroyed  in  service ;  an  act  amending  the  law  suspendinsj 
the  sale  of  lands  mortgaged  to  the  State,  or  held  liy  volunteer. 
so  as  to  apply  to  drafted  men  ;  provifling  for  levying  a  State 
tax  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  fu  'lo  support  of  families 
of  the  volunteers  ;  authorizing  the  governor  to  take  care  of  the 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  and  appropriating  ten  thousand 
dollars  for  that  purpose  ;  two  acts  authorizing  the  bon'owing 
of  money  for  repelling  invasion,  suppressing  insurrection,  and 
defending  the  State  in  time  of  war,  —  one  for  three  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  and  the  other  for  three  hundred 
thousand  dollars  ;  an  act  prohibiting  the  taking  of  fees  for  prr.- 
curing  voluntf'or.'.  fxtra  bounty ;  an  act  defining  the  resid'^'Jt 
of  certain  soldiers  from  this  State  in  the  service  of  the  Unii-,c 
States,  who  had  received  local  bounties  from  towns  other  thai, 
their  proper  place  of  residence.     To  summari^   :  forty-three 


I. 
•a? 


or; 


I. 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


509 


laws  ^yere  amendatory  to  general  laws ;  twenty-one  amending 
private  and  local  laws ;  eighteen  amending  the  Revised  Stat- 
utes ;  eighty-five  authorizing  towns  to  pay  bounties  to  soldiers  ; 
ten  charters  for  bridge  ;  thirty  relative  to  courts  ;  twenty-two 
conferring  certain  powers  and  duties  on  the  governor  ;  sixty- 
three  legalizing  bounty-tax  proceedings ;  thirty-three  conferring 
powers  and  duties  on  the  secretary  of  state ;  thirty,  same  on  state 
treasurer ;  and  a  large  number  of  appropriations  and  other  bills. 
On  the  18th  of  February,  1864,  Gov.  Lewis  sent  to  the  legis- 
lature a  message,  and  a  document  from  W.  Y.  Selleck,  military 
agent  of  Wisconsin,  at  Washington,  D.C.,  in  reference  to  the 
establishment  of  a  soldiers'  national  cemetery  at  Gettysburg, 
stating  that  the  governors  of  the  various  States  which  had  lost 
at  that  battle  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  undertaking.  A 
meeting  of  the  governors  was  s''bsequently  had,  and  a  plan  of 
association  fovmed.  The  legislature  of  Wisconsin,  in  aid  of 
this  organizat  on,  appropriated  the  sum  of  §C,52o.  On  the  1st 
of  February,  Pres.  Lincoln  issued  a  call  for  five  hundred 
thousand  volunteers,  Avhich  .vT-s  to  be  considered  as  including 
the  three  hundred  thousand  called  for  on  the  17th  of  October, 
18G3.  At  the  beginning  of  the  year,  the  system  of  extra 
bounties  by  towns  gave  great  impetus  to  recruiting  tor  old  and 
new  organizations ;  so  that  no  draft  under  the  calls  of  Feb.  1 
and  March  14  was  necessary.  The  history  of  the  organization 
of  new  regiments  will  be  noticed  hereafter. 

On  the  21st  of  April,  a  proposition  was  made  to  the  Presi- 
dent by  the  executives  of  the  States  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois, 
Iowa,  and  Wisconsin,  tendering  for  extra  service  eighty-five 
thousand  troops  for  the  term  of  one  hundred  days  ;  tlie  organ- 
izations to  be  governed  by  the  regulations  of  the  war  depart- 
ment. This  proposition  was  accepted  ;  and  Gov.  Lewis  pro- 
ceeded at  once  to  issue  orders  to  carry  out  the  arrangement. 
The  Tliirty-niuth,  Fortieth,  and  Forty-first  Regiments  were 
organized,  and  left  the  State  in  the  middle  of  June  for  !Mein- 
phis,  Tenn.  On  the  18th  of  July,  Pros.  Lincoln  called  for 
five  hundred  thousand  volunteers  for  one,  two,  and  three  years' 
service.  The  quota  of  Wisconsin  was  given  as  19,0;12.  There 
being  a  difl'erence  of  opinion  as  to  tlie  numl)er  of  troops  re- 
quired from  this  State,  Adj.-Gen.  Gaylord  proceeded  to  Wash- 


610 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


ingtou  to  con-nilfc  with  tlio  iiuthorilics  on  the  sunject.  He 
succeeded  in  luingiug  the  (^uuia  to  1"),D41,  being  less  3,G91 
than  the  quota  first  required.  On  the  14tli  of  September,  the 
governor  was  authoiized  to  organize  eiglit  companies  to  com- 
plete the  First  Regiment  of  Heavy  Artillery.  Tiie  companies 
were  soon  full,  and  were  en  route  for  the  field  before  Nov.  12. 
i'hc  quota  (jf  the  State  not  l)eing  filled  by  volunteering,  a  draft 
.ook  place  on  the  19th  of  Seplemb'.r,  which  resulted  as  follows: 
total  number  subject  to  draft,  94,00,);  number  drafted,  17,534; 
mustered  in,  2,494 ;  substitutes  after  draft,  945 ;  discharged 
after  draft,  0,724;  failed  to  report,  7,307;  paid  commutation,  4 ; 
amount  of  commutation,  ^1,200. 


CHAPTER  XLIX, 

■Wisconsin's  war  record. 

Events  of  18(U— Koglmental  History -^Sketches  of  the  First,  Second,  Third, 
Fourtli,  Fiftli,  Sixtli,  Seventli,  Eightli,  Xiiilli,  Tentli,  and  Eleventli  Regi- 
ments—  Tlicir  Operations  in  1804. 

The  following  is  an  historical  record  of  the  marches,  skirm- 
ishes, battles,  and  various  actions  of  the  regiments  during  the 
year  18G4.  The  record  is,  in  many,  instances  based  upon  infor- 
mation compiled  from  tlie  reports  of  the  adjutant-general  and 
the  military  histories  of  the  State. 

The  First  Regiment.  On  the  ISth  of  January,  18G4,  Gen. 
Starkweather  was  ordered  to  Washington  on  court-martial 
duty ;  and  all  his  connection  with  the  First  Wisconsin  ceased. 
The  regiment  accompanied  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  in  February 
1864,  in  the  feint  on  Dalton,  to  favor  Gen.  Sherman's  IMeridiau 
expedition,  and  subsequently  encamped  at  Graysville,  Ga.,  until 
the  2d  of  May. 

In  the  re-organization  of  the  army  in  1864,  the  First  Regi- 
ment, ur^der  the  command  of  Lieut.-Col.  Bingham,  retained  its 
position  in  the  thu-d  brigade,  first  division,  Brig.-Gen.  R.  W. 
Johnson,  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  and  moved  to  Ringgold,  Ga., 
where  the  Fourteenth  Corps  was  concentrating  prejjaratory  to 
the  commencement  of  the  celebrated  Atlanta  campaign. 

On  the  7th  of  May,  the  march  commenced;  and  the  division 
occupied  a  position  in  the  vicinity  of  Dalton,  exposed  to  the 
occasional  fire  of  the  enemy,  until  the  12th,  when  the  Four- 
teenth Corps  marched  to  Resaca  by  Snake  Creek  Gap,  and  took 
position  in  the  iutrenchments  before  that  place.  On  the  14th, 
the  brigade  advanced  to  charge  the  enemy's  works  in  two 
lines,  but,  being  unsupported,  were  unable  to  carry  the  position. 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


fil8 


The  First,  being  in  the  second  line,  suffered  a  loss  only  of 
five  wounded.  The  enemy  evacuated  Resaca  on  the  night  of 
the  15th,  and  were  soon  followed  by  the  Union  forces.  The 
First,  with  the  brigade,  followed  in  the  pursuit,  and  confronted 
the  enemy  at  Pumpkin-vine  Creek,  near  Dallas,  on  the  27th, 
and  on  the  next  day  advanced,  driving  in  the  rebel  skirmishers. 
On  the  80th,  an  attack  was  made  by  a  part  of  Hood's  corps  on 
their  position,  which  was  repulsed  after  a  severe  engagement ; 
the  First  losing  four  killed,  and  twenty-eight  wounded. 

From  the  1st  of  June  till  the  17th,  the  regiment  with  the 
brigade  occupied  several  positions  near  Ackworth,  for  the  most 
of  the  time  in  line  of  battle.  On  the  17th,  they  took  part  in  a 
severe  skirmish  of  the  picket-lines  near  Big  Shanty  ;  and  next 
day  drove  the  enemy's  skirmishers  to  the  main  line,  taking 
many  prisoners.  The  enemy  retreated ;  and  the  army  moved 
forward  in  front  of  their  new  position,  near  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain. Here  they  remained  until  the  3d  of  July,  under  the 
most  terrific  fire  of  artillery  and  sharpshooters,  changing  posi- 
tions frequently,  but  were  not  engaged  in  any  of  the  charging 
columns  which  have  rendered  this  position  famous  for  bloody 
warfare. 

The  Fourteenth  Corps  (including  the  First  Regiment)  moved 
in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  towards  the  Chattahoochee  on  the  5th 
of  July,  and  ^.■as  ordered  to  push  the  enemy  across  the  river, 
which  was  accomplished  without  loss ;  and  advancing,  drove 
the  enemy  to  Peach-tree  Creek,  at  which  place  an  attack 
occurred  on  our  lines  on  the  20th.  In  the  investment  of 
Atlanta,  the  regiment  was  employed  in  fatigue  and  skirmish 
duty  until  Aug.  28,  when  they  left  their  trenches,  and  took  part 
in  the  movement  to  tlie  west  and  south  of  Atlanta.  In  this 
grand  movement,  the  First  Wisconsifi  took  part  in  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  railroad,  and,  on  the  30th  of  August,  moved  on 
towards  Jonesborough,  which  place  they  reached  on  the  1st  of 
September.  Here  a  battle  was  fought  by  the  First  Regiment, 
led  by  Major  Green.  They  went  rapidly  forward  under  a  severe 
fire,  and  drove  the  enemy  from  the  front,  and  held  the  position 
until  dark ;  the  enemy  retiring  to  Lovejoy's  Station.  This  regi- 
ment remained  in  line  of  battle  until  the  6th,  and  returned  to 
Atlanta  on  the  8th  of  September.    The  ciisualties  of  the  regi- 


514 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


ment  in  the  month  of  August  were  two  killed  and  twenty-eight 
wounded.  On  the  1st  of  Septemhcr,  1864,  the  regiment  was 
assigned  to  the  fourth  division ;  and  on  the  21st  it  left  Atlanta, 
moved  to  Bridgeport,  and  thence  to  Nashville,  where  it  went 
into  camp.  The  term  of  service  of  the  regiment  having  ex- 
pired, they  left  Nashville  on  the  6th  of  October,  and  arrived  on 
the  8th  at  Mihvaukce,  where  they  met  with  an  enthusiastic 
reception  on  the  part  of  the  citizens. 

The  Second  Regiment,  including  the  Sixth  and  Seventh  Regi- 
ments, known  as  the  "  Iron  Brigade,"  were  all  returned  from 
furlough  on  the  Ist  of  March,  1864,  and,  in  the  re-organization, 
were  asssigned  as  the  first  brigade  of  the  Fifth  Army  Corps. 
Col.  L.  Fairchild  suffered  the  amputation  of  his  left  arm  ;  and 
he  therefore  resigned  on  the  20th  of  October,  1863.  There  not 
being  a  sufiBcient  number  of  men  in  the  Second  Regiment, 
Lieut.-Col.  Mansfield  was  not  mustered  as  colonel,  although 
appointed.  The  brigade  broke  camp  at  Culpeper  Court  House, 
on  the  3d  of  M.ay,  1864,  and  commenced  the  Wilderness  cam- 
paign. On  the  5lh,  the  division  moved  forward  in  front  of  the 
old  Wilderness  Tavern,  and  soon  encountered  the  enemy  in 
position.  In  this  battle,  the  Second  took  an  active  part ;  and 
all  the  Wisconsin  regiments  suffered  severely  in  this  day's  fight. 
The  battle  Avas  resumed  on  the  6th  in  which  the  division  parti- 
cipated in  the  grand  charge,  forcing  the  enemy  back  until  he 
was  re-enforced  with  artillery,  which  compelled  the  attacking 
force  to  fall  back  in  turn.  In  the  last  assault,  Gen.  Wads- 
worth,  the  division  commander,  was  killed ;  and  Gen.  Cutler 
took  command.  On  the  7th,  a  change  of  pos^ition  was  effected 
in  the  direction  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House ;  the  brigade 
reaching  Laurel  Hill  about  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
the  8th,  having  marched  fifteen  miles.  In  the  engagements 
that  took  place  between  the  8th  and  11th,  the  brigade  took 
an  active  part,  and  lost  many  of  their  number.  On  the  11th, 
the  Second  Regiment  had  become  reduced  below  the  number 
of  a  hundred  men  present  for  duty ;  and,  its  field-officers  being 
in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  it  was  detached  from  the  brigade, 
and  detailed  as  provost-guard  of  the  fourth  division  Fifth  Army 
Corps,  in  consequence  of  which  its  connection  with  the  "  Iron 
Brigade  "  was  thereby  severed.    The  remainder  of  the  brigade 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


fil5 


was  engaged  in  the  subsequent  action,  when  the  whole  corpa 
joined  in  the  movement  to  the  left,  crossed  the  River  Po  twice 
on  the  march ;  and  on  the  14th  they  went  into  position  behind 
works,  a  mile  and  a  half  from  Spottsylvania  Court  House. 
Subsequently,  they  marched  south-easterly,  and  followed  the 
retreating  enemy  as  far  as  Wolfs  Church ;  crossed  the  North 
Anna  River,  at  Jericho  Ford,  where  another  action  was  had ; 
and  the  brigade  succeeded  in  driving  the  enemy  back  half  a 
mile.  After  some  skirmishing,  they  marched  to  Magnolia 
Church.  On  the  28th  they  crossed  Pamunkey  River,  near 
Newcastle,  and  on  the  1st  of  June  took  position  near  Bethesda 
Church.  Here  the  di\'ision  remained,  when  it  moved  to  Cold 
Harbor  and  to  Chickahominy.  The  casualties  from  May  5  to 
June  10  are  reported :  Second  Regiment,  killed,  ten  ;  wounded, 
seventy-three ;  Sixth  Regiment,  killed,  forty-four ;  wounded, 
one  hundred  and  ten  ;  Seventh  Regiment,  killed,  ninety-two  ; 
wounded,  one  hundred  and  eighty-four. 

On  the  10th  of  June,  the  Second  Regiment,  having  served 
the  time  of  their  enlistment,  embarked  for  Washington,  D.C., 
and  thence  to  Madison,  where  they  arrived  June  18,  and  the  last 
company  was  mustered  out  July  2.  Thus  this  pioneer  three- 
years'  regiment  closed  its  honorable  and  brilliant  service,  and, 
with  the  gallant  Sixth  and  Seventh  veteran  Regiments,  estab- 
lished a  reputation  equal  to  the  best  troops  in  the  world. 

Continuing  our  narrative  of  the  Iron  Brigade,  we  find,  that, 
on  the  12th  of  June,  they  crossed  the  Chickahominy,  and 
marched  to  James  River,  and  proceeded  to  Petersburg,  where 
they  erected  breastworks  on  the  17th  of  June.  In  the  engage- 
ments at  this  place,  the  Sixth  and  Seventh  suffered  terribly. 
The  Seventh  lost  twenty-one  killed  and  thirty-seven  wounded. 
The  Sixth  lost  seventeen  killed  and  thirty-one  wounded. 
From  this  time  to  July  30,  the  division  and  brigade  were 
constantly  engaged  in  the  duties  of  the  siege,  and  took  part 
in  the  operations  connected  with  the  explosion  of  the  mine. 
On  the  18th  of  August,  they  left  Petersburg,  and  marched  to 
Yellow  House,  near  Reams  Station,  on  the  Weldon  Railroad ; 
and,  at  the  acti  ■!  at  the  last-named  place,  the  Seventh  captured; 
twenty-seven  prisoners  without  sustaining  any  loss.  Until 
Oct.  27,  the  brigade  was  engaged  in  siege-duties,  when  they 


516 


HISTORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


were  transferred  to  Crawford's  third  division,  and  took  a  part 
in  the  engiicjcMiient  at  Hatcher's  Run.  Siil)sequenily  they 
returned  to  tiicir  position  in  tho  trenches  at  Petersburg,  where 
the}-  rejiiuiiK'd  until  Felt.  0,  l.SG.j. 

Tiie  Tiiird  Regiment  was  encamped  at  Fayetteville  on  the 
13th  of  Feln'uavy,  1804.  During  the  winter,  tliey  were  joined 
by  recruits,  increasing  their  number  to  five  hunfh'cd  and 
seventy -five.  t)n  the  re-organization  of  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland, in  April,  the  Third  was  placed  in  the  second  bri- 
gade of  the  first  division.  The  regiment  joined  its  brigade 
in  Georgia,  May  12,  and,  on  the  liJth,  took  position  in 
front  of  the  enemy  at  Resaca.  On  the  15th,  they  took 
part  in  tlie  battle,  and  took  forty  prisoners.  The  casual- 
ties were  ten  killed  and  nineteen  wounded.  After  a  long 
march,  on  the  2oth,  the  brigade  formed  in  a  line  of  battle 
at  the  crossing  of  the  Marietta,  Pallas,  and  Acworth  Roads. 
Here  a  severe  struggle  ensued;  and  the  Third  fought  nobly, 
though  half  the  regiment  were  new  recruits.  At  this  battle, 
the  wisualties  were,  eighteen  killed  and  ninety-two  wound- 
ed :  among  the  latter  was  Col.  William  ^lawley.  The  Third 
remained  in  position  near  the  battle-field  until  June  3,  when 
they  moved  forward,  and  on  the  11th  were  at  Pine  Knob, 
where  the  enemy  was  strongly  intrenched.  But  they  left 
during  the  night,  and  abandoned  Kcnesaw  Jlountain;  and 
the  division  followed  his  retreat  to  the  Chattahoochee  River. 
Advancing,  the  regiment,  on  the  22d,  took  position  ojiposite 
Atlanta,  where  they  remained  until  Aug.  25.  That  city  was 
evacuated  on  the  1st  of  September;  and  our  forces  marched 
through  the  city,  and  encamped  near  the  Augusta  Railroad  on 
the  2d.  Here  the  regiment  remained  until  Nov.  lo,  when  it 
accompanied  the  Twentieth  Corps  on  the  march,  under  Gen. 
Sherman,  towards  Savannah.  Arriving  at  Milledgeville,  Col. 
Hawley  wa.s  ordered  to  occupj'  it  with  his  regiment  and  the 
One  hundred  and  Seventh  New  York,  which  he  did  until  the 
30th.  ( )n  the  12th  of  December,  the  regiment  succeeded  in 
capturing  the  rebel-armed  tender  "  Resolute,"  w\th  its  entire 
crew.  At  Argyle  Island  in  the  Savannah  River,  a  large  quantity 
of  stores  were  captured.  Subsequently  five  companies  crossed 
to  the  South  Carolina  shore,  driving  the  enemy  before  them, 


518 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


penetrating  inland  two  miles,  where  the  enemy  were  met  in 
strong  force,  and  tliu  companies  returned  to  the  island,  and 
thence  to  the  Georgia  shore,  where  tliey  went  into  camp. 

The  Fourth  Regiment,  by  special  order  of  the  war  depart- 
ment, was,  on  the  1st  of  September,  18G3,  changed  to  a  cavalry 
regiment.  The  balance  of  the  history  of  th  Fourth  will 
be  completed  under  the  head  of  cavalry  organizations. 

The  Fifth  Regiment,  during  the  winter  of  1803-64,  were  at 
Brandy  Stations  ;  and  some  two  hundred  and  four  veterans 
re-enlisted.  After  a  visit  to  Wisconsin,  they  returned  in  time 
for  the  spring  campaign.  The  regiment  left  camp  May  4,  1864, 
and  took  part  in  the  Wilderness  campaign.  They  c  ^d  the 
Rapidan  at  Germania  Ford,  marched  eighteen  mil  1  biv- 

ouacked.    They  followed  the  movements  of  the  S  ^orps, 

and  were  engaged  in  the  various  actions  from  the  7th  to  the 
11th  of  May.  After  leaving  Spottsylvania,  they  engaged  in 
destroying  the  Virginia  Central  Railroad,  and  advanced  to  Cold 
Harbor,  arriving  Juno  1.  They  took  part  in  the  charge  on 
the  enemy's  works  at  Cold  Harbor,  capturing  the  intrench- 
ments  with  a  number  of  prisoners.  Tliey  remained  here  until 
the  12th,  constantly  exposed  to  the  enemy's  fire,  when  they 
marched  to  and  crossed  James  River,  and  took  their  position  in 
the  trendies  before  Petersburg.  In  the  charge  of  the  22d,  they 
participated,  proceeding  on  the  29th  to  Reams  St^ition,  where 
they  engaged  in  fatigue  and  picket  duty  until  July  11. 

The  casualties  for  May  and  June  were,  forty-eight  killed 
or  died  of  wounds,  and  one  hundred  and  forty-four  wounded. 
The  Fifth  accompanied  the  movement  of  the  Sixth  Corps  to 
Washington  to  assist  in  the  defence  of  that  city,  arriving  on 
the  12th;  on  which  day,  the  three-years  term  of  non-veterans 
having  expired,  they  volunteered  for  the  defence  of  the  capital. 
The  danger  having  passed,  they  left,  on  the  IGth,  for  Wash- 
ington, and  arrived  at  Madison  on  the  22d,  where  they  received 
a  hearty  welcome  from  the  State  authorities,  and  were  finally 
mustered  out  on  the  3d  of  August.  Thus  ended  the  service  of 
the  original  Fifth  Regiment. 

The  re-enlisted  veterans  and  recruits  were  organized  into  an 
independent  battalion  of  three  companies,  under  the  com- 
mand of  C.  W.  Kempf  of  Company  A,   Capt.  J.  H.  Cook, 


ninTORY  OF  wrscoysiiV. 


519 


Company  B,  and  Capt.  M.  L.  Biitterfickl,  Company  C.  On 
the  l;Uh  of  July,  tlu>y  niDved,  with  the  Sixth  Corps,  to  the 
Shonandoah  Valley,  in  pursuit  oi  the  enemy,  participating  in 
the  engagement  at  Snickers  Gap.  On  the  18th,  tiiey  returned 
to  Washingtoi, ,  and,  on  the  iJOth,  they  [)roceeded  to  Harper's 
Ferry,  and  uuited  with  the  movements  of  the  Sixth  Corps, 
participating  in  the  action  at  Charleston,  having  one  man 
wounded.  They  remained  at  Charleston,  performing  picket 
and  guard  duty,  until  the  iHth  of  Sejptember,  when  they  moved 
forward,  and  took  part  in  the  hattle  of  Cedar  Creek,  losing 
four  killed,  and  eleven  wounded  ;  and  afterwards,  with  the 
brigade,  they  went  to  Winchester  in  tlio  performance  of  gar- 
rison-duty. 

On  the  muster-out  of  service  of  the  "  Old  Fifth,"  Gov. 
Lewis  atithorized  its  re-organization,  and  recommissioned 
Thomas  S.  Allen  as  colonel.  Under  his  supervision,  seven 
companies  were  rapidly  recruited,  organized,  and  mustered  into 
the  United  States  service,  and  left  the  State  on  the  2d  of 
October,  18G4.  They  arrived  at  Washington,  received  arms, 
and  were  sent  to  Alexandria,  where  they  remained,  doing 
provost-duty,  until  Oct.  20,  when  they  proceeded,  by  way 
of  Martinsburg  and  Winchester,  to  Cedar  Creek,  where  they 
joined  the  battalion  and  the  forces  under  Gen.  Sheridan,  and 
remained  at  that  place  until  Dec.  2.  They  rejoined  the  forces 
under  Gen.  Grant,  in  the  trenches  Sefore  Petersburg,  on 
the  4th  of  December,  where  they  remiiiued  until  the  5th  of 
February,  18G5,  when  they  took  part  in  the  extension  of  the 
lines  at  Dabney's  Mills  on  Hatcher's  Run,  suffering  little  loss, 
being  held  in  the  reserve. 

The  Eighth  Regiment,  on  the  2Tth  of  January,  18G4, 
proceeded  to  Vieksburg,  by  way  of  Memphis,  and  encamped 
near  Black-river  Bridge  on  the  3d  ot  February.  They  took 
part  in  Sherman's  famous  Meridian  expedition,  marching  as  far 
as  Canton,  Miss.,  and  returning  to  Black-river  Bridge,  thence 
to  Vieksburg,  on  the  5th  of  March.  Here  the  regiment 
consented  to  remain,  and  take  part  in  Gen.  Smith's  projected 
expedition  up  the  river  to  co-operate  with  Gen.  Banks.  The 
regiment  expected  to  be  sent  home  on  veteran  furlough,  but 
remained  at  the  especial  request  of  Gen.  Shermim.    Leaving 


520 


BISTORT  OF  WISCO!i'Siy. 


Vicksbuig  March  10,  they  passed  down  the  Mississippi,  and 
up  the  Red  River,  to  Simmsport,  and  landed.  The  brigade 
advanced,  and  charged  upon  the  rebels  at  Fort  Scurvy,  captur- 
ing several  prisoners,  and  some  military  stores.  Continuing  up 
the  river,  they  attacked  and  captured  Fort  de  Russy,  after  a 
short  resistance.  Here  they  were  joined  by  the  fleet,  when 
they  proceeded  to  Alexandria,  and  thence  to  Henderson  Hill, 
where  they  found  the  rebels  posted  with  artillery.  A  detour 
of  fifteen  miles  was  made  in  order  to  attack  the  enemy  on  the 
rear.  About  midnight.  Gen.  Mower  succeeded  in  capturing  the 
whole  rebel  force  (three  hundred  and  fifty  strong),  with  four 
guns  and  four  hundred  horses,  and  other  munitions  of  Avar. 
After  a  number  of  marches,  with  Gen.  Smith's  army  and  a  part 
of  Gen.  Banks's  force,  they  received  the  attack  of  the  enemy, 
and,  after  four  hours'  hard  fighting,  drove  him  from  the  field. 
Our  forces  subsequently  retreated  to  Grand  Encore,  and 
thence  to  Alexandria.  The  Eighth  participated  in  an  action  at 
Natchitoches,  and  also  at  Cloutierville,  where  the  rebels  were 
driven  back  in  confusion.  On  the  4th  of  May,  the  Eighth 
were  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  drove  the  enemy  ten  miles. 
At  Bayou  La  Moore,  the  enemy  annoyed  them  by  continuous 
artillery  and  musketry  fire.  They  also  took  part  in  an  action 
at  Mansura,  and  also  Calhan's  Plantation,  and  Bayou  De 
Glaize ;  after  which  Gen.  Smith's  army  returned  to  the 
mouth  of  Red  River,  and,  embarking,  reached  Vicksburg  on 
the  24th,  and  went  into  camp.  The  rebels  having  attempted 
to  blockade  the  Mississippi  at  Columbia,  Ark.,  on  the  Cth  of 
June,  Gen.  Smith  sent  forward  a  division  of  fifteen  hundred 
infantry,  and  a  battery  in  charge  of  Gen.  Mower.  The  enemy 
were  found,  and  an  engagement  ensued.  The  enemy  were 
driven  from  their  position,  and  pursued  several  miles.  In  this 
action,  known  as  tlie  "  Battle  of  Chicot,"  the  regi.neut  had 
three  killed,  and  sixteen  wounded.  The  command  proceeded 
up  the  river  to  Memphis,  and  went  into  camp.  Here  the 
veterans  were  allowed  to  proceed  to  Wisconsin  on  thirty  days' 
furlough.  The  remainder  of  the  regiment  moved  to  La 
Grange,  and  in  July  took  part  in  the  expedition  into  Missis- 
sippi, and  participated  in  the  engagements  near  Tupelo.  They 
returned  to  Memphis  after  a  march  of  two  hundred  and  sixty 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


521 


miles.  Here  they  were  rejoined  by  the  regiment  from  veteran 
furlough.  Subsequently  the  Eighth  marched  from  Memphis 
to  Mississippi  with  the  forces  of  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith.  On  the 
2d  of  September,  they  proceeded  to  White  River  and  to  Duvall's 
Bluff,  thence  to  Brownsville,  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Price,  and 
reached  Cape  Girardeau  Oct.  1.  On  the  5th,  they  left  for 
St.  Louis,  where  the  regiment  was  newly  clothed  and  equipped. 
Re-embarking  on  transports,  they  reached  Jefferson  City,  and 
thence  to  Lamoine  Bridge.  From  this  place,  they  were  assigned 
on  the  expeditionary  army  against  Gen.  Price  through  Kansas. 
Learning  of  the  defeat  and  dispersion  of  Price's  forces,  they 
returned,  reaching  Benton  Barracks  Nov.  15.  On  the  23d 
of  November,  they  proceeded  to  Nashville  to  re-enforce  Gen. 
Thomas,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  on  the  loth  and  16th  of 
December.  In  this  action,  the  regiment  captured  a  six-gun 
battery,  about  four  hundred  prisoners,  and  two  stands  of  colors. 
Their  losses  were,  killed,  ten ;  wounded,  fifty-two.  The 
regiment  joined  in  tlie  pursuit,  marching  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles,  and  finally  encamped  at  Clifton,  Teun.,  on  the  22d  of 
January,  1865. 

The  Ninth  Regiment  was  at  Little  Rock,  Jan.  1,  1864  ;  and 
two  hundred  and  thirty  re-enlisted  men  returned  to  Wisconsin 
on  furlough  early  in  February. 

The  regiment  participated  in  the  Red-river  Expedition,  and 
was  assigned  to  the  first  brigade.  Tlicy  left  Little  Rock 
March  23  ;  and  nothing  occurred  of  note  until  the  1st  of  April. 
A  number  of  engagements  took  place  until  the  24th,  when 
they  camped  at  White  Oak  Creek.  On  the  15th,  another 
engagement  took  place ;  and  the  enemy  were  driven  back,  when 
the  brigade  entered  Camden.  Up  to  '  iie  23d,  the  Ninth  was 
detailed  to  guard  the  bridge  across  the  Washita  River.  At  Jen- 
kins's Ferry  the  brigade  was  re-enforced,  as  Gen.  Kirby  Smith 
of  the  rebel  army  was  near  with  an  army  of  twenty  thousand. 
Here  a  battle  was  fought,  and  the  regiment  fougiit  bravely. 
The  casualties  were,  killed,  forty-seven ;  wounded,  fifty-two. 
After  the  battle,  the  regiment  returned  to  Little  Rock.  Two 
companies  were  absent  on  furlough  during  the  Camden  cam- 
paign. On  their  return,  two  other  companies  were  sent  home 
on  veteran  furlough ;  and  on  Nov.  17,  the  non-veterans  whose 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


terms  of  office  had  expired  were  mustered  out,  together  with  a 
portion  of  the  commissioned  officers ;  and  the  veterans  and 
recruits  were  consolidated  into  an  independent  battaUon  of 
four  companies  as  veterans,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.-Col. 
Jacohi.  The  non-veterans  returned  to  Milwaukee,  where  they 
were  cordially  received,  paid  off,  and  disbanded. 

The  Tenth  Regiment  was  at  Chattanooga  in  the  winter 
of  1863-G4.  In  February,  they  took  part  in  the  feint  on 
Dalton,  Ga.  Thence  they  removed  to  Tynor  Station,  on  tlie 
East  Tennessee  and  Georgia  Railroad,  and  were  employed  in 
•railroad  guard-duty  until  May  24.  In  tlie  re-organization  of  the 
army  in  1804,  the  Tenth  was  in  the  first  brigade,  Gen.  Carlin, 
of  the  first  division.  Eighty-five  recruits  joined  in  the  spring, 
which,  with  the  remnant  of  the  regiment  left  after  the  battle 
of  Cliickamauga,  letc  but  a  small  command.  They  rejoined  the 
brigade  near  Dallas,  and  took  part  in  tlie  battles  of  Dallas, 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  Peach-tree  Creek.  After  the  I'attle 
at  the  last-named  place,  the  Tenth  was  sent  forward  toward 
Chattahoochee.  Shortly  after  the  arrival  of  the  en(;my  befiu-e 
Atlanta,  the  regiment  was  detached  from  the  brigade,  and 
stationed  at  Marietta,  Ga.,  where  tiiey  remained  until  Oct.  3, 
when  they  were  ordered  to  occupy  the  old  rifle-pits  near 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  guard  the  road  at  that  point  from  the 
depredations  of  Gen.  Hood,  who  anus  then  marching  north. 
Hei'O  they  remained  until  Oct.  IG,  when  the  recruits  and 
re-enlisted  men  were  transferred  by  the  war  department  to  the 
Twenty-first  Regiment ;  and  the  remainder  of  the  Tenth 
started  northward,  passed  through  Nashville,  and  reached 
Milwaukee  on  the  2")tli,  where  they  were  subseque  tly  mus- 
tered out  of  service.  Tliose  who  were  taken  prisoners  at 
Chickamauga  remained  in  reljcl  prisons  for  thirteen  months,  and 
many  of  them  were  not  exchanged  until  JMareh,  18G') ;  while 
not  a  few  were  destined  to  become  martyrs  in  the  rebel  prison- 
pens  at  Salisbury,  Millen,  and  Andersonville. 

The  Eleventh  Regiment  remained  on  duty  in  the  vicinity  of 
Matagorda  Bay  and  Indianola  until  tlic  11th  of  February,  18G4, 
when  upwards  of  three-fourths  of  their  number  having  re-en- 
listed, the  regiment  was  mustered  as  a  veteran  organization. 
The  non-veterans  were  temi)orarily  transferred  to  the  Twenty- 


bU 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


third  Regiment ;  and  the  remainder  embarked  for  New  Orleans, 
on  their  way  on  veteran  furlough.  They  reached  Madison  on 
the  21st  of  March,  where  they  were  welcomed  by  the  State 
authorities,  and  received  a  new  set  of  colors.  On  the  23d  of 
April,  the  men  re-assembled  at  Camp  Washburn,  Milwaukee, 
and  again  left  the  State,  reaching  Memphis  on  the  29th.  Here 
they  took  part  in  Gen.  Sturgis's  expedition  into  Western 
Tennessee  and  Northern  Mississippi,  also  participated  in  that 
general's  skirmish  with  Forrest's  cavalry,  and  returned  to 
Memphis  on  the  abandonment  of  the  expedition.  From 
Memphis,  they  moved  down  the  river  to  Carrollton,  whence 
they  proceeded  to  Brashear  City,  where  they  arrived  May  19. 
The  regiment  remained  here  until  Fel).  26,  18G5.  During  its 
occupation  here,  for  nine  months,  the  Eleventh  Regiment  was 
employed  in  the  usual  guard  and  outpost  duty,  and  in  making 
reconnoissances  in  the  surrounding  country.  The  non-veterans 
of  the  Eleventh  arrived  at  Madison  on  the  25th  of  October, 
1864,  and  were  mustered  out  of  service. 


CHAPTER   L. 

Wisconsin's  war  eecord. 

Events  of  18G4,  contimieil— Regiinental  History  —  Aniiy  Movements  —  Battle- 

Field  Incidents. 

The  Twelfth  Regiment  in  January,  1864,  was  at  Hebron, 
near  Natchez.  In  February,  it  took  p;irt  in  Sherman's 
Meridian  Expedition.  At  Baker's  Creek,  the  Twelfth  fought 
nobly,  and  were  highly  complimented  by  the  division  com- 
mander. They  assisted  in  the  taking  of  Jackson,  destroyed 
the  ddpots  and  bridges  at  Brandon,  and  had  a  skirmish  at 
Decatur,  and  from  thence  proceeded  to  Meridian,  and 
captured  the  town  of  Enterprise,  twenty  miles  south,  on  the 
Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad,  destroying  it  with  its  depots, 
machine-shops,  &c.  (^n  the  17th  of  February,  they  destroyed 
a  long  bridge  at  Quitman,  returning  to  Meridian,  tearing  up  the 
railroad-track  as  ihey  returned.  The  expedition  returned  to 
Vicksburg.  While  near  Canton,  the  regiment  liad  a  skirmish 
with  the  rebels,  driving  them  three  miles  without  loss.  On  the 
4th  of  March  they  re-entered  their  camp.  On  this  trip  they 
marched  four  hundred  and  sixteen  miles  in  thirty-one  days. 

The  veterans  of  the  regiment  on  the  13th  of  March  left  for 
Wisconsin  on  veteran  furlough,  and  arrived  at  Madison  March 
21,  where  they  were  pul)licly  received  by  the  State  authori- 
ties and  the  members  of  the  legislature ;  and  on  the  31st 
dispersed  to  their  several  homes  on  furlough.  In  the  month 
of  April,  Gen.  Sherman  ordered  all  soldiers  on  furlough,  veter- 
ans and  non-veterans,  to  join  him  in  Tennessee.  Accordingly, 
on  the  30th  of  that  month,  the  Twelfth  proceeded  to  Cairo, 
where  they  were  joined  by  the  non-veterans  from  camp  near 
Vicksburg.     Accompanying  the  forces  of  Gen.  Gresham,  the 

626 


526 


HISTORY  OF   WrSCONSIS. 


regiment  proceeded  up  the  Tennessee  River,  and  landed  at 
Clifton,  Tenn.,  and,  on  the  14th,  marched  by  Huntsville  and 
Decatur,  Ala.,  to  Rome,  Ga.,  nearly  three  hundred  miles,  and 
joined  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  at  AcAvorth,  Ga.,  on  the  8th 
of  June.  On  the  10th,  the  division  took  its  place  in  the  ad- 
vance, and  on  the  11th  arrived  within  two  miles  of  the  enemy's 
position  at  the  base  of  Kenesaw  iMountain,  and  began  throwing 
up  intrenchments.  On  the  14th,  another  line  of  breastworks 
was  thrown  up  nearer  the  enemy,  about  a  thousand  yards  from 
the  enemy's  rifle-pits ;  and  on  the  15th  an  engagement  took 
place,  and  the  regiment  succeeded  in  driving  a  brigade  out  of 
their  rifle-pits,  and  holding  the  ground,  in  face  of  all  opposi- 
tion, for  twenty  minutes,  with  a  force  of  only  a  hundred  and 
fifty  men.  In  this  action,  the  regiment  lost  two  killed  and 
twenty  wounded.  On  the  2d  of  Jul)"^,  the  regiment  took  a 
position  on  the  Chattahoochee,  forcing  the  enemy  across  the 
stream  to  his  main  works.  On  the  12th,  the  regiment  was 
transferred  to  the  third  division  (Gen.  Leggett),  and,  accompa- 
nying the  division,  passed  through  Decatur  July  20,  and  took 
position  on  the  south  side  of  the  Augusta  Railroad,  eighty 
iOds  from  the  rebel  intrenchments.  Here  a  severe  battle  was 
hai^  the  Twelfth  and  the  division  fighting  bravely.  In  fifteen 
min  ites,  out  of  less  than  six  hundred  men  engaged,  they  lost 
one  hundred  and  thirty-four  killed  and  wounded,  and  captured 
mo  :q  small-arms  than  they  had  men  engaged ;  many  of  them 
loaded  and  capped.  Five  color-bearers  were  shot,  and  the  two 
flagstaffs  were  shot  off.  '  The  next  day,  the  fighting  was 
resumed  ;  and  the  first  brigade  fought  nobly.  Engagements 
took  place  until  the  1st  of  September.  On  the  6th  they 
marched  towards  Atlanta,  and  encamped  near  Eastport  on  the 
8th  of  that  month.  The  casualties  from  July  28  to  Sept.  10 
were  nine  killed  and  thirty  wounded. 

On  the  12th  of  October,  the  regiment  with  its  valiant  colonel, 
George  E.  Bryant,  marched  with  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps, 
in  search  of  the  rebel  general.  Hood.  The  pursuit  was  con- 
tinued until  Oct..  21,  when  the  regiment  went  into  camp  at 
Little  River,  Ala.  Here  orders  were  received  that  the  non- 
veterans  whose  terms  of  service  expired  before  Nov.  7  should 
return  to  Chattanooga,  and  be  mustered  out.    Four  officers  and 


niBTOnr  of  Wisconsin. 


527 


eighty-three  men  of  the  old  Twelfth  responded  to  this  order. 
The  remainder  of  the  regiment  moved  to  Marietta  and  to  At- 
lanta, and  on  the  loth  commenced  the  grand  march  to  Savan- 
nah, and,  with  tlie  rest  of  tlie  arm)%  entered  that  city  on  the 
21st  of  Decemher. 

The  Thirteenth  Regiment  arrived  at  Janesville,  Wis.,  on 
the  18th  of  January,  1864,  and  was  warmly  welcomed  and 
hospitably  entertained  by  the  people  of  the  city,  and  from 
the  adjacent  country,  who  had  assembled  to  greet  them.  The 
regiment  re-assembled  at  Camp  Utley,  Racine,  on  the  expira- 
tion of  their  fiirlough,  and  proceeded  to  Nashville  on  the 
31st  of  March,  encamping  at  Edgefield,  engaged  in  guarding 
trains  from  Louisville  to  Chattanooga.  Here  they  were  as- 
signed to  first  brigade,  fourth  division,  and  designed  to  operate 
against  Atlanta ;  but  their  destination  was  changed,  and  the 
brigade  assigned  the  duty  of  guarding  the  Tennessee  River 
between  Stevenson  and  Decatur.  On  the  4th  of  June,  they 
marched  to  Claysvillc,  Ala.,  and  erected  earthworks;  and,  while 
here,  they  made  fi-cquent  excursions  across  the  river,  capturing 
prisoners,  and  seizing  confederate  stores,  with  several  skir- 
mishes with  guerillas  and  rebel  outposts.  From  this  place,  they 
proceeded  to  Woodville,  and  thence  to  Huntsville,  where  Col. 
Lyon  was  placed  in  command  of  all  troops  and  railroad 
defences  from  Huntsville  to  Stevenson,  a  distance  of  sixty 
miles.  During  most  of  the  summer,  and  into  September,  much 
sickness  prevailed  in  the  regiment ;  and,  on  Oct.  1,  the  balance 
of  tlie  regiment  proceeded  to  Larkinsville,  and  returned  to 
Huntsville,  and  thence  to  Decatur. 

One  hundred  and  sixty  of  the  non-veterans,  including  the 
lieutenant-colonel  and  several  officers,  were  mustered  out  on 
the  expiration  of  their  term  of  office.  On  the  23d  of  Novem- 
ber, they  iiroceeded  to  New  IMarkct,  where  they  dispersed  the 
Fourth  Alabama  Cavalry,  destroying  their  camps  and  provis- 
ions, and  killing  and  wounding  thirteen.  The  Thirteenth 
remained  at  Stevenson  until  Hood's  defeat  at  Nashville,  when 
they  returned  to  Huntsville,  resuming  duty  on  the  railroad, 
repairing  and  rebuilding  defences.  On  the  31st  of  December, 
Company  G,  stationed  at  Paint  Rock  Bridge,  was  suddenly 
assailed  by  about  four  hundred  rebels ;   and  Lieut.  Wagoner 


528 


niBTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


and  thirty-five  men  were   captured,  and   two   were    severely 
wounded. 

The  Fourteenth  Regiment  came  to  Wisconsin  on  veteran 
furlough  in  January,  18G4,  and  was  ordered  to  rendezvous 
at  Camp  Washburn,  Milwaukee ;  hut  owing  to  the  severe 
snow-storms  Avhich  blocked  the  railroads,  and  impeded  the 
general  travel,  many  of  the  men  failed  to  report  promptly  on 
the  day  their  furloughs  expired.  A  peremptory  order  to  the 
colonel  to  rejoin  the  corps  at  Vieksburg  compelled  him  to 
leave  with  only  a  portion  of  his  command.  The  regiment 
arrived  at  Vieksburg  just  in  time  to  participate  in  the 
ill-fated  Red  River  Expedition.  The  regiment  was  not  in 
a  fit  condition  to  take  the  field,  but  twenty-five  hundred 
men  were  to  be  made  up  from  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps, 
to  be  composed,  as  far  as  possible,  of  troops  that  had  not 
accompanied  Gen.  Sherman  on  his  Meridian  Expedition,  from 
which  he  had  just  returned.  The  Fourteenth  was,  therefore, 
included  in  the  quota  of  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  and  was 
assigned  to  a  provisional  division  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Thomas  K.  Smith.  Accompanying  the  command,  the  expe- 
dition proceet'  1  down  the  Mississippi,  and  up  the  Red 
River.  The  Fuartcenth  was  present  at  the  capture  of  Fort  de 
Russey,  on  the  14th  of  ISIarch,  and,  on  the  advance  of  Gen. 
Banlvs  above  Alexandria,  proceeded  to  Bayou  Cotile,  and 
thence  by  transports  to  Grand  Encore.  From  thence  they 
went  to  Shreveport,  from  Avhich  place  they  were  ordered  to 
return  to  Grand  Encore.  On  the  12th,  the  fleet  Avas  attacked 
by  the  enemj-  in  force  at  Pleasant  Hill  Landing.  A  severe  fight 
ensued,  lasting  an  hour,  in  which  the  enemy  was  repulsed  with 
great  slaughter.  The  army  proceeded  to  Alexandria,  halting 
till  the  dam  could  be  built  by  Col.  Bailey  to  enable  the  gun- 
boats to  pass  the  rapids.  The  Fourteenth  took  part  in  the 
engagements  at  Cloutierville,  Marksville,  and  Yellow  Bayou, 
and  in  several  minor  skirmishes.  With  the  rest  of  Gen  Smith's 
command,  the  Fourteenth  proceeded  to  the  mouth  of  Red 
River,  and  thence  up  the  Mississippi  to  Vieksburg,  where  it 
arrived  on  the  22d.  That  portion  of  the  regiment  which  was 
left  at  Washington  reached  Vieksburg,  six  days  after  the 
departure  of  the  regiment,  in  the  Red  River  division.    It  moved 


630 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


up  the  river,  and  subsequently  joined  Gen,  Slierman's  Grand 
Aimy  at  Acwortli  in  the  month  of  June,  and  performed  gallant 
service  in  the  campaign  against  Atlanta. 

It  became  known  as  "  Worden's  Battalion,"  and  was  com- 
posed of  Company  E,  and  portions  of  each  of  the  nine  other 
companies  of  the  regiment.  The  fragments  of  companies 
rejoined  their  regiment  at  Nashville,  in  November,  18(J4.  The 
regiment  moved  to  Memphis  in  May,  and  in  July  toolv  part  in 
the  "  Tupelo  Expedition  "  under  the  command  of  Gen.  A.  J. 
Smith.  On  the  loth,  the  train  was  attacked  by  a  brigade  of 
the  enemy's  cavalry,  but  were  repulsed  by  tlie  Fourteenth  and 
Thirty-third  Wisconsin  Regiments.  Tlio  Fourteenth  toolc  part 
in  the  battle  of  Tupelo  on  the  14th,  wliich  resulted  in  tlie  defeat 
of  the  rebel  generals,  Forrest  and  S.  D.  Lee.  Returning  to 
Mempliis,  they  were  ordered  to  Duval's  Bluff ;  and  a  portion 
Bent  to  Augusta  on  a  reconnoitring  expedition,  from  which  place 
they  moved  by  rail  to  Brownsville,  twenty-five  miles  from  Little 
Rock,  on  the  Ttli  of  September.  On  the  17th,  they  participated 
in  the  pursuit  of  the  rebel  general,  Price,  who  was  then  in 
Missouri ;  and,  after  a  hard  march  of  three  hundred  and  forty 
miles,  they  reached  Cape  Girardeau  without  meeting  him. 
While  here,  they  learned  of  the  defeat  of  Price  and  the  disper- 
sion of  his  forces.  About  the  middle  of  November,  they  re- 
turned to  St.  Louis :  from  this  place  they  proceeded  to  Nasliville 
to  re-enforce  Gen.  Thomas.  At  the  battle  of  Nashville,  two 
hundred  and  eighty  prisoners  were  captured  ;  and  tlie  next  day 
they  pursued  the  enemy,  and  reached  Clifton,  on  the  Tennessee, 
on  the  3d  of  January,  1865,  and  from  thence  to  Eastport,  Miss., 
where  they  arrived  on  the  11th. 

The  Fifteenth  Regiment  left  Strawberry  Plains  on  the  14th 
of  January,  18G4,  and  marched  eighteen  miles,  arriving,  on  the 
following  day,  at  Dandridge,  where  they  were  joined  in  the 
evening  by  a  detachment  of  convalescents,  which  had  been  left 
at  Chattanooga  at  their  departure  from  that  i^lace  on  the  28th 
of  November. 

While  en  route,  the  detachment  took  part  in  a  severe  engage- 
ment with  Wheeler's  cavalry,  at  Charleston,  Tenn.,  which 
resulted  in  the  defeat  of  the  enemy,  with  a  loss  of  ten  killed, 
and  one  hundred  and  sixty-seven  wounded  and  prisoners. 


nrSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


ftSl 


The  regiment  left  Dandrklge  on  the  night  of  the  18th, 
arriving  on  the  2l8t  at  Knoxville,  marching  thence  on  the  2-tth, 
by  way  of  Marysvillo,  to  McKee's  Ferry,  whence  they  returned, 
during  the  niglit  of  the  29th,  to  Marysville,  under  ordera  to 
proceed  to  Wisconsin  on  veteran  furlough. 

They  reached  Loudon,  twenty-eight  miles  distant,  on  the 
31st,  and,  owing  to  the  threatening  movements  of  the  enemy, 
were  met  l)y  orders  to  return  immediately  to  Marys ville,  where 
they  again  encamped  on  the  evening  of  the  1st  of  February, 
having  suffered  greatly  from  fatigue  during  the  march.  They 
remained  in  tlie  performance  of  guard-duty  at  this  place  luitil 
the  evening  of  the  IGth,  when  they  were  put  iu  motion,  arriv- 
ing next  day  at  Knoxville,  where  they  remained  a  week, 
marching  on  the  24th  to  Strawberry  Plains.  Leaving  this  place 
on  the  27th,  they  crossed  the  Holston  River,  and,  proceeding 
by  way  of  New  Market,  arrived  on  the  29th  at  Morristown. 
They  returned  to  New  Market  on  the  3d  of  March,  and  thence, 
on  tlie  9th,  to  Strawberry  Plains,  where  the  regiment  was 
stationed  as  guard  to  the  railroad  bridge,  and  employed  in 
picket-duty  and  labor  on  the  fortifications,  until  the  7th  of 
April,  when  they  left  Strawberry  Plains  under  orders  to  join 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and,  having  marched  a  distance 
of  one  hundred  and  eight  miles,  encamped  on  the  IGth  at 
McDonald  Station,  Tenn.,  on  the  East  Tennessee  and  Georgia 
Railroad,  between  Chattjxnooga  and  Cleveland. 

Here  thorough  preparations  were  made  for  the  spring  cam- 
paign ;  and  on  the  od  of  May  they  left  McDonald,  and,  accom- 
panying the  movement  of  the  Fourth  Corps,  joined  Gen. 
Sherman's  army,  on  the  5th,  near  Ringgold,  Ga.  From  this 
place,  the  army  was  put  in  motion  on  the  7th;  and,  after  severe 
skirmishing  during  the  day,  our  troops  occupied  Tunnel  Hill 
in  the  e  ening.  The  Fifteenth  Wisconsin  was  employed  during 
the  night  on  picket-duty  in  front  of  Willich's  brigade,  and 
next  morning  was  ordered  forward  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy's 
position  on  liocky  Ridge,  near  Dalton.  The  regiment  advanced, 
with  four  companies,  under  Capt.  Gordon,  deployed  in  front  as 
skirmishers,  and,  after  a  severe  skirmish,  succeeded  in  dislodg- 
ing the  enemy  from  his  strong  position  on  the  summit  of  the 
ridge,  which  was  immediately  occupied  by  the  reserve  compa- 


532 


nrsTORT  OF  wiscoNsm. 


nies,  and  retained  by  tlio  regiment  until  relieved  on  the  morning 
of  the  13th,  when  the  troops  were  hurried  forwiird  in  pursuit 
of  the  enemy,  who  had  evacuated  Dalton  during  the  night. 

On  the  following  day,  they  came  up  with  the  rebels  at 
Resaca,  wlien  a  charge  was  ordered,  and  a  fierce  action  ensued, 
in  which  the  firet  line  of  rebel  intrenchments  was  carried, 
the  Fifteenth  sustaining  a  loss  of  four  killed,  and  fourteen 
wounded. 

During  the  night  of  the  IGth,  the  enemy  evacuated  his 
position  at  Resaca,  burning  the  railroad  briilge  as  he  withdrew. 
On  the  17th  of  May,  our  troops  moved  forward  in  pursuit.  The 
Fifteenth,  crossing  tlie  Coosawattee  at  noon,  and  pressing  for- 
ward with  constant  skirmishing  as  the  enemy  retreated,  amved 
on  the  25th  before  tlie  enemy's  position  at  Dallas.  The  Fourth 
Corps  immediately  moved  to  the  support  of  the  advance,  imder 
Gen.  Hooker,  which  had  been  engaged  in  a  severe  fight  with 
the  enemy.  They  arrived  on  the  battle-field  near  midnight, 
and  next  morning  moved  into  position,  which  they  proceeded 
to  fortify.  On  the  27th  the  third  divi:iion,  to  which  the 
regiment  belonged,  was  relieved  from  this  position,  and  imme- 
diately moved  to  the  extreme  left  of  the  array,  where  they 
were  ordered  to  attack  the  enemy's  works.  In  this,  "  the  most 
desperate  charge  of  the  campaign,"  many  of  the  regiment  were 
killed  on  the  rebel  fortifications  ;  and  our  line  was  established 
within  fifteen  yards  of  the  enemy,  sheltered  from  his  fire  only 
by  the  slope  of  the  hill  upon  which  his  batteries  were  planted. 

Although  exposed  to  a  galling  fire  of  musketry,  they  retained 
this  position  for  five  hours,  when  the  enemy  was  re-enforced, 
and  charged  upon  their  weakened  ranks,  forcing  them  to 
retire,  leaving  their  dead  and  mortally  wounded  in  the  hands 
of  the  rebels.  In  this  sanguinary  engagement,  the  regiment, 
which  went  into  action  with  one  hundred  and  sixty  muskets, 
lost  eighty-three  oflBcers  and  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  pris- 
oners. They  aftenvards  accompanied  the  movements  of  the 
army  toward  Marietta,  almost  constantly  under  fire,  and  forcing 
the  enemy  slowly  back  from  their  front.  On  the  23d  of  June, 
they  participated  in  the  assault  upon  the  enemy's  position  on 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  with  a  loss  of  six  killed,  and  eleven 
wounded.    They  remained  in  the  trenches  before  these  works 


BIBTORT  OF  WIBCONSI/f. 


683 


until  the  8d  of  July,  when  they  again  moved  forward  in 
pursuit  of  the  enemy,  who  liad  withdrawn  from  his  works 
during  the  previous  night.  They  crossed  the  Chattahoochee 
on  the  17th,  and  accompanied  the  general  movement  of  our 
forces  to  Atlanta,  hefore  which  place  they  were  employed  in 
siege  and  fatigue  duty,  near  the  extreme  left  of  our  line,  until 
the  evening  of  the  25th  of  August,  when  they  left  the  trenches, 
accompanying  Gen,  Siierman's  movement  to  intercept  the 
enemy's  communications  on  the  south  and  east  of  Atlanta. 
Having  marched  about  forty  miles  in  a  circuitous  direction, 
they  arrived,  on  the  31st,  at  Jonesborough,  twenty-two  miles 
from  Atlanta,  where  temporary  intrenchmcnts  were  thrown  up, 
and  the  troops  bivouacked  for  the  night. 

They  participated  in  the  engagement  at  this  place  on  the  1st 
of  September,  after  which  they  marched  through  tho  town  in 
pursuit  of  the  retreating  enemy,  and  encamped  on  the  8d  ne.^ 
Lovejoy's  Station.  They  broke  camp  on  the  evening  of  the 
5th,  and  marched  on  the  return  to  Atlanta,  going  into  camp  on 
the  8th,  four  miles  from  the  city,  on  the  Atlanta  and  Augusta 
Railroad.  On  the  29th,  they  left  camp  near  Atlanta,  under 
orders  to  report  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  at  which  place  they 
arrived  on  the  Ist  of  October,  and  were  engaged  in  provost- 
duty  until  the  18th,  when  they  were  ordered  to  guard  railroad 
bridges  between  Chattanooga  and  Whitesides.  At  the  latter 
place,  they  remained  until  mustered  out  of  service.  Lieut.- 
Col.  Johnson,  having  succeeded  in  escaping  from  the  rebel 
prison,  rejoined  the  regiment  on  the  24th  of  July,  1864.  Three 
companies  were  mustered  out  Dec.  1,  18G4,  and  the  remainder 
in  January  and  February,  18C5. 

The  recruits  and  veterans  of  the  regiment  were  transferred 
to  the  Twenty-fourth  Wisconsin,  and  subsequently  to  the 
Thirteenth.  The  several  companies,  as  they  mustered  out, 
returned  to  Wisconsin,  were  paid  off,  and  disbanded.  Thus 
closes  the  history  of  the  Fifteenth  Regiment,  one  of  the 
bravest  and  most  efficient  regunents  that  Wisconsin  has  sent  to 
the  field. 

The  Sixteenth  Regiment,  after  their  furlough,  started  for 
Cairo,  on  the  18th  of  April,  and  arrived  on  the  22d.  A  number 
of  changes  took  place  in  the  regiment;  Lieut-Col.   Cassius 


534 


BISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Faircliild  being  promoted  colonel.  On  the  4th  of  May,  it  being 
attached  to  the  first  brigade,  third  division,  left  Cairo,  and 
]iroceeded  by  transports  to  Clifton,  Tenn.  Taking  up  their  lino 
of  march  to  jo'n  Slnrman's  army,  they  proceeded  by  way  of 
Huntsville,  War:  liton,  Ala.,  and  Rome,  Ga.,  and  reached 
Acworch  on  the  '^.th  of  June,  after  a  march  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty  miles.  Here  they  took  position,  .and  began  their 
advance  southward.  The  enemy  were  first  encountered  on  the 
15th,  near  Kenesaw  Mountain.  The  regiment  took  part  in 
the  movements  in  that  vicinity,  including  Bald  Bill,  driving  the 
rebels  out  of  and  beyond  their  intrenchments.  The  Twelfth 
and  Sixteenth  Regiments  were  inseparably  connected  in  the 
bloody  fight  of  the  22d  of  July,  both  regiments  exhibiting  tho 
greatest  valor  and  bravery.  Thence  they  proceeded  towards 
Atlanta,  and  took  part  in  destroying  the  railroid  from  that 
place  to  Jonesborough.  They  took  part  in  tho  skirmish  near 
that  place,  and  f;.^so  at  Lovejoy.  The  casualties  fi-om  June  9 
to  Sept.  9,  1864,  of  the  Sixteenth,  were,  killnd  thirty-eight, 
wounded  sevent3'-two.  The  regiment  remained  at  Atlanta 
until  Oct,  3,  and  participated  in  the  SavannuL  campaign. 
From  Savannah  they  went  to  Goldsborough,  and  thence  to 
Raleigh,  v/hcre  the  rebel  general,  Johnson,  surrendered  on  tho 
2Gth  of  April,  18G5. 

The  march  homeward  was  by  way  of  Richmond  and  Wo^Ii- 
ington  City,  where  the  regiment  took  part  in  the  grand  reviews. 
Proceeding  from  thence  on  the  7th  of  June,  they  were  ordered 
to  Louisville,  Ky.,  reaching  there  on  the  12th  of  July,  and 
going  into  canp,  when  they  were  mustered  out,  and  on  the 
14th  took  tho  cars  for  Wisconsin,  reaching  Madison  on  July 
16,  where  they  were  publicly  received  by  tho  State  officers. 
They  were  paid  off  on  the  19th  of  August,  and  the  regiment 
was  disbanded.  Col.  Fairchild  was  brevetted  brigadier-general 
for  meritorious  services  in  the  war. 

The  Seventeenth  Regiment  became  a  veteran  regiment  in 
January,  1864 ;  seven-eighths  of  their  number  having  re- 
enlisted.  On  tho  8th  of  March,  they  left  Vicksburg  for 
Wisconsin  on  veteran  funough,  and  arrived  at  Madison  on  tho 
18th,  where  they  were  welcomed  by  the  State  authorities  and 
citizens.    Taey  dispersed  to  their  homes,  and  rc-assembled  at 


086 


H/STOSr  OF  WiaCONSlN. 


Camp  Washburn,  Milwaukee,  on  the  20th  of  April.  The  next 
day  they  proceeded  to  Cairo,  where  they  found  the  Seventeenth 
Corps,  to  which  they  were  attached,  and  which  was  on  its  way 
to  join  the  forces  of  Gen  Sherman  in  the  Atlanta  campaign. 
Here  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  second  brigade  of  Gen. 
Gersham's  forces.  On  the  5th,  they  commenced  their  long 
march  to  join  the  forces  of  Gen.  Sherman,  and  reached 
Acworth  on  the  8th  of  June.  As  we  referred  frequently  to 
the  movements  of  this  army  in  this  campaign,  it  is  not  neces- 
sary to  repeat,  only  to  state  that  this  regiment  was  engaged 
in  the  operations  against  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Bald  Hill, 
Atlanta,  Jonesborough,  and  Lovejoy's  Station,  returning  Avith 
the  Seventeenth  Corps,  and  camping  near  Atlanta  on  the  9th  of 
Septemb;^  .  With  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  they  crossed  the 
Chattahoochee  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Hood.  From  this  pursuit, 
they  returned  to  Marietta,  and  encamped  Nov.  4,  remaining 
until  the  13th,  when  they  moved  to  Atlanta,  and  on  the  16th 
began  the  grand  march  for  Savannah,  where  they  remained 
until  January,  1865.  The  Eighteenth  Regiment  left  Hunts- 
ville  on  the  1st  of  May,  1864,  and  proceeded  to  Whitesburg, 
Ala.,  and  thence  to  AUatoona,  on  the  line  of  the  Western 
and  Atlantic  Railroad,  ninety  miles  south  of  Chattanooga, 
arriving  July  13,  and  were  employed  guarding  railroad-bridges, 
and  occupied  in  camp-duty  at  AUatoona,  until  Aug.  22, 
when  they  marched  to  Chattanooga,  and  into  Eastern  Ten- 
nessee, in  pursuit  of  the  rebel  general,  Wheeler,  who  was  on 
his  raid  against  Sherman's  communications.  Returning,  they 
encamped  at  Cowan,  Tenn.,  until  Sept.  19,  when  they 
rejoined  the  brigade  at  AUatoona.  After  the  surrender  of 
Ailantii,  Gen.  Hood  attempted  a  raid  on  Sherman's  railroad 
communications.  At  the  battle  at  Alhttoc^a,  which  was  a 
severe  and  bloody  one,  the  Eighteenth  was  engaged.  The 
enemy,  finding  it  impossible  to  capture  that  place,  finally 
retreated,  leaving  at  least  fifteen  hundred  of  his  killed  and 
■wounded  on  the  field.  In  this  sanguinary  engagement,  the 
Eighteenth  had,  killed  four,  wounded  eleven,  prisoners  seventy- 
three.  After  this  battle,  the  non-veterans  and  recruits  were 
assigned  to  the  Ninety-third  lUinois,  and  accompanied  Gen. 
Sherman  on  his  march  to  Savannah  and  Goldsborough.    The 


mSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


637 


veterans  were  furloughed  on  the  28th  of  November.  Re- 
assembling at  Milwaukee  on  the  28th  of  December,  they 
reached  Nasliville  on  the  11th  of  January,  1865. 

The  Nineteenth  Regiment  was  encamped  on  Trent  River, 
N.C.,  in  January,  1864.  On  the  1st  of  February,  the  enemy 
made  an  attack  on  Newbern,  but  was  unsuccessful.  On  the 
19th  of  April,  a  portion  of  the  regiment  was  sent  to  re-enforce 
the  garrison  at  Plymouth ;  but  that  post  was  surrendered  before 
re-enforcement  could  reach  them ;  and  they  returned  on  the 
24th.  On  the  26th  of  April,  the  regiment  left  Newbern  with 
orders  to  report  at  Yorktown,  Va.  Arriving  there,  they  were 
assigned  to  the  third  brigade,  and  proceeded  up  the  James 
River,  and  joined  the  Army  of  the  James,  commanded  by  Gen. 
B.  F.  Butler;  and  on  the  6th  marched  to  Point  of  Rocks,  where 
they  engaged  in  building  fortifications  until  the  9th,  when  they 
took  part  in  the  movement  to  Waltham  Junction.  On  the 
12th,  they  took  part  in  the  action  against  Fort  Darling ;  and 
in  the  month  of  June  were  in  the  advance  of  Gen.  Grant's 
army  upon  Petersburg.  On  the  13th  of  August,  the  re-e)ilisted 
men  of  the  regiment,  two  hundred  and  fifty  in  number,  were 
relieved  from  duty  at  the  front,  and  left  for  Wisconsin, 
arriving  at  Madison  on  the  22d,  and  received  a  furlough  of 
thirty  days.  Re-assembling,  they  left  the  State  on  the  3d  of 
October,  and  proceeded  to  James  River,  and  were  assigned  to 
the  third  brigade.  On  the  27th,  with  the  division,  it  joined  a 
reconnoissance  in  force,  and  reached  the  old  battle-field  of 
Fair  Oaks,  and  was  sent  forward  to  charge  a  six-gun  fort,  and 
in  doing  so  had  to  pass  over  an  open  plain.  When  within 
a  hundred  yards  of  the  fort,  they  lay  down,  waiting  for 
re-enforcements,  which  they  did  not  receive ;  and  the  enemy 
charged  out  of  their  works,  and  captured  nearly  the  whole  of 
the  regiment.  It  went  into  the  battle  with  a  hundred  and 
eighty  men  and  nine  ofiicers,  and  lost  a  hundred  and  thirty-six 
men  nnd  eight  officers.  After  this  battle  (Fair  Oaks)  the 
reninont  of  the  regiment,  consisting  of  about  eighty  men, 
returned  to  Camp  at  Chapin's  Farms,  where  they  were  joined 
by  the  non-veterans  of  the  regiment,  who  had  been  for  a  time 
engaged  in  provost-guard-duty  at  Norfolk.  From  this  time 
until  the  2d  of  April,  1865,  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  picket- 
duty  on  tho  lines  in  front  of  Richmond. 


638 


HISTORY  OF  WTSCONSTIf. 


The  Twentieth  Regiment  left  CaiTollton,  near  New  Orleans, 
on  the  7th  of  August,  1864,  and  proceeded,  with  the  land- 
forces  attached  to  the  expedition  of  Admiral  Farragut,  against 
the  forts  commanding  the  mouth  of  Mobile  Harbor,  landing  on 
the  10th  at  Mobile  Point.  Fort  Morgan  surrendered  on  the 
23d.  Forts  Powell  and  Gaines  had  been  captured  or  destroj-ed 
by  the  navy.  The  Twentieth  Wisconsin  and  Thirty-fourth 
Iowa  received  the  garrison  as  prisoncrs-of-war,  and  marched 
them  on  shipboard  for  New  Orleans.  On  the  8th  of  Sep- 
tember, a  detachment  of  the  Twentieth  proceeded  up  the  bay, 
and  destroyed  some  large  salt-works,  capable  of  making  a 
thousand  barrels  per  day,  and  brought  down  a  large  amount  of 
lumber  for  building  of  commissary  and  quartermaster  depots. 
The  regiment  was  camped  at  Navy  Cove,  in  October,  engaged 
in  constructing  a  telegraph,  and  building  a  railroad  to  Fort 
Morgan. 

The  regiment  left  Navy  Cove  on  the  14th  of  December,  and 
proceeded  to  Pascagoula ;  moved  up  the  river  a  few  miles, 
landing  at  Franklin  Creek.  Here  a  large  amount  of  pine- 
lumber,  cotton,  and  rosin,  was  seized.  Tlie  lumber,  some  eight 
hundred  thousand  feet,  was  rafted  through  tlio  enemy's  terri- 
tory, besides  a  large  quantity  of  cotton.  On  the  2Jlh,  they 
reached  Grilliu's  Mills  with  tlic  lumber  and  cotton,  and  seized 
additional  lumber  to  the  amount  of  one  million  live  hundred 
thousand  feet.  Here  they  remained  until  (ho  cvaciuition  of 
East  Pascagoula,  on  the  31st,  wlicn  they  proceeded  to  their  old 
camp  at  Navy  Cove  on  Mobile  Point. 

The  Twenty-first  Regiment  left  Lookout  Mountain  May  2, 
18G4,  four  hundred  strong,  and  marched  to  join  the  advance  oa 
Atlanta.  At  Resaca,  on  the  14th  May,  a  battle  was  fought ; 
and,  although  not  successful,  the  brigade  held  its  position  near 
the  enemy's  line  until  dark ;  and  the  Twenty-first  was  the  last 
to  retire.  The  list  of  killed  and  wounded,  as  published,  is, 
killed  eighteen,  wounded  thirty-one.  On  the  27th  of  May,  they 
went  into  position  near  Dallas,  and  participated  in  the  engage- 
ment at  that  place,  the  enemy  retiring  on  the  30th.  After 
further  skirmisliing,  the  regiment  took  position  in  front  of 
Kenesaw  Mountain.  Hero  a  battle  was  sustained  four  days, 
and  the  enemy  driven  from  his  position.     The  regiment  woa 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONfirN. 


539 


constantly  engaged  in  various  engagements  connected  with  the 
siege  of  Atlanta.  After  the  battle  of  Jonesborough,  the  enemy 
having  evacuated  Atlanta,  the  Twenty-first  went  into  camp  at 
the  latter  place  on  the  8tli  of  September,  just  four  months 
from  the  opening  of  the  campaign,  having  fought  their  way  for 
a  distance  of  a  hundred  and  thirty  miles.  The  loss  of  the 
regiment  was  one  hundred  and  twelve  killed  and  wounded, 
and  one  hundred  and  ten  disabled  by  disease  and  fatigue, 
leaving  only  about  one-third  of  the  arms-benving  men  to  enter 
Atlanta.  The  regiment  took  part  in  the  pursuit  of  Gen.  Hood, 
and,  after  an  unsuccessful  chase,  went  into  camp  at  Kings- 
ton, Ga. 

On  the  12th  of  November,  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  in  charge 
of  Gen.  Jefferson  C.  Davis,  commenced  the  "  march  to  the  sea," 
to  which  it  is  not  necessary  to  refer  particularly.  The  Twenty- 
first  marched  with  the  columns,  and  participated  in  all  the 
movements  of  the  army.  On  the  4th  of  March,  1865,  the 
regiment  entered  North  Carolina. 


CHAPTER  LI. 


WISCONSIN  S  WAR  EECORD. 


Events  of  1804,  continued  —  Regimental  Ilistory  —  Accidents  and  Incidents  of 
War  —  Movements  of  Wisconsin  Troops. 

The  Twenty-second  Regiment  moved  from  Nashville  in  April, 
1864,  camping  for  a  time  in  Lookout  Valley,  and  proceeded 
to  Dalton,  through  Snake-creek  Gap,  and  arrived  in  front  of 
Resaca  on  the  13th,  forming  in  line  of  battle ;  in  which  battle 
the  Third,  Twenty-sixth,  and  Twenty-second  Wisconsin  Regi- 
ments took  an  active  and  conspicuous  part.  The  Twenty- 
second  lost  heavily,  many  of  the  men  being  killed  in  the 
enemy's  works.  This  was  their  first  battle,  and  tliey  covered 
themselves  with  honor.  The  casualties  were,  twenty-four  killed, 
and  forty-nine  wounded.  Following  up  the  enemy,  on  the 
25th  of  May  he  was  found  near  Dallas,  where  an  engagement 
took  place ;  the  regiment  losing  six  killed,  iind  thirteen  wounded. 
The  position  was  fortified,  and  held  until  June  1,  when  the 
brigade  accompanied  the  mo  /ement  of  the  Twentieth  Corps 
to  the  left,  and  took  position  in  front  of  the  enemy's  lines,  at 
Pine  Knob  and  Lost  Mountain.  Here  they  took  part  in  the 
operations  of  the  corps,  and  had  ten  killed,  and  twenty-three 
wounded.  On  the  2d  of  July,  the  enemy  left  their  works. 
Col.  Utley  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  Lieut.-Col.  Blood- 
good.  The  regiment  also  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Peach- 
tree  Creek,  and  had  eleven  killed,  and  thirty-three  wounded. 
They  then  took  position  before  Atlanta ;  and  the  movements 
of  Gen.  Sherman  caused  Gen.  Hood  to  abandon  that  city, 
destroying  property  to  the  value  of  two  millions  of  dollars. 
The  Twenty-second  and  Twentj'-sixth  Wisconsin  were  among 
the  first  to  enter  the  city,  and  take  possession. 

610 


fi43 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


The  regiment  encamped  near  Atlanta,  and  were  employed  as 
train-guard  most  of  the  way  to  Savannah.  They  entered  that 
city  with  the  rest  of  the  army,  and  continued  their  march  to 
Bentonville,  where  the  enemy  was  driven  before  them.  They 
were  also  at  Averysborough  on  the  19th,  and  assisted  in 
driving  the  enemy  from  that  point,  and  proceeded  on  their  way 
to  Raleigh.  The  subsequent  history  of  the  closing  services  of 
Sherman's  grand  army  has  been  given  in  the  narratives  of  other 
regiments.  After  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Johnston,  the  corps 
proceeded  to  Richmond,  thence  to  Washington,  until  June 
12,  when  they  were  mustered  out,  and  left  for  liome,  arriving 
at  Milwaukee,  where  they  were  paid  off  and  disbanded. ' 

The  Twenty-third  Regiment  were  at  Matagorda  in  January, 
1864,  from  which  place  they  returned  to  Louisiana,  and  to 
Berwick  City.  They  took  a  part  in  Banks's  Red-river  Expe- 
dition, of  which  we  have  given  an  account  in  our  record  of 
other  regiments.  Tlie  Twenty-third  participated  in  all  the 
movements  and  engagements  of  the  expedition.  Making  long 
marches,  and  descending  the  Mississippi,  they  landed,  on  the 
24th  of  April,  at  Baton  Rouge,  where  they  encamped.  From 
the  8th  to  the  2Gth  of  July,  the  regiment  was  encamped  at 
Algiers,  opposite  New  Orleans.  Here  they  engaged  in  skirmish- 
work,  making  reconnoissances  of  the  suiTOunding  country,  also 
making  an  expedition,  on  tlie  8d  of  October,  to  Bayou  Sara, 
and  marching  sixteen  miles,  to  Jackson,  La.,  and  returning  the 
next  day  in  transports.  On  the  5th  of  October,  they  entered 
camp  at  Morganzia,  and  reached  Helena  Nov.  3,  and  went  into 
camp  there. 

The  Twenty-fourth  regiment,  on  the  8d  of  May,  1864,  took 
part  in  the  attack  on  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  opposite  Dalton,  Ga., 
and  succeeded  in  carrying  a  portion  of  the  crest  of  a  hill,  and 
remained  until  the  morning  of  the  13th,  when  it  was  found 
that  the  enemy  had  abandoned  his  fortified  position.  They 
took  part  in  the  battle  at  Resaca,  having  seven  men  killed,  and 
thirteen  wounded.  They  also  had  an  action  at  Adairaville,  or 
Pleasant  Hill ;  and  at  Dallas  were  eleven  days  exposed  to  the 
rebel  fire.  At  Dallas  the}'  had  seventeen  wounded.  They 
Bubsequeutly  took  part  in  the  operations  at  Acworth,  and,  on 
the  20th   of  June,  at   Kenesaw  Mountain,  where   ten  were 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


643 


Icilled,  and  twelve  wounded.  On  the  Sd  of  July,  they  passed 
through  Marietta,  took  position  in  front  of  Atlanta  on  the 
2L*d,  and  participated  in  the  movements  at  that  place.  In  Sep- 
tember, they  were  ordered  to  Chattanooga,  where  they  were 
employed  in  garrison-duty  ;  after  which  they  were  called  to 
take  part  in  the  movements  of  Gen.  Thomas  against  Hood,  of 
■which  we  have  already  given  an  account  in  our  records  of 
other  regiments.  The  Twenty-fourth  participated  in  the 
decisive  battles  of  the  15th  and  IGth  of  December,  before 
Nashville,  and  in  the  pursuit  of  the  rebel  army,  arriving  at 
Lexington,  Ala.,  near  Florence,  from  whicii  place  they  set  out 
to  return  on  the  31st,  and  crossing  Elk  River  on  the  Cd  of  Jan- 
uary, 1865,  reached  Iluntsville,  Ala,,  on  the  5th,  and  went  into 
winter-quarters. 

The  Twenty-fifth  Regiment  were  at  Helena  on  the  1st  of 
January,  18G4,  when  they  moved  down  the  river  to  Vicksburg, 
rejoined  the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  and  accompanied  it  on 
the  celebrfited  expedition  to  Meridian,  under  the  command  of 
Gen.  Sherman.  They  proceeded  to  Meridian,  and  assisted  in 
the  destruction  of  the  railroads  and  other  rebel  property,  and 
returned  to  Vicksburg  on  the  4th  of  March.  On  tlie  13th  of 
March,  the  fourth  division,  including  the  Twenty-fifth,  proceeded 
up  the  river,  arriving  at  Cairo  on  tiie  20th.  From  thence  they 
proceeded  to  Clump's  Landing,  Ala.,  and  to  Waterloo,  Ala., 
where  they  disembarked  on  the  2d  of  April,  and  marched  by 
way  of  Florence,  Atlicns,  and  Mooresville,  to  Decatur,  Ala. 
Here  they  remained,  engaged  in  guard-duty,  until  May  1,  Avhen 
they  marched  to  Huntsville,  and  thence  to  Chattanooga,  and 
joined  the  forces  of  Gen.  Sherman,  They  marched  to  Resaca, 
and  on  the  9th  of  May  made  a  demonstration  on  tiio  enemy's 
works,  and  took  part  iu  the  engagement  at  tliat  place.  The 
regiment  pursued  the  enemy,  arriving  at  Dallas  on  the  26th 
of  May. 

In  the  battle  at  that  place,  the  Twenty-fifth  took  part,  and 
also  at  the  skirmish  at  Peach  Orchard,  and  the  movements 
immediately  following.  On  the  9th  of  July,  the  Sixteenth  Corps 
marched  to  the  rear,  passing  through  Marietta,  and  along  the 
banks  of  the  Chattanooga,  and  onward  to  Decatur,  which 
place  they  reached  on  the  19th ;  and  an  engagement  ensued,  in 


644 


nisTORT  OF  wiscoNsry. 


which  the  Twenty-fifth  lost  twenty  killed,  forty-four  wounded, 
and  twcntv-fivo  missing.  On  the  2.'>th,  the  hrigado  raart-hed 
from  Decatur,  and  took  position  l)cforc  Atlanta,  and  in  the 
attack  on  the  enemy  on  the  right  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps. 

The  casualties  from  July  22  to  Sept.  16  were  three  killed, 
and  twenty-two  wounded. 

The  regiment  remained  in  camp  at  East  Point,  Ga.,  until 
Oct.  4,  when  they  marched  north  with  the  Seventeenth  Corps  in 
pursuit  of  Gen.  Hood.  The  pursuit  was  abandoned,  and  the 
corps  turned  toward  ^i  .inta,  which  was  to  be  the  point  of 
departure  of  another  great  expedition.  They  reached  Atlanta 
on  the  10th  of  November.  On  the  IGth  of  that  month,  they 
left  Atlanta,  and  proceeded  to  Monticello,  and  were  engaged  in 
destroying  raih'oads.  On  the  2nth,  they  arrived  at  Tooms- 
borough.  On  the  9th  of  December,  they  met  a  few  of  the 
enemy,  who  retired  without  battle.  On  the  12th,  tlicy  took 
position  at  Dillon's  Bridge,  which  they  held  until  the  3d  of 
January,  1865,  when  they  marclied  through  Savannah,  and 
embarked  for  lieaufort,  S.C.,  and  encamped. 

The  Twenty-sixth  Regiment  left  Lookout  Valley  on  the 
25th  of  January,  when  they  moved  to  AVhitesides,  a  few  miles 
from  Chattanooga,  and  remained  until  April  23.  In  the  organ- 
ization for  the  Atlanta  campaign,  the  regiment  was  transferred 
to  the  third  brigade,  third  division  of  Twentieth  Army  Corps. 
They  joined  the  brigade  with  a  force  of  four  hundred  and  seven- 
teen muskets.  With  the  division,  on  the  7th  of  May,  they  ad- 
vanced towards  Dalton,  and  took  part  in  the  rcconnoissance  the 
next  day,  and  subsequent  skirmisii,  and  thence  proceeded  to 
Resaca,  and  formed  in  lino  of  battle  on  the  13th.  The  next 
day,  in  a  skirmish,  one  man  was  killed,  and  three  wounded  ;  and 
on  the  15tli  took  part  in  the  battle  which  then  occurred,  in 
which  they  lost  three  killed,  and  thirty-six  wounded  ;  and  were 
engaged  in  the  actions  immediately  following,  near  Dallas,  losing 
seventeen  killed,  and  twenty-three  woimded.  Subsequently 
they  assisted  in  the  taking  of  Alatoona,  Pilot  Knob,  and  Lost 
]\lountain,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  at  Kenesaw  Moim- 
tain,  in  which  they  had  eleven  killed,  and  thirty-six  wounded. 
On  the  20th  of  July,  they  moved  toward  Atlanta,  and  at  the 
battle  of  Peach-tree  Creek  took  an  active  part,  in  which  they 


HISTORY  OF   WIBCONSW. 


545 


had  six  killed,  and  thirty-nine  wounded.  In  these  engagements, 
the  regiment  fought  bravely,  and  received  high  praise  from  their 
commanding  officer.  On  the  22d,  the  corps  advanced,  and  took 
position  in  the  investment  of  Atlanta,  and,  on  the  2d  of  Sep- 
tember, entered  that  city  with  the  brigade.  On  the  15th  of 
November,  the  Twenty-sixth  moved  forward  with  Gen.  Sher- 
man's forces  in  his  march  to  the  seacoast.  The  labors  and 
services  performed  during  this  movement  did  not  differ  from 
those  of  other  regiments;  and,  the  description  of  the  march 
having  been  given,  it  is  unnecessary  to  repeat  it.  They  reached 
Savannah  on  the  21st  of  December,  and  in  January,  1865, 
started  towards  Goldsborough. 

The  Twenty-seventh  Regiment  was  in  the  march  of  Gen. 
Steele  to  co-operate  with  Gen.  Banks  in  the  Red-i  ver  Expedi- 
tion, and  attached  -to  the  third  brigade,  third  division.  Seventh 
Army  Corps.  Leaving  Little  Rock  on  the  23d  of  March,  noth- 
ing of  importance  occurred  until  April  1,  when  the  division  was 
attacked  by  the  enemy,  near  the  Washington  and  Camden  Roads. 
In  this  attack,  the  Twenty-seventh  were  detached  to  aid  in 
protecting  the  train.  The  division  was  engaged  in  skirmishing 
without  important  results.  On  the  12th  of  April,  advanced  to 
Camden,  through  Moscow,  and  entered  the  former  place  on  the 
16th.  Hearing  of  the  disastrous  termination  of  Gen.  Banks's 
Red-river  Expedition,  Gen.  Steele  and  his  army  set  about 
returning  to  Little  Rock.  Leaving  Camden  on  the  26th,  they 
proceeded  to  Saline  Bottom ;  and  an  engagement  took  place  at 
Jenkins's  Ferry,  against  the  force  of  Kirby  Smith,  of  some 
twenty  thousand  men,  in  which  the  enemy  was  punished 
severely,  and  several  of  his  guns,  and  three  battle-flags,  were 
captured.  From  Saline  River,  they  marched  to  Little  Rock,  at 
which  place  they  arrived  on  the  3d  of  May.  On  the  3d  of 
October,  they  descended  the  Arkansas  to  Pine  Bluff  to  re- 
enforce  Gen.  Magruder,  who  was  threatened  with  an  attack; 
and  returned  to  Little  Rock  on  the  22d.  The  regiment  was 
etationed  at  various  points,  detailed  to  guard-duty  on  the  Little 
Rock  and  Memphis  Railroad,  and  was  thus  engaged  until  Feb. 
7, 1865. 

The  Twenty-eighth  Regiment  remained  at  Little  Rock,  Ark., 
until  the  26th  of  October,  1863,  when  they  accompanied  the 


C'lG 


niSTORY  OF  WISCOSSIN. 


Til 


mavcli  of  tlic  brigade  in  pursuit  of  Marmailulcc's  forces,  which 
luul  boon  defeated  by  our  troops  at  Pino  Bluff.  On  tlic  fol- 
lowing daj-,  they  arrived  at  Benton,  on  tlio  Saline  River,  reliev- 
ing, at  that  place,  a  force  of  cavalry  wliicli  Avas  sent  in  pursuit 
of  the  enemy.  On  the  20th  they  advanced  to  Uockport,  on 
the  Washita,  -where  fnrtiier  pursuit  was  abandoned ;  and,  re- 
turning Ijy  way  of  Benton,  tiicy  re-entered  camp  at  Little 
Ilock,  on  the  1st  of  November,  having  marched  about  one  hun- 
dred miles. 

The  regiment  Avcre  detached  from  the  second  brigade  on  the 
7th  of  November,  and  ordered  to  join  Col.  Clayton's  command 
at  Pine  Bluff,  sixty  miles  distant  on  the  Arkansas  River,  Avhcre 
they  arrived  on  the  lOlh.  At  this  place,  coml'ortablc  winter- 
quarters  were  erected  ;  and  the  regiment  were  occupied  in  post 
and  garrison  duty  until  the  27th  of  March,  1804.  liieut.-Col. 
Gray  was  placed  in  command  of  this  post ;  and  companies  A, 
D,  F,  (i,  II,  and  I,  under  command  of  Capt.  L.  J.  Smith,  with 
an  additional  force  of  infantry  and  cavalry,  left  Pino  Bluff  on 
an  expedition  intended  to  destroy  the  pontooji-bridgc  at  Long- 
view,  on  the  Saline  River.  On  the  followi'.g  da\-,  the  expedi- 
tion arrived  at  Mount  Elba,  at  which  place  the  infantry  was 
left  to  guard  the  bridge  laid  at  that  point,  while  cavalry  pushed 
forward  to.  Longview.  The  infantry,  less  than  five  hundred  in 
number,  were  attacked  on  the  30th,  at  Mount  Ellj;;,  by  a  force 
of  the  enemy  fifteen  hundred  strong. 

The  six  companies  of  the  Twenty-eighth,  deployed  as  skirm- 
ishers, held  the  enemy  in  chock  until  recalled  to  the  main  body. 
Shortly  afterward  the  rebel  charge  was  gallantly  repulsed  ;  the 
enemy  leaving  one  hundred  killed  and  wounded  on  the  field. 
At  this  juncture,  the  cavalry  which  had  been  sent  to  Longview 
came  up  ;  and  the  enemy  was  closely  pursued,  a  distance  of  ten 
miles,  to  Centrcville.  Next  day  the  expedition  returned  to 
Pine  Bluff,  bringing  in  three  liundred  and  twenty  prisoners ;  the 
infantry  having  marched  eighty-two  miles. 

A  detachment  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  men  of  the  regi- 
ment, under  Lieut.-Col.  Gray,  left  Pine  Bluff  on  the  28th  of 
April,  imdor  orders  to  proceed  to  Jlount  Elba,  lay  a  pontoon- 
bridge  across  the  Saline  River,  and  guard  the  pass  until  the 
arrival  of  the  expedition  intended  to  convey  supplies  to  our 


618 


mSTORV  OF    WJSCO.\S/\. 


forces  at  Camden.  Information  Iiaving  been  received  tliai  (Jc;i. 
Steele's  forces  were  '-etreating  in  the  direction  of  I^ittle  lloci<, 
the  ''egiment  returnee  to  I'ine  IJluff  on  tlie  30tli.  Since  tlie 
re-establishnient  of  tl  e  army  on  tlie  line  of  the  Arkansas,  the 
roffjment  had  furnished  heavy  details  for  outpo.st  ;ind  guard 
duty ;  ai  J,  during  the  months  of  June  and  July,  they  wei'O 
occupied  day  and  night,  in  labor  on  the  dcfeucej  of  the  ])ost. 

The  Twenty-ninth  Regiment,  which  had  been  stationed  soint^ 
days  on  the  sliorc  of  J5trwick  Bay,  oppos'te  I'raslier.r  City, 
broke  camp  on  the  Cd  of  October,  I8G0,  and  conunriu'cd  the 
movement  to  Opelousas.  They  arrived  on  the  (ith  at  New 
Iberi',,  sixty  miles  from  Berwick,  and,  on  the  10th.  march<,'d 
twcnL3--four  miles,  to  Vermilion  Bayou,  and  thence,  on  the  1-jth. 
eighteen  miles,  to  Grand  Chateau  Bayou.  The  marcli  was 
resumed  on  the  21st,  when  they  met  the  en(;my  at  Opelou.'sas, 
and  after  a  skirmish,  in  which  they  sustained  no  loss,  pressed 
forward  to  Barre's  Landing,  eight  .ailes  beyond  Op^luusas, 
where  they  went  into  cami),  and  were  employed  in  piclcct  and 
guard  duty  until  the  29lli,  at  •which  date  they  returned  to 
Opelousas.  On  the  1st  of  November,  they  marched  leu  miles, 
to  Carrion  Crow  Bayou ;  and  on  the  Sd  were  ordered  up  to 
re-enforce  Gen.  Burbrilgc's  command,  four  miles  distant,  which 
had  been  attacked  by  the  eueni}.  During  tlie  battle  tliey 
acted  as  support  to  a  Missouii  battery,  but  were  not  actively 
engaged,  and  returned  on  tiie  same  evening  to  camp  on  Carrion 
Crow  Bayou.  They  moved  01;  the  .Oth  to  Vermilion  Bayou, 
from  v,bich  jdace  they  marched  on  the  IGth,  and,  proceeding 
by  way  of  S])!,nish  Lake,  arrivci.I  on  the  following  day  at  New 
Iberia.  On  the  20th  they  accoraiianied  the  brigade,  witli  a 
ijmall  additional  force  of  cavalry  and  artiller\-,  on  a  secixa 
expedition,  which  resulted  in  the  c;i[)ture  of  a  hundred  and 
fourteen  prisoners  at  Spanish  Lake.  Tlio}-  returned  on  the 
same  da}-  to  New  Iberia,  where  they  were  eniidoyed  in  picket- 
dut}-,  and  guarding  forage-trains,  until  the  10th  of  December, 
when  they  wero  again  juit  in  motion,  and,  passing  through 
l''r.  nklin  and  Centreville,  arrived  on  the  21st  at  Berwick, 
having  marched,  during  the  whole  expedition,  about  two 
hundred  and  i^ixtecn  miles.  They  crossed  Berwick  Bay  on 
the  following  day,  and,  moving  by  rail  from  Biashcar  City,  w;nt 


nisTonr  of  wiscoNsm. 


S# 


into  oamp  on  the  25th  at  Algiers.  Participating  m  the  cele- 
brated Texas  Expedition,  they  embarked  at  Algiers  on  the 
5th  of  January,  18G4,  and  ar  m.  >?d  on  the  lltli  off  I'ass  Cavallo, 
Tex.,  where  they  disembarlccd  on  tlie  following  day,  and 
encamped  on  De  Crow's  Point,  near  tlie  mouth  of  the  Rio 
Grande.  At  this  place,  they  were  employed  in  guard-duty 
until  the  20th  of  February,  when  thoy  re-embarked,  on  their 
return  to  Louisiana.  They  arrived  at  New  Orleans  on  the  2'6d, 
and  next  day  went  into  camp  at  Algiers,  where  they  were 
stationed  until  the  5tli  of  March,  at  which  date  tlicy  proceeded 
by  rail  to  Brashear,  and,  crossing  Berwick  Bay,  encamped  on 
the  following  day  at  Berwick. 

The  spring  campaign  commenced  on  the  13th,  at  which  date 
they  left  Berwick,  forming  part  of  the  celebrated  Red-river 
Expedition.  Inasmuch  as  this  expedition  has  frequently  been 
referred  to  in  the  movements  of  the  other  regim;.'nts,  it  is  not 
necessary  to  describe  it.  The  Twenty-ninth  Regiment  took 
an  active  and  decisive  part  in  all  the  movements  and  engage- 
ments of  that  expedition.  On  the  22d  of  May  the  regiment 
went  into  camp  at  Moi'ganzia.  At  this  point  they  w^re  em- 
ployed in  guard  and  picket  dut)%  with  tVequent  expeditions 
against  guerillas,  until  the  l^th  of  June,  when  they  embarked, 
and,  proceeding  down  the  Mississippi,  landed  .ext  day  at 
CarroHto;i,  where  they  went  into  camp.  On  the  21st,  they 
moved  sixteen  miles  to  Connersville,  and  thence,  on  the  2Gth,  to 
Thibodeaux,  where  tbey  were  stationed  for  the  peii'i)rraance  of 
outpost  and  guard  duty.  On  the  8th  of  July,  Col.  Greene 
was  appointed  post-commandant,  atld  Company  K  of  the  regi- 
ment detailed  as  provost-guard.  The  same  evening,  orders  were 
received  to  move  immediately  to  Algiers,  where  they  arrived 
on  the  Tollowing  day.  Here  all  transportation  was  turned  over, 
and  every  preparation  made  for  transfer  to  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  The  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  first  brigade,  pro- 
visional division  ;  and,  while  awaiting  the  final  order  to  move, 
the  brigade  was  ordered  to  Morganzia,  and,  embarking  on  the 
morning  of  the  26th,  reached  tliat  place  on  the  following  day. 
On  the  28th  the  regiment  took  part  in  a  rcconnoissanee  to  the 
Atchafalaya  River ;  and  after  a  severe  skirmish  with  the  enemy, ' 
who  was  advantageously  posted   ou  the  opposite  bank,  they 


560 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


returned  to  camp,  having  sustained  a  loss  of  one  killed,  and 
one  wounded.  While  stationed  at  this  place,  the  regiment  was 
assigned  to  the  second  brigade,  second  division.  Nineteenth 
Army  Corps.  After  sundry  movements  they  returned  to  Port 
Hudson  on  the  29th  of  July. 

The  Thirtieth  Regiment,  in  the  month  of  March,  1864,  was 
eniploj'ed  in  Dacotah  Territory  and  Nortli-western  Minnesota, 
and  took  part  in  the  campaign  against  the  Indians  under  Gen. 
Sully.  Four  companies  proceeded  to  St.  Louis,  and  embarked 
on  tlie  25th  (if  April,  1864,  on  three  steamers,  and  moved  up 
the  Missouri  River,  and  reached  Fort  Rice  on  the  15th  of  July, 
having  encountered  vexatious  detentions  by  snags,  sand-bav  . 
&c.  This  fort  was  located  four  hundred  miles  west  of  St. 
Paul,  and  about  eight  hundred  miles  above  Sioux  City.  The 
detachment,  under  Col.  Dill,  left  Fort  Rice  on  the  12th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1804,  and  descended  the  Missouri  River  to  Sioux  City,  and 
Avere  joined  by  Company  D,  and  pioccided  down  the  river  to 
St.  Josephs,  Mo. ;  and,  leaving  on  the  24th,  they  came  by  way 
of  Quiucy  and  ludianupolia  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  went  into 
camp.  The  remaining  companies  of  the  regiment  moved  from 
Fort  Wadsworth,  Dacolah,  Sept.  29,  and  marched  across  the 
country  to  Kort  Snelling,  Minn.,  and  arrived  on  the  12th  of 
October,  having  marched  over  three  hundred  miles.  Embark- 
ing, they  left  Fort  Snelling  on  the  20th  ;  and  reached  St. 
Louis  on  the  JlUh.  The}-  re-embarked,  and  proceeded  down 
tiie  river  to  Paducali,  where  they  remained  on  guard-duty  until 
Dec.  6  when  they  proceeded  up  the  Ohio  River,  to  Louisville, 
where  they  rejoined  the  balance  of  the  regiment.  On  the  12th, 
the  regiment  moved  by  rail  to  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  and  on  the 
IOlIi  of  January,  1805,  returned  to  Louisville,  where  they  were 
HBsigned  to  guard-duty  at  the  military  prison.  Three  com- 
panies of  the  Tliirly-first  Regiment  were  engaged  in  the  winter 
of  1863-64  guarding  the  bridge  at  Stone  River.  On  the  2d  of 
April,  they  rejohied  the  regiment  at  Murfreesborough,  and  were 
engaged  during  the  month  along  the  road  between  that  place 
and  Normandy,  Tenn.,  doing  outpost-duty.  On  the  6th  of 
July,  they  were  ordered  to  Nashville,  and  on  their  arrival  had 
quarters  assigned  them  west  of  the  Nashville  and  Chattanooga 
Railroad.     From  Nashville,  they  proceeded  by  rail  for  Marietta, 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


551 


Ga.,  which  they  reached  on  the  19th.  While  on  the  road, 
near  Kingston,  one  of  the  tniins  ran  off  the  track,  wounding 
two  oflSeers,  killing  one  man,  and  severely  wounding  ten 
others.  On  the  22d  of  July,  the  regiment  moved  with  the 
army  upon  Atlanta,  and  were  placed  in  the  front  line  ;  and  here 
they  lay  under  fire  imtil  Aug.  25,  when  they  took  part  in  the 
movement  of  the  corps.  They  then  returned  to  the  railroad- 
bridge  across  the  Chattahoochee,  while  the  rest  of  the  army 
swung  around  to  Jonesborough. 

On  the  4th  of  September,  the  skirmishers  of  the  Thirty-first 
were  among  the  first  to  enter  the  city.  The  next  dav,  the  regi- 
ment moved  within  the  fortifications,  and  was  assigned  quarters 
in  the  city.  In  addition  to  otiier  duties  devolving  upon  troops 
in  an  enemy's  countr}',  the  regiment  were  engaged  in  protecting 
forage-trains,  and  were  very  successful  furnishing  grain  for  the 
famishing  horses  and  mules  of  the  army.  The  Twentieth 
Army  Corps  broke  camp  on  the  15th  of  November,  and  filed 
out  of  the  burning  city,  which  proved  to  be  the  march  to  the 
sea.  The  fatigues  and  dangers  to  which  all  v^ere  exposed  were 
endured  by  the  Thirty-first  during  the  march  througli  Georgia. 
They  took  part  in  an  engagement  ten  miles  from  Savannah, 
capturing  the  works  and  the  camp  of  the  enemy ;  having  one 
man  killed,  and  three  wounded.  The  regiment  took  part  in  the 
siege  of  Savannah,  and  after  its  capture  was  assigned  quarters 
within  the  fortifications.  Here  they  remained  until  the  18th 
of  January,  18C5. 


.:■  \i:f 


CHAPTER  LIT. 

"Wisconsin's  wae  record. 

Evrnts  of  1804,  concluded  —  SUIitary  Mutters  —  Regimental  Ilistory  —  Battlc- 
FicUl  Pictures  —  Home  rolltics  —  Election. 

The  Thirty-second  Regiment  ren:ainccl  at  Moscow  until  Jan. 
27, 18G4,  wlien  they  returned  to  Mcmf)his,  and  on  tlie  31st  moved 
down  the  river,  landing  at  Vicksburg  on  the  2d  of  rehruary. 
On  tlie  3d,  they  commenced  the  march  to  ^Meridian,  passing 
through  Jackson,  from  wliich  place  the  rehels  were  driven,  to 
Morton  and  to  Lockport.  Having  satisfactorily  accom[)lislud 
the  object  of  their  mission,  they  returned  to  Vickshurg,  arriving 
on  the  4th  of  March.  On  the  17th,  the  regiment  moved  to  join 
the  forces  of  Gen.  Grant,  and  proceeded  liy  the  river  to  Cairo, 
thence  to  Columbus,  and  returned  to  Cairo.  From  liere  Ihey 
moved  to  Paducah,  and,  re-embarking,  proceeded  up  the  Ten- 
nessee River  on  the  27th,  and  landed  near  Waterloo,  Ala., 
from  thence  to  Florence,  Prospect,  and  Athens,  reaching  Deca- 
tur, Ala.,  on  the  10th  of  Apiil.  On  the  28th  of  June,  the 
brigade  marched  to  Courtlaiid,  ai  d  surrounded  a  body  of  four 
hundred  rebels,  of  which  they  killed  and  wounded  seventeen, 
and  took  furty-nine  prisoners,  with  a  number  of  wagons,  liorses, 
and  eamp-equipagc.  They  returned  to  Decatur  on  tlie  29th,  and 
resumed  pi<ket-duty,  and  labor  on  the  fortifnMtions.  Sidjsr 
quently  they  took  part  in  a  skiiinish  near  Courtlaiid,  in  whicl 
twenty-five  pri><oners  were  taken.  On  the  4th  of  August,  they 
proceeded  to  Atlanta,  where  they  remained  during  the  two 
days  of  the  battle,  losing  seven  killed,  and  fifteen  wounded. 
The  ngiment,  on  the  2d  of  September,  returned  to  Atlanta, 
iini'  went  into  camp  until  early  in  Oetol)cr.  They  took  part 
iu  the  grand  march  to  Savannidi,  to  which  movement  we  have 

653 


554 


HISTORY   ('/••    Wl^rDSi^iy. 


frequently  referred,  and  caniiieil  near  ihiit,  eity  Jan.  5,  IHHo, 
when  thej^  emliarkcd  for  Ucanfort,  S.C. 

The  Thirty-third  Regiment,  on  tlie  ;l1.st  of  ,Iimiiiir\%  ISli-t, 
moved  to  Hebron,  with  the  Meridian  Expedilion  of  (jen.  Slior- 
nian.  Their  ex|)erien('e.s  and  labors  were  similar  to  those  of 
other  regiments  attaehed  to  the  expedition.  They  returned  to 
llehrou  March  4,  aftea-  an  alisenco  of  twenty-nine  days,  having 
marched  three  hundred  and  seventy  miles.  On  the  9th  of 
March,  they  joined  the  Red-river  Expedition,  and  participated 
in  a  7iumber  of  skirmishes  with  some  losses.  They  rt^turned  to 
Vicksburg,  and  thence  to  Memphis,  remaining  in  eanij)  until 
June  '1-  ;  thence  to  the  interior  of  MrSsissipj)i,  At  Camargo 
Cross  Road,  near  Tupelo,  the  enemy  attacked  a  train,  and  were 
routed.  Thence  t'  ';y  went  to  IIarrisoid)urg.  and  drew  up 
in  line  of  battle  belL  Tupelo.  The  ein-my  was  driven  from 
the  field.  Another  engagement  took  i)lace  at  Oldtown  ('reek, 
from  which  the  enemy  was  driven  with  great,  loss.  Tin;  inarch 
was  resumed,  and  I^a  Grange  reached  on  the  2Jst.  On  the  22d, 
tiie  regiment  went  into  camp  at  Memphis.  In  this  expedition, 
the  casualties  were,  killed  eight,  wounchul  tliiity-four.  On  the 
iiA  of  August,  the  Thirty-third  proceeded  to  St.  (!harles,  /Vvk., 
remaining  until  the  1st  of  September;  thence  to  Thivall's  Ulnft' 
and  to  IJrownsville,  where  they  remained  until  the  ITih,  when 
they  were  attat^iu^d  to  Gen.  Mower's  comnutnd,  in  pursuit  of 
(icu.  Prict.'.  Tliey  arrived  at  Cape  Girardeau  on  the  oth  of 
October,  and  ascended  the  Mississippi  to  St..  Louis,  and  thence 
to  Jefferson  City.  On  the  ITih,  they  proceeded  by  rail  to 
Lanioine  Bridge.  Leaving  this  plams  on  the  22d  of  Oetol)er, 
they  marched  to  Warrensburg,  fifty  miles,  where  the  regiment 
was  employed  in  garrison  and  provost  duty.  Gen.  I'rico  having 
been  driven  into  Arkansas,  the  regiment  returned  to  St.  Louis, 
having  in  charge  a  body  of  rebel  prisoners.  Aft(>r  being  re- 
erjuipped,  they  left  with  fon>os  of  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith  to 
re-eid'(U'ce  Gcu.  Thomas.  Arriving  on  thf  -'Oth  at  Nashville, 
they  took  position  three  n\iles  south  of  the  city.  Here  they 
were  oi\gaged  in  strengthening  the  defences  until  Dct.  15,  and 
linally  took  a  part  in  the  battli*  at  that  place,  when  the  enemy 
Were  driven  acro.ss  the  Tennessee  Rivet 

The  Thirty-fourth  liegiment  were  niusteied  into  the  aervice 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


555 


for  nine  months,  and  were  stationed  at  Columbus,  Ky.  Tlieir 
term  of  service  expiring,  they  returned  home,  and  were  mus- 
tered out  in  September,  18G3. 

The  Tliirty-fifth  Regiment  left  the  State  on  the  27th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 18G4,  with  orders  to  report  to  Gen.  Steele,  at  Alexandria, 
La.  They  left  Milwaukee  on  the  1,8th  of  Ai)ril,  and  proceeded 
to  St.  Louis,  where  tlie}'  were  fully  equipped  for  active  service. 
On  the  2Gth,  iliey  proceeded  down  the  river  to  the  mouth  of 
Red  River.  Failing  to  procure  transportation  to  their  original 
destination,  they  proceeded  to  New  Orleans,  and  received  orders 
to  report  to  Gen.  Ullman,  at  Port  Hudson,  at  which  jjlace  they 
disembariied  on  the  7th  of  ^lay.  At  this  place  they  remained 
until  June  20,  being  engaged  in  guard  and  fatigue  duty.  At 
that  date,  they  moved  up  to  Morganzia,  La.,  where  the  regiment 
was  assigned  to  the  first  brigade,  third  division,  Nineteenth 
Army  Corps.  From  Morganzia,  the  regiment  proceeded  to 
Port  Hudson  and  St.  Charles,  Ark,  arriving  July  24.  Here 
they  remained  until  the  7th  of  August,  erigaged  in  guard-duty 
and  scouting,  when  they  returned  to  Jlorganzia.  On  the  1st 
of  October,  they  took  part  in  an  excursion  to  Simsport,  in 
which  several  skirmislies  with  the  enemy  were  hud.  They 
subsequently  returned  to  Duvall's  Bluff,  where  they  remained 
until  the  7th  of  February,  18Go. 

The  Thirty-sixth  Regiment  were  organized  at  Camp  Randall 
(Frank  A.  Haskell,  colonel),  And  mustered  into  the  service  on 
the  10th  of  May,  with  orders  to  report  at  Washington,  D.C. 
Arriving  at  Washington  May  14,  tliey  jDroeeedtd  down  the 
Potomac  to  Belle  Plaine  Landing,  and  from  there  proceeded  to 
Spotts^lvania  by  way  of  Fredericksburg.  Ou  the  18th  they 
«fted  us  a  reserve  in  the  engagement  of  that  day,  and  on  the 
19th  joined  the  first  brigade,  second  division.  On  the  20lh 
they  accompaniid  Gen.  Hancock  in  his  march  to  North  Anna, 
crossing  tiie  Mattapony  and  North  Anna.  On  the  i^Jd  they 
were  assigned  to  the  support  of  a  battery.  Tbe\  evxv>sed 
the  stream,  and  threw  up  a  line  of  works.  Accompanying  the 
movement  across  tlie  Pamunkey,  on  May  30,  thoy  found  the 
rebels  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  near  Tokpotomy  Creek.  At 
the  battle  at  that  place,  the  Thirty-sixth  suffered  severely. 
During  the  night,  the  regiment  marched  to  Cold  Harbor  ;  and, 


55G 


iiisTonr  OF  wfscoysiy. 


on  the  morning  of  the  "il,  the  whole  line  marched  on  the 
enem3^'s  position  by  brigades,  when  the  Thirty-sixth  again  lost 
severely,  and  Col.  Haskell  was  killed.  The  losses  of  the  regi- 
ment from  May  2G  to  June  7,  as  officially  reported,  were, 
sixty-four  killed,  or  died  of  wounds,  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty-six  wounded.  Taking  part  in  the  general  movement 
of  the  army  of  Gen.  Grant  across  liie  James  River,  the  Thirty- 
sixth  with  its  corps  crossed  the  peninsula  to  Charles  City  Court 
House,  and  on  the  15th  marched  to  Petersburg.  In  the  gen- 
eral charge  on  the  enemy's  works,  they  formed  in  line  of 
battle,  and  fought  nobly ;  Col.  John  A.  Savage  being  mortally 
wounded.  In  this  engagement,  the  regiment  lost  forty  killed, 
or  died  of  wounds,  and  eighty-one  wounded. 

On  the  21st  the  regiment  moved  to  the  left  of  Petersburg. 
On  the  24th  they  went  into  camp,  and,  for  the  first  time  in 
four  weeks,  had  a  good  night's  rest.  In  this  vicinity,  they 
remained  until  July  25.  On  the  2Gth  they  broke  camp,  and 
crossed  the  Appomattox  and  James  Rivers,  near  ^Malvern  Hill, 
to  Strawberry  Plain.  Here  a  few  guns  were  captured.  The 
corps  subsequently  returned,  and  made  a  forced  march  to 
Petersburg  on  the  29th,  arriving  in  time  to  witness  the  tremen- 
dous cannonading,  and  the  deplorable  failure  of  the  under- 
taking of  the  mining  operations.  On  the  24th  of  October 
the  regime  )it  marched  to  the  enemy's  position  at  Hatcher's 
Run,  and,  in  the  engagement  which  took  place,  captured  a 
larger  number  of  prisoners  than  it  had  men  engaged.  Capt. 
Fish  and  his  regiment  were  higlily  commended  by  Gen.  Egan 
for  gallantry  and  daring  coolness  in  charging,  and  driving  back 
a  greatly  superior  force. 

After  this  .affair,  the  regiment  returned  to  its  old  camp, 
where  it  remained  until  the  oth  of  February,  18C5. 

The  Thirty-seventh  Regiment  was  organized  under  the  call 
of  the  President  of  Feb.  1,  1S64,  and  Samuel  Harriman  commis- 
sioned colonel.  Six  companies  were  mustered  into  service  the 
latter  part  of  March ;  and,  their  services  being  needed,  they 
■were  sent  forward,  under  command  of  Major  Kershaw,  and 
reported  at  Washington  on  the  1st  of  May.  The  six  com- 
panies went  into  camp  on  Arlington  Heights.  On  the  30th 
they  embarked  at  Alexandria,  and  proceeded,  by  way  of  For- 


niSTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


657 


tress  Monroe  and  York  River,  to  White  House,  Va.,  arriving 
on  tlie  2il  of  June.  They  were  sent  forward  as  guard  to  a 
supply-train,  and  at  Cold  Harbor  were  assigned  to  the  first 
brigade.  On  the  12tb  they  took  position  in  the  first  line  of 
works ;  and,  on  the  evening  of  that  day,  took  part  in  the 
general  movement  of  Grant's  army  across  James  River,  to 
Petersburg,  before  which  place  they  arrived  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  16th.  On  the  17th  and  18th  two  severe  engagements  took 
place,  in  which  the  Thirty-seventh  took  an  active  part,  and 
suffered  severely.  The  regiment  behaved  with  great  gallantry ; 
and  Gen.  Grant  issued  a  complimentary  order,  praising  the 
division  for  their  endurance  and  success.  Tlie  casualties)  show 
the  manner  in  which  the  Thirty-seventh  stood  up  under  a 
heavy  fire  at  the  first  battle  in  which  they  were  engaged. 
Killed,  or  died  of  wounds,  sixty-five  ;  wounded,  ninety-three. 

On  the  22d  of  June  the  regiment  returned  to  its  old  posi- 
tion near  the  Norfolk  and  Petersburg  Railroad,  where  they 
remained  until  July  10,  doing  j)icket  and  fatigue  duty.  The 
explosion  of  the  mine  under  the  enemy's  fort  on  the  30th  of 
July,  and  the  disastrous  failure  of  the  whole  scheme,  have 
become  matters  of  history.  The  thii'd  division  suffered  greatly. 
Out  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  nnn  who  went  out  in  the  morn- 
ing, but  ninet3'-five  answered  at  roll-call  that  evening.  The 
casualties,  as  reported,  were  fifty-seven  killed,  and  fifty-three 
wounded.  After  the  battle,  the  regiment  was  relieved  from 
the  front  line,  and  Avithdrew  to  the  rear,  where  it  remained 
until  the  19th  of  August.  From  the  19th  to  the  21st  of 
August,  there  Avere  a  number  of  engagements  on  the  Weldon 
Railroad,  in  which  the  regiment  had  four  killed,  and  twelve 
wounded.  On  the  29th  the  brigade  marched  to  Poplar-grove 
Church,  at  which  another  engagement  took  place.  In  Novem- 
ber the  brigade  moved  to  the  mine,  or  crater  fort,  which  they 
had  occupied  on  the  30th  of  July.  In  December  the  regiment, 
with  others,  marched  to  Hawkins's  Tavern  to  re-enforce  the 
Second  and  Fifth  Corps,  under  Gen.  Warren,  who,  a  few  days 
before,  made  a  raid  on  the  Weldon  Railroad.  They  met  the 
corps  on  their  return,  and  went  into  their  old  camp,  on  the 
Baxter  Road,  where  they  remained  until  the  spring  campaign 
opened. 


888 


niSTORr  OF   WISCONSIN. 


Tho  Thirty-eighth  Regiment  bcgjiu  to  orgiiuizo  March,  18G4, 
under  the  siiiiervi.sion  of  Cul.  BintlilT.  liel'ore  tho  regiment 
could  bo  filled,  tho  government  discontinued  tho  payment  of 
bounties,  when  rconiiting  fell  off,  and  almost  entirely  ceased. 
In  consecpienco  of  tliis,  only  fonr  comjjanies  could  bo  organ- 
ized, whieli,  having  been  mustered  into  service,  left  Camp 
Randall,  Madison,  on  tho  3d  of  May,  180-1,  for  Washington. 
Another  company  was  sent  forward  in  July,  and  other  compa- 
nies in  September.  Col.  IWntliff  took  command  on  their  arrival 
before  Petersburg,  on  tho  1st  of  October,  thus  completing  tho 
regiment.  On  their  arrival  at  Washington,  they  encamped  on 
Arlington  Heights.  On  tho  30th  they  marched  to  Alexandria, 
and  embarked  for  White  House,  at  that  time  the  base  of  sup- 
plies of  (icn.  Grant's  army.  On  their  arrival,  they  were  tem- 
porarily consolidated  witii  the  First  Minnesota,  and  assigned  to 
tho  provisional  brigade  of  Gen.  Abercrombic,  and  were  engaged 
in  escorting  supply-trains  to  Cold  Harbor.  On  tho  12lh  they 
moved  to  the  front  lino  of  the  works  ;  in  the  evening  com- 
menced Gen.  Grant's  grand  Hank  movement  to  tho  rear  of 
Richmond,  arriving,  on  tho  IGth  of  June,  in  front  of  Peters- 
burg, and  moving  out  under  fire  to  the  battle-field.  They  took 
an  active  part  in  tlio  engagement  on  tho  17th  and  18th, 
in  which  tlio  regiment  had  fifteen  killed,  and  thirty-fivo 
wounded.  They  remained  in  tho  front  lines  till  the  4th  of 
July,  fighting  by  day,  and  working  by  night.  On  that  day  they 
returned  to  tho  second  lines,  tho  battalion  being  reduced  to 
forty  men  fit  for  duty.  Hero  they  encamped  until  the  19th, 
when  they  moved  to  tho  front,  and  assisted  in  repulsing  an 
attack  of  tho  enemy.  On  tho  30th  of  July,  when  tho  order 
was  given  to  advance,  after  tho  explosion  of  tho  mine,  tho 
regiment  which  was  selected  to  lead  tho  charge  faltered.  Gen. 
Hartruft  ordered  the  Thirty-eighth,  scarcely  numbering  a 
hundred,  to  take  tho  lead.  Hero  they  had  nine  killed,  and  ten 
■wounded.  Sub^e(iuently,  tho  battalion  was  relieved  from  tho 
front  lines,  and  encamped  behind  tho  second  lino,  where  it 
remained  until  Aug.  G,  when  they  returned  to  tno  first  line, 
and  were  engaged  in  siege  and  picket  duty  until  Aug.  19, 
when  they  moved  towards  the  Weldon  Railroad,  and  took  part, 
with  the  Fifth  Corps  to  obtain  possession  of  the  medium  of 


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BISTOnr  OF  WISCONSIS. 


supplies  to  the  enemy.  lu  the  engagements  that  follovrcd,  the 
enemy  were  driven  back,  and,  in  the  attempt  to  regain  posses- 
sion of  their  works,  were  repulsed  with  great  slaughter.  The 
battalion  proceeded  to  Reams  Station,  to  re-enforce  the  Second 
Corps,  and  on  the  26th  fell  back  to  near  Yellow  House, 
where  they  were  engaged  in  ordinary  duties  until  Sept.  26, 
when  they  moved  toward  Poplar-grove  Church.  In  the  engage- 
ment at  that  place,  they  took  part,  and  also  near  Hatcher's 
Run.  In  the  latter  part  of  November,  they  moved  opposite 
to  Petersburg,  and  remained  in  their  rifle-pits,  under  the  heavy 
fire  of  the  enemy,  until  the  spring  campaign  opened. 

The  Thirty-ninth,  Fortieth,  and  Forty -first  Regiments  of 
infantry,  comprising  Wisconsin's  contribution  to  the  "  hundred 
days' "  service,  were  recruited  principally  in  the  latter  part  of 
May,  and  beginning  of  June,  1864,  and  organized  under  the 
supervision  of  Col.  Edwin  Buttrick  of  Milwaukee,  Col.  W. 
Augustus  Ray  of  Delavan,  and  Lieut.-Col.  George  B.  Goodwin 
of  Menasha  respectively. 

The  Thirty-ninth  left  Camp  Washburn,  at  Milwaukee,  on 
the  13th  of  June,  and  were  followed  on  the  15th  by  the 
Fortv -first.  Proceeding  by  way  of  Cairo,  111.,  they  arrived  on 
the  17th  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  where  both  regiments  were 
assigned  to  the  third  brigade,  which  was  placed  under  com- 
mand of  Col.  Buttrick. 

The  Fortieth  left  Camp  Randall  on  the  14th  of  June,  and,, 
moving  by  rail  to  Alton,  IlL,  proceeded  thence  by  steamer 
down  the  Mississippi,  landing  on  the  19th  at  ^lemphis,  Tenn., 
where  they  were  assigned  to  the  second  brigade,  district  of 
Memphis. 

The  regiments  were  placed  in  camp  within  the  fortifications, 
and  employed  principally  in  garrison,  picket,  and  railroad* 
guard  duty,  participating  in  occasional  skirmishes  on  the 
picket-line.  On  the  21st  of  August,  the  rebel  general,  Forrest, 
with  a  force  of  about  five  thousand  cavalry,  made  a  dash  upon 
the  city  at  daylight,  and  succeeded,  at  one  point,  in  passing 
through  the  lines.  Our  regiments  were  promptly  humed  to 
the  front,  and,  in  the  action  which  ensued,  behaved  with 
gallantry,  sustaining  slight  loss.  The  rebels  soon  retired,  with 
a  few  prisoners  whom  they  had  captured ;  and,  after  a  march 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSm. 


561 


of  two  miles,  our  troops  returned  in  the  afternoon  to  camp. 
The  term  of  service  of  these  troops  having  expired  in  the 
beginning  of  September,  they  were  ordered  to  return  to  Wis- 
consin for  muster  out  of  service.  The  Thlrtj'-ninth  and  Forty- 
first  were  discharged  at  Camp  Washington ;  and  the  Fortieta, 
which  arrived  on  the  14th  of  September,  was  soon  afterwards 
mustered  out  at  Camp  Randall. 

The  Forty-second  Regiment,  organized  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  Col.  Ezra  T.  Sprague,  fonnerly  adjutant  of  the 
Eighth  Infantry,  under  the  call  of  July  18,  18G4,  were  finally 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  on  the  7th  of  Septem- 
ber, 18G4.  From  Camp  Randall,  they  proceeded  b}-  rail  to 
Cairo,  111.,  at  which  place  thej^  arrived  on  the  22d  of  Sep- 
tember, and  engaged  in  the  discharge  of  post  and  garrison 
duty.  On  the  24th  Col.  Sprague  was  assigned  to  the  command 
of  the  post,  and  Licut.-Col.  Botkin  put  in  command  of  the 
regiment. 

The  Forty-third,  Forty-fourth,  and  Forty-fifth  Regiments 
were  oi'ganized  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year. 

The  First  Cavalry,  on  the  14th  of  Januar}',  1804,  moved  to 
Dandridge.  They  participated  on  the  17th  in  the  battle  at  this 
place,  sustaining  a  loss  of  thirty-two  men  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing.  During  the  night,  they  fell  back  toward  Knoxville, 
through  which  they  passed  on  the  19th,  encami)ing  on  the  road 
to  Sevierville.  On  the  21st,  camp  was  moved  sixteen  miles 
beyond  the  latter  place,  on  the  Fair  Garden  Road,  from  which 
point,  having  effected  a  reconnoissance  of  the  surrounding 
country,  they  returned  on  the  2>th,  with  a  number  of  prisoners, 
to  Sevierville.  In  the  engagement  near  this  place,  on  the  27th, 
the  regiment  occupied  the  extreme  left  of  our  line,  and 
sustained  but  trifling  loss. 

During  the  next  three  days,  they  marched  to  various  points 
in  the  vicinity,  going  into  camp  on  the  31st  at  IMarysville, 
where  the  regiment  was  stationed  as  guard  until  the  9th  of 
February,  at  which  date  they  moved  to  Motley's  Ford,  on  the 
Little  Tennessee  River.  On  the  24th  they  marched  to  Madi- 
sonville,  and  moving  thence  on  the  10th  of  March,  by  way  of 
Calhoun  and  .Athens,  encamped  on  the  12th  at  Cleveland, 
where  they  were  joined  on  the  2Gth  by  Lieut.-Col.  Torrey, 
with  a  large  number  of  recruits  from  Wisconsin. 


562 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Here  the  regiment  was  employed  in  guard -duty  with  frequent 
reconnoissances,  as  skirmishers,  with  the  enem)',  until  the  3d  of 
May,  wht'n  they  marched  with  the  division,  arriving  on  the 
7th  at  Varnell's  Station,  on  the  Cleveland  and  Dalton  Railroad. 
On  the  0th  the  second  brigade,  under  command  of  Col.  La 
Grange,  was  ordered  forward  to  develop  the  position  of  the 
enemy  on  the  railroad,  three  miles  from  Varnell's.  Nearly  the 
whole  of  Gen.  Wheeler's  force,  supported  by  a  division  of 
infantry,  were  drawn  up  in  a  strong  position ;  and,  after  a 
severe  engagement,  our  forces  returned  to  camp,  the  principal 
losi  sustained  being  prisoners  captured  by  the  rebels.  Thence- 
forward the  regiment,  with  the  first  cavalry  division,  accompa- 
nied the  march  of  Gen.  Sherman's  forces,  covering  the  left 
fiank  of  our  army,  and  taking  part  in  daily  actions  with  the 
enemy.  On  the  2Gth  five  companies,  with  a  portion  of  an 
Indiana  regiment,  attacked  a  brigade  of  rebel  cavalry  near 
Burnt  Hickory,  seven  miles  from  Dallas,  routing  the  enemy 
with  great  loss,  and  capturing  three  officers  and  forty-four 
men ;  and  on  the  4th  of  June  a  detachment  of  the  regiment 
occupied  Ackworth,  having  previously  defeated  a  small  body 
of  rebels  who  held  the  place.  On  the  Gth,  with  the  brigade, 
they  participated  in  a  sharp  skirmish,  and  occupied  Big  Shanty, 
whence  they  marched  on  tlie  9th,  on  a  rcconnoissance  to  the 
front,  and  on  the  IGth  moved  with  the  left  of  the  army  to 
position  before  the  enemy's  lines  on  Lost  Mountain,  in  which 
vicinity  they  remained,  taking  part  in  frequent  engagements 
until  the  1st  of  July,  at  which  date  they  moved  to  Howell's 
Ferry,  on  the  Sweetwater  River.  On  the  8d  they  participated 
in  a  sharp  skirmish  near  the  Chattahoochee  River,  and  next 
day  returned  to  position  near  Lo^t  Mountain.  After  the 
enemy's  retreat  across  the  river,  they  were  employed  in  several 
reconnoissances  and  scouting-expeditions  on  the  left  of  the 
army,  and  crossing  the  Chattahoochee  on  the  22d,  near  the  rail- 
road-bridge, took  part  in  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy  on  the 
right  flank  of  the  army,  three  miles  south  of  Beechtown  Creek. 
Forming  a  part  of  Gen.  McCook's  expedition  to  the  rear  of 
Atlanta,  they  crossed  the  Chattahoochee  on  the  2Yth,  and, 
marching  in  a  south-westerly  direction,  recrossed  the  river  six 
miles  below  Canipbelltown,  where  the  regiment  was  detached 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


563 


from  the  main  body,  and,  pswsing  through  the  town,  attacked 
the  advance  of  the  rebel  general's  (Armstrong)  force,  two  thou- 
sand .jtrong,  at  a  point  two  miles  and  a  half  east  of  Campbell- 
town,  on  the  Atlanta  and  West  Point  Railroad.  After  a  severe 
engagement,  they  were  compelled  to  withdraw,  and  returned  to 
Marietta  on  the  31st,  as  escort  to  a  pontoon-train  and  battery, 
having  sustained,  during  the  raid,  a  loss  of  thirtj'-one  men. 
From  Marietta,  they  moved  ten  miles  south-west,  where  they 
were  stationed,  covering  the  return  of  stragglers  from  Gen. 
McCook's  forces,  until  the  7th  of  August,  when  they  marched 
to  the  railroad-bridge  across  the  Chattahoochee.  On  the  10th 
they  were  put  in  motion  towards  Cartei-sville,  at  which  place 
they  arrived  on  the  12th,  and  were  employed  in  scouting  and 
forage-duty.  On  the  17th  of  October  they  again  marched 
to  Calhoun,  and  on  the  4th  of  November  were  ordered  to 
Louisville,  Ky.  Here  they  remained  until  the  4th  of  Decem- 
ber, when  they  proceeded  to  Bowling  Green,  and  thence  to 
Hopkinsville,  where  they  drove  the  enemy  from  the  town, 
capturing  two  pieces  of  artillery  and  fifteen  prisoners.  They 
pursued  the  enemy  to  Elizabethtown,  where  they  captured 
eleven  prisoners,  w'en  the  pursuit  was  abandoned.  The 
campaign  being  closed,  the  regiment  went  into  winter-quarters 
at  Waterloo,  Ala.,  where  they  remained  until  the  10th  of 
March,  1865. 

The  Second  Cavalry,  on  the  27th  of  May,  1804,  moved  to 
Vicksburg ;  and,  on  the  11th  of  May,  the  veterans  returned 
from  Wisconsin,  Col.  T.  Stephens  in  command.  The  regiment 
were  engaged  in  scouting  in  South-western  ^lissouri  and  North- 
western Arkansas  during  the  summer,  and  on  the  1st  of  Sep- 
tember returned  to  Vicksburg,  and  were  engaged,  in  the  months 
of  October,  November,  and  December,  in  lieavy  scouting-duty. 
On  the  2d  of  December  Lieut.-Col.  Dale,  with  two  hundred 
and  fifty  men  of  the  Second  Cavalry,  encountered  a  large  body 
of  the  enemy  near  Yazoo  City,  on  the  Vicicsburg  Road,  wh-^'" 
two  were  killed,  eight  wounded,  and  twenty-seven  reported 
as  taken  prisoners.  On  the  8th  of  December  the  regiment 
moved  up  the  river  to  Memphis,  and  were  engaged  in  scouting, 
&c.,  to  the  last  of  April,  1805. 

The  Third  Cavalry,  on  the  30th  of  March,  1864,  moved  from 


5G4 


HISTORY  OF  WlSCO\sm. 


Van  Buren,  and  arrived  at  Little  lloek  on  the  IGth  of  April, 
18G4,  when  seven  comJ)ani^■s  returned  to  Wisconsin  on  veteran 
furhmgh.  They  re-asscmhied  on  the  I'Jth  of  June,  and  were 
again  in  camp  at  Duvall's  IJlulT,  whence  tliey  subsequently 
moved  to  Iluntsville,  and  were  engaged  in  picket  and  guard 
duty,  and  as  escort  to  trains  between  Little  Rock  and  Duvall's 
Bluff.  In  August  a  detachment  of  one  hundred  and  four  men, 
under  ^Lijor  Derry,  joined  an  expedition  in  p'.rsuit  of  the  rebel 
general's  (Shclln')  force.  The  other  five  companies  were  sta- 
tioned in  Kansas  and  Missouri,  engaged  in  scouting,  picketing, 
forage,  and  escort-tluty.  Major  Derr}-,  on  the  2oth  of  Septem- 
ber, left  on  an  expedition  to  Fort  Smith,  and  returned  to  Little 
lloek  on  the  loth  of  October,  18G4,  where  the  regiment  remained 
during  the  winter. 

Lieut.  Earll  of  the  Fourth  Cavalry  on  the  10th  of  January, 
18G4,  left  camp  on  a  scouting-expedition,  with  a  party  of  seven- 
teen men,  and  surprised  a  party  of  fifty  rebels  at  Olive  Church, 
twenty-three  miles  from  Baton  Rouge,  and,  gallantly  charging 
upon  them,  succeeded  in  capturing  twent\'-five  men  and  all  the 
horses.  In  endeavoring  to  return  to  camp,  they  fell  in  with 
two  parties  of  rebel  cavalry,  who  succeeded  in  recapturing  the 
men,  and  in  taking  Lieut.  Earll  prisoner.  In  February  Col. 
Boardman  and  Capt.  Keefe  were  engaged  in  scouting-expedi- 
tions  in  Louisiana ;  and,  in  an  expedition  made  in  the  month  of 
May,  Col.  Boardman  was  struck  by  four  balls,  the  last  penetrat- 
ing the  skull,  and  causing  instant  death.  On  the  27th  of  June 
the  regiment  embarked  in  transports,  and  moved  up  the  river 
to  ^lorganzia,  where  they  went  into  camp.  On  the  2.'ith  of 
August  they  accompanied  an  expedition  to  Clinton,  which 
accomplished  its  object,  and  returned.  They  also  made  two 
other  movements  on  Clinton  in  the  months  of  October  and 
November,  which  were  both  highly  successful.  On  the  27th 
the  Fourth  Wisconsin,  with  eight  other  cavalry  regiments  with 
pontoon-trains,  left  Baton  Rouge  for  the  purpose  of  making  a 
feint  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad,  with  the  object  of  keep- 
ing the  forces  in  the  vicinity  of  Mobile  from  making  a  demon- 
stration on  Gen.  Sherman's  army.  Taking  seventeen  days' 
rations,  they  marched  three  hundred  miles.  Arriving  within 
two  miles  of  Mobile,  they  took  a  south-westerly  cour.  e,  and 


666 


msToar  of  Wisconsin. 


struck  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  one  hundred  and  forty  miles  east  of 
New  Orleans,  when  they  embarked,  and  arrived  at  Baton  Rouge 
on  the  5th  of  January,  18G5,  without  losing  a  man. 

The  thirteen  batteries  of  light  artillery  were  engaged  during 
the  year  18G4  in  active  duty.  Space  will  not  admit  of  further 
details  of  the  movements  of  this  branch  of  the  military  service, 
including  batteries  A  to  JI  of  heavy  artillery.  Both  performed 
excellent  service  in  their  fields  of  labor. 

Such  is  a  brief  account  of  the  services  of  the  Wisconsin 
regiments  who  served  in  the  war  in  18G4.  No  State  in  the 
Union  furnished  better  men,  or  men  who  fought  more  valiantly 
in  the  defence  of  the  Union. 

On  the  15th  of  September,  18G4,  Gov.  Lewis  appointed  Jason 
Downer,  Esq.,  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  to  fill  the  place  of 
Hon.  Byron  Paine,  who  had  resigned  his  position,  to  take  effect 
Nov.  15,  18G4,  in  order  to  his  accepting  the  position  of  lieu- 
tenant-colonel of  the  Forty-third  Regiment,  to  which  he  had 
been  commissioned  on  the  10th  of  August,  on  the  organization 
of  that  regiment. 

The  November  elections  of  this  year  were  entered  into  with 
enthusiasm,  as  a  President  of  the  United  States  had  to  be 
chosen.  The  Republican  Union  electors  were,  W.  W.  Field, 
George  C.  Northrop,  Ilonry  Blood,  Jonathan  Bowman,  Allen 
Worden,  H.  J.  Turner,  II.  F.  Bclitz,  and  A.  S.  McDill.  The 
Democratic  electors  were,  Theodore  Rodolph,  Randall  Wilcox, 
J.  W.  Webster,  G.  T.  Thorn,  J.  S.  Tripp,  F.  W.  Horn;  C. 
Morgan,  and  H.  T.  Ramsey.  The  Republican  ticket  was  elected 
by  an  average  majority  of  sixteen  thousand. 

At  this  election,  the  Republican  Union  party  elected  sixtj'- 
nine  members  of  the  assembly,  and,  with  the  held-over  senators, 
had  twenty-three  members  of  the  senate.  Tho  Democrats  had 
thirty-three  members  of  the  assembly,  and  ten  senators. 

The  electoral  college,  at  a  subsequent  date,  cast  tho  vote  of 
the  State  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  President,  and  Andrew  John- 
son, Vice-President. 


CHAPTER  LIII. 

ADMINISTEATIOX  OF  GOV.   LEWIS. 

Events  of  1803  —  Loglslntloii  —  Mcssase  of  Gov  Lewis  —  War  Measures  —  Surren- 
der of  Ueii.  Lee  —  The  Draft,  &c. 


The  eigliteenth  sossion  of  the  State  legislature  convoued  at  Madison  on 
the  eleventh  day  of  .January,  1805,  and  adjourned  on  the  tenth  day  of  Ainil, 
after  a  session  of  ninety  days.  The  officers  of  both  houses  were  similar  to 
the  preceding  one  of  180t.  In  the  senate,  Wyman  Spooner,  lii'utcnant- 
governor,  presided;  Frank  JI.  Stewart  was  elected  chief  clerk,  and  Nelson 
Williams  sergeant-at-arms.  In  the  assembly,  William  W.  Field  was 
elected  speaker,  John  S.  Dean  chief  clerk,  and  Alonzo  Wilcox  sergeant- 
at-arms. 

Gov.  Lewis,  in  his  message,  said,  — 

"The  financial  conditiiin  of  tlio  State,  cotisiJoiiu;^  tlic  drafts  tliat  liave  iieeeasa- 
rily  liecu  iiiailo  upon  tlie  treasury,  U  very  tlaneiing.  .  .  .  Gicat  ere. lit  is  due  to 
tlio  sucrctary  uf  stale  nud  state  treasurer  fur  tliuir  luana^euient  in  liriu^iu;;  aliout 
tliij  result,  and  for  the  aide  and  cnicieut  niauuur  in  wliicli  tliey  liavo  disolmrged 
the  duties  of  tlicir  respective  departments." 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  important  measures  passed  by  *he  legisla- 
ture, omitting  those  of  a  military  character,  which  will  be  noticed  here- 
after :  — 

An  act  to  facilitate  tlie  conversion  of  tlio  State  currency,  and  to  provide  for  tak- 
ing up  oertaiu  State  i)onds;  an  auiendator^"  act  to  guard  tlie  aluisc  of  tlie  elective 
tranclnse,  and  to  preserve  tlie  purity  of  elections  liy  a  registratioii  of  electors;  an 
act  in  rclatiun  to  insurance-companies  doing  liusiucss  in  tlio  State;  to  provide 
more  cfTectually  for  tlio  protection  of  State  lands;  an  act  to  extend  tlio  riglit  of 
suffrage,  conferring  tliis  riglit  on  colored  pei-sons,  provided,  that  nt  tlie  next  gen- 
eral election,  held  in  November,  IWk',  a  mojority  of  tlio  votes  polled  shall  declare 
for  such  right;  to  provide  feu-  levying  and  collecting  a  Stote  tax  for  the  year  ]8(i.) 
(three  hundred  and  fifty  thousund  dollars);  to  proviJo  for  laUiug  a  cousur  or 
enumeration  of  the  peoi>lo  of  this  .State;  to  authorize  tlie  conversion  of  State  hanks 
to  national  banking  associations;  to  provide  for  completing  tiio  woric  on  tlio  State 
Capitol,  by  which  the  huilding-coiumisslonors  wore  authorized  to  contract  for  the 
continuation  of  the  work  on  the  Houtli  wing,  ond  twenty-five  tliousauil  dollars 
appropriated  for  said  work;  to  dispose  of  tlio  swamp  and  overHowed  lands  and 
the  proceeds  thereof,  by  the  provision  of  which  act,  the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of 

fi07 


068 


nr STORY  OF  wtscossiy. 


»Mrh  InncU  are  to  !>«  diviitod  In  two  parts,  —one  tn  lie  known  ai  tlie  "  Normal 
8i:lioi>l  I'liiiil,"  and  tlio  oili«>r  »h  the  "  Drnlnugo  Kitml,"  the  Incoinn  from  the  for- 
mer to  be  applied  to  eitablidhhi);  and  Huppurtln»(  norniul  HchouU,  and  the  latter 
to  he  apportioned  to  the  coiiiitleH  in  proportion  to  tlio  amount  sold  in  each 
county  with  lerlaln  rostrlrtlmn;  to  codify  and  consolidate  tlio  laws  relative  to 
the  assessment  and  collection  of  taxes. 

Tho  following  is  a  summary  of  the  laws  passed  of  a  military  charac- 
ter:— 

To  niithorlzo  pitlns,  towns,  and  villages  to  pay  liountles  to  volunteers;  to  In- 
corporate tho  Wisconsin  .Soldiers'  Homo  (of  which  notice  will  lie  Klven  hereafter); 
to  aineuil  tho  act  relative  to  tho  commcnceincnt  an<l  prosecution  of  civil  actions 
Bsainsf  persons  in  the  military  service  of  tlio  country ;  to  authorize  tho  payment 
of  salaries,  clerk-hire,  and  ex|)enses  of  the  oflicos  of  tho  adjutant-[;«neral  and 
qnartermastur-|>cnurul  from  the  war  fund;  to  amend  an  act  anthorizing  conimis- 
slonoil  olHccrs  to  tako  acknowlcd|;meiits  of  deeds,  atlldavits,  and  depositions;  to 
auienil  the  act  extcndinj}  the  rl;;ht  of  suffrajjo  to  soldiers  in  thotleUl;  to  provide 
for  corrcclinjj  ami  completing  the  reiH)rds  of  the  adjutant-Kenerars  olHco  relative 
to  the  military  history  of  the  meinbors  of  the  several  military  orBaiilzations  of 
this  State;  llxing  the  salary  of  the  ailjutant-j»oiioral  and  quartermaster-Kenoral, 
and  their  clerks  and  assistants;  to  prohiiiit  volunteer  or  substitute  brokerime  ;  a 
Buppleiuontary  and  explanatory  bill  aiithoriziuK  towns  and  villasos  to  raise 
money  to  pay  bounties  to  voluntei  is;  amendiuK  a  law  relating  to  the  relief  of 
soliliers'  families;  to  provide  for  tho  establishment  of  State  a.'^oncies  for  the  relief 
and  care  of  sick,  wonndeil,  ami  disabled  soMiors;  to  authorize  the  borrowing  of 
money  to  repel  invaiion,  suppress  insurrection,  and  dofoiul  tho  State  in  time  of 
war,  not  exceeding  ei),'lit  liun<lred  and  llfty  thousand  dollars. 

To  summarize:  there  were  fifty-four  bills  passed  amending  previous  general 
laws,  twelve  amending  private  ami  locol  laws,  twenty-seven  relative  to  banks, 
seventy-three  relating  to  bounties,  twenty  conferring  powers  on  the  governor, 
and  seventeen  on  the  secretary  of  State,  nine  granting  lands  for  railroad  and 
other  purpo-!es,  tifteon  legalizing  certain  acts  of  town-ofHcers,  twenty-three  relat- 
ing to  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  twcut.y-flvo  incorporating  petroleuni-cc)mpanios, 
twenty-ono  relating  to  railroads,  thirty  oitending  the  time  for  the  collecting  of 
taxes,  Kive  hundred  and  thirty-nine  bills  were  onacied  of  a  general  oliariu!ter, 
nine  joint  resolutious,  eleven  memorials  to  Congress,  and  a  lai'ge  number  of 
appropriation  bills. 

Of  this  session  "  The  State  Journal  "  says,  — 

"  About  all  the  important  measures  brought  before  the  legislature  were 
disposed  of.  Tho  appropriation-bills  all  passed,  except  that  of  thirty  thousand 
dollars  for  the  enlargement  of  the  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  and  also  the  bills  for  a 
temporary  loan  ami  special  tax  of  eight  huiulreil  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  for 
war-purposes,  and  a  general  tax  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  for 
general  expenses.  The  bill  increasing  the  rate  of  interest  was  defeated  in  the 
assembly,  also  the  bill  allowing  the  Itacine  and  Mississippi  Railroad  to  build 
branches  to  Milwaukee  and  Chicago." 

On  the  10th  of  April,  the  last  day  of  the  session,  Gov.  Lewis  sent  to  the 
legislature  the  following  message :  — 

"  Four  years  ago,  on  the  day  fixed  for  adjournment,  the  sad  news  of  the  fall  of 
Fort  Si:mter  was  transmitted  to  the  legislature.  To-day,  thank  Uo<l!  and,  next  to 
hiui,  the  brave  oiUcers  and  Boldiers  of  oiu  army  and  navy,  I  am  permitted  tu 


niSTORY  OF  WISC0S3IN. 


069 


tranwiit  to  rou  theofflclnl  intelllRem-e.  just  received,  of  the  surrender  of  Oen.  I^o 
and  his  army,  the  hist  prop  of  tlie  lEtilivllion.     I>!t  us  rejoUe,  and  thnuk  the 
Kuler  of  tlie  I'liion  for  victory,  und  the  prospects  of  an  houorahle  peace. 
8i){ned, 

"  James  T.  Lkwm." 


Tlie  accompanying  Jes])atches  of  the  corregpondence  between  Gens.  Grant 
and  [..ce,  and  Sfcrctary  Stanton  and  Gun.  Grant,  woro  then  reail  by  the 
cleric,  and  received  most  enthusiastically.  On  their  conclusion,  the  senate 
gave  three  clieers  for  Gen.  Grant  and  the  army  under  his  command. 

On  the  7th  of  February,  1805,  Gov.  Lewis  submitted  to  the  Icgisluturo  tho 
pro|)osed  constitutional  amendment  abolishing  slavery  in  the  United  States; 
luid  in  his  message  ho  said,  — 

"  Upon  its  adoption  hanj^s  the  destiny  of  four  millions  of  human  heings,  and,  it 
may  he,  tlie  destiny  of  the  nntlnn.  I  trust,  and  doiiht  not,  the  legislature  of  Wis- 
conoin  will  record  its  ilecinion  ihinly,  and  I  hope  unanimously.  In  favor  of  tho 
amendment.  I..et  us  wipe  fr<>m  our  escutcheon  the  foul  hlot  of  human  slavery, 
and  show  by  our  action  that  wo  aro  worthy  of  tho  name  of  freemen." 

In  the  senate,  on  tho  21st  of  February,  tho  question  came  up  in  a  joint 
resolution  to  ratify  the  constitutional  amendment.  On  a  voto  being  taken, 
the  resolution  was  adopted,  —  ayes  21,  n.iys  5.  On  the  2jth,  three  senators 
a.sked  to  have  their  votes  recorded  in  favor  of  the  same,  and  two  against  it; 
making  the  voto  in  the  senate,  ayes  27,  nays  7.  On  tho  receipt  of  the  re.so- 
lution  in  tho  a.ssombly,  a  voto  was  t.iken  on  tho  24th  of  February,  with  tho 
following  result:  ayes  71,  nays  21,  2  absentees;  and  the  assembly  concurred 
in  the  .same. 

On  tho  17th  of  May,  Gen.  Winfield  Smith,  attorney-general  of  tho  State, 
and  Gov.  Lewis,  succeeded  in  effecting  a  settlement  with  the  General 
Government  for  tho  claim  of  the  State  for  the  five  per  cent  duo  from  tho 
Government  on  sales  of  public  lands  within  our  State.  This  claim  had 
been  withheld  many  years.  The  State  was  trustee  for  a  grant  of  lands  made 
to  build  a  canal  from  Milwaukee  to  Hock  Uiver,  and  sold  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  thousand  acres,  while  the  canal  never  was  built.  Tho  Government 
had  held  on  to  their  five  per  cent  fund  until  the  State  settled  for  this  amoimt 
of  land  sold ;  and  what  the  State  jiaid  over  to  tlie  Government  would  go  to  the 
ililwaukee  and  Rock  River  Canal  Company.  The  negotiations  between  tho 
State  and  tlio  Government  occupied  a  great  length  of  time,  but  were  now 
satisfactorily  settled.  On  tho  17th  of  May  the  balance  duo  the  State  to  that 
date,  amounting  to  $148,784.00,  was  paid.  In  tho  month  of  November 
the  further  sura  of  $5,070.28  was  sent  to  the  State  authorities,  being  the 
amount  which  had  accrued  since  the  date  of  settlement. 

The  governor,  by  special  order,  was  outhorized  to  rai.se  two  new  regi- 
ments; and  on  the  3d  and  5th  of  January,  1865,  he  directed  tho  organization 
of  the  Forty-sixth  and  Forty-seventh. 

The  quota,  under  the  call  for  three  hundred  thousand  on  the  10th  of 
December,  was  put  at  seventeen  thousand  eight  hundred.  This  amount 
was  considered  excessive;  and  a  correspondence  ensued  with  the  provost- 


570 


n  I  STORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


marshal-pffnoral.  After  a  full  pxatniimtion  was  inado,  tlip  revised  quota 
wan  asccrtuiiii'il  to  Im^  twolvo  thousand  thri-o  hundri'il  and  lifty-six;  which 
nuriiixT  was  a|)iK>rti(ino(l  amoiifr  tho  six  coiiijn.'Hsiiinal  distriots.  'I'ho  sixth 
district  protcsti'd  lliat  thi>  quota  aKsii;iii'd  that  district  was  cxci'ssivu.  Tho 
lin)Vost-iuur,slial-j,'i'ii('raI,  howovcr,  declined  iiiakiuf,'  any  chanj;t'. 

Oil  tliu  L'Utli  ami  L'Tlli  of  January,  IfjOu,  the  governor  ordered  tlie  Forty- 
oif^iith  and  Korty-nintli  lU'sinients  to  bu  orpjanized;  and  iu  Keliruary  tlie 
Fiftieth  Ue;,'iiniMit  was  ordered  into  camp,  and  orpanized.  As  tlie  draft  was 
ordered  to  take  place  on  the  'J7th  of  March,  and  a  new  impetus  was  therehy 
given  to  recruitinjj,  (iov.  Lewis  gave  directions  for  tlie  orifanization  of  tho 
rifly-first.  Kilty-second,  and  Fifty-third  Kegiments  at  Camp  llamlall;  and 
the  Forty-sixth,  Forly-seventh,  Forty-ei;;lith,  Forty-ninth,  and  Fiftieth  were 
nil  filled  to  the  minimum,  and  left  the  State  iu  March. 

The  surreinler  of  Gen.  Lee  and  his  army  on  the  !Hh  of  April  was  virtually 
tho  close  of  the  war.  Tho  surrender  of  Gen.  Johnston  and  his  army  to  Gen. 
Sherman  followed  as  a  natural  con8e{|uenco.  Thereafter  the  rebel  \\:-:<\y  lost 
its  identity;  and  such  frafrmentary  portions  of  it  as  were  scattered  tliiou>;li- 
oiit  the  .Southern  States  oiiterod  into  negotiations  with  the  United  States 
authorities,  surrendereil,  and  disbanded;  the  last  to  do  so  bein;^  the  army  of 
(ten.  Kirby  .Smith  in  Texas.  Orders  were  received,  on  the  IDtli  of  April, 
to  discontinue  recruitincf,  and  discharijo  drafted  men  who  had  not  been 
mustered  in;  and,  about  the  Lst  of  May,  orders  were  pioniuli;ated  for  tho 
muster-out  of  all  organizations  whose  term  of  service  expired  on  or  before 
the  Lst  of  October,  \iXi.  ALiny  of  our  Wisconsin  troops  comin;;  under  the 
operations  of  this  order,  they  wore  soon  on  their  way  home.  Duriiifj  the 
summer,  the  State  ollicers  were  enga;j;ed  in  attcndinc;  to  the  reception  of 
returning;  re'j;iments,  their  payment  by  the  United  States,  and  the  settle- 
ment with  those  who  were  entitled  to  extra  pay  from  the  State.  During 
the  same  period,  the  musterinj.j-out  of  tho  several  ret^iments  continued,  ex- 
tending into  the  winter,  many  of  them  being  sent  to  tho  Uio  Grande  or  the 
north-western  frontier. 

The  total  number  of  troops  raised  during  the  term  of  Gov.  Lewis's  ad- 
ministration, up  to  April  150,  1805,  amounted  to  thirty-eight  thousand  six 
hundred  and  eighteen,  which  includes  volunteers  for  new  regiments  and 
batteries,  recruits  for  old  organizations,  veteran  re-enlistments,  drafted  men, 
and  the  oue-hundred-day  troops. 

At  the  election  in  the  month  of  April,  Hon.  Jason  Downer  was  elected 
judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  lion.  Hyrou  Paine, 
resigned.  The  20th  of  April,  1805,  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Lewis  as  a  day 
of  thanksgiving  for  the  overthrow  of  tho  Rebellion,  and  restoration  of 
peace. 

The  news  of  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln,  on  the  llth  of  April, 
was  received  in  AVisconsin,  as  in  all  the  loyal  f  ;ates,  with  great  sorrow. 
Public  msetings  were  held  in  the  prominent  cities  and  villages  of  tho  State, 
and  sermons  and  addresses  delivered. 

On  the  28th  of  June  Josiah  L.  Pickard  was,  by  the  regents  of  the  State 
University,  elected  chancellor;  which  position  woi  declined. 


572 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


The  Union  Convention  to  nominate  State  officers  for  two  years,  com- 
mencing Jan.  1.  1866,  was  held  at  Madison,  on  the  6th  of  September,  Hon. 
M.  li.  Martin,  president;  at  which  time  the  following  ticket  was  nominated: 
Governor,  Lucius  Fairchild;  Lieutenant-Governor,  Wymau  Spooner:  Secretary 
of  Stale,  Thomas  S.  Allen;  State  Treasurer,  William  E.  Smith;  Attorney- 
General,  Charles  R.  Gill;  Bank  Comptroller,  J.  M.  Kusk;  Stale-Prison  Com- 
missioner, Henry  Cordier;  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  Josiah  L. 
Pickard. 

The  Democratic  Convention  was  held  at  Madison  Sept.  20,  II.  L.  Palmer, 
president.  The  following  ticket  was  nominated:  Governor,  Harrison  C. 
Hobart:  Lieutenant-Governor,  U.  W.  Maxon;  Secretary  of  Slate,  L.  B.  Vilas; 
Stale  Treasurer,  J.  W.  Davis;  Bank  Comptroller,  Thom.is  McMahou;  State- 
Prison  Commissioner,  C.  Ilorneffer;  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  J. 
B.  Parkinson. 

The  Union  Republican  ticket  was  elected  by  an  average  majority  of  nine 
thousand.  At  the  same  election,  the  Union  and  Republicans  elected  sixty- 
eight  members,  and  the  Democrats  thirty-two.  The  senate  of  1806  had 
twenty-three  Unions  and  Republicans,  and  twelve  Democrats. 


CHAPTER  LIV. 


WISCON'SIX'S  WAR  RECORD. 


Events  of  1863,  continued  —  Rcginientnl  History  —  Battle-Fleld  Scenes  and  In- 
cidents,—  Tlie  Last  Year  of  tiie  War. 

The  "  Iron  Brigade,"  on  the  6th  of  February,  1803,  broke  camp,  and  took 
part  in  th«;  engacjement  near  Dabney's  Mill,  on  Hatcher's  Kuii.  In  this 
affair,  the  third  division  of  Gen.  Crawford,  of  the  Fifth  Corps,  took  the  ad- 
vance, and  bore  tlie  brunt  of  the  fight  on  the  0th  and  7th  of  February.  Our 
Wisconsin  regiments  fought  with  their  accustomed  gallantry;  and  their  loss 
was  very  sev"re.  The  loss  of  the  division  was  about  thirty-seven  officers 
and  eleven  hundred  and  forty-three  men,  an  aggregate  of  eleven  hundred 
and  eighty  out  of  about  four  tijousand  who  went  into  action.  The  loss  of 
the  Seventh  Regiment  in  the  battle  at  Dabney's  Mill,  on  the  0th  and  7th  of 
February,  18(io,  as  rei>ortcd  by  Lieut.-Col.  Richardson,  is  as  follows,  four 
killed,  and  nineteen  wounded.  Returning  to  camp  near  the  Military  Rail- 
road, they  remained  until  ordered,  in  the  middle  of  February,  to  proceed  to 
Baltimore.  On  arriving  at  City  Point,  the  order,  so  far  as  it  related  to  the 
Sixth  and  Seventh  Regiments,  w.ts  oount'irmanded;  and  the  two  regiments 
were  ordered  to  return  to  their  old  catnp,  when,  by  order  of  (Jen.  Crawford, 
they  were  re-organized  as  the  "  First  Provisional  Brigade,"  and  placed  under 
the  command  of  Col.  Kellogg  of  the  Sixth,  Lieut.-Col.  Kerr  assuming  com- 
mand of  the  regiment.  >?'^'-  5,  the  Xinety-first  New  York  Heavy  Artillery 
were  added,  making  the  .  rigade  about  three  thousand  men.  Here  they 
remained  until  the  opening  of  the  final  campaign,  which  resulted  in  the 
capture  of  Gen.  Lee. 

On  the  morning  of  the  29th  of  March,  1905,  the  brigade  broke  camp  near 
the  Military  Railroad,  and  moved  to  near  the  Boydtown  I'lank-road.  Hera 
line  of  battle  was  formed;  the  Sixth  and  Seventh  Wisconsin  forming  the 
first  line,  in  rear  of  the  second  brigade.  The  enemy  being  driven  from  his 
position,  the  brigade  was  ordered  to  a  point  near  the  road;  the  Seventh 
Wisconsin,  under  Lieut.-Col.  Richardson,  being  placed  on  the  rond,  and  the 
balance  of  the  brigade  about  eighty  rods  to  the  rear,  in  line  of  battle, 
where  they  remained  during  the  night,  and  next  day  adv.inced  to  the  road, 
and  threw  up  breastworks.  On  the  31st  the  brigade  moved  from  the 
breastworks,  in  a  north-westerly  direction,  across  Gravelly  Run,  where  it 

573 


574 


nr STORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


was  massed  in  column  of  re^ments  for  a  short  time,  ■when  it  was  ordered 
to  deploy  into  line  of  battle  to  the  right  of  the  second  bricrade.  Before 
this  movement  was  accomplished,  only  the  Sixth  and  Seventh  Wisconsin 
being  in  line,  Col.  Kellogg,  in  command  of  the  brigade,  was  orlercd  to  arrest 
the  men  from  the  front  line,  who  ware  falling  back  in  contusion.  Tliis  could 
not  be  done,  as  the  flying  troops  broke  through  his  line,  anti  threw  it  into 
confusion.  The  .Sixth  and  Seventh  were  ordered  toclosa  their  Intervals,  form 
into  lino  of  battle,  and  open  fire  on  the  enemy;  wliich  was  done,  and  con- 
tinued until  the  enemy  had  turned  both  flanks,  and  were  firing  on  the  flanks 
and  rear.  The  Seventh  Wisconsin  changed  front,  so  as  to  meet  the  fire  on 
their  flank;  but,  the  enemy  appearing  in  strong  force  in  the  rear,  the  brigade 
retired  across  Gravelly  llun  in  as  good  order  as  possible,  being  somewhat 
broken  up  by  being  compelled  to  fight  their  way  back.  The  Sixth  and  Seventh 
were  formed  on  the  front  line  next  to  the  creek,  near  the  bridge,  where  they 
remained  during  the  rest  of  the  eng.agement.  The  brigade  was  re-formed  in 
the  rear  of  tlieir  first  position,  and  ordered  to  lie  down,  and  were  afterwards 
moved  forward  on  the  battle-field,  ai;d  encamped.  The  Filth  Corps  had  been 
ordered  to  report  to  Gen.  Sheridan  at  Dinwiddle  Court  House.  On  Uio 
1st  of  April,  the  brigade  moved  in  line  of  battle  in  a  westerly  direction  to 
the  vicinity  of  the  Gravelly  Run  Church.  In  the  afternoon  the  Seventh 
Regiment  occupied  the  advance  line  on  the  left  of  the  brigade,  with  the 
Sixth  Wisconsin  on  the  right.  Companies  B  and  E  of  tlie  Seventh  were 
deployed  as  skirmishers,  covering  the  brigade  front,  advancing  in  line 
of  battle.  Tlie  enemy's  advance  was  driven  through  the  woods,  back 
upon  their  intrcnchmonts  ut  Five  Forks.  Gen.  Sheridan  ordered  Col.  Rich- 
ardson to  move  over  the  enemy's  works,  which  the  gallant  colonel  obeyed, 
wheeling  to  the  riglit,  and  charging  the  enemy  through  the  open  field,  driv- 
ing tlicni  through  the  woods,  following  their  retreating  columns,  and  again 
charging  tliem  tiirough  a  second  open  field.  Night  coming  on,  the  brigade 
fell  back  two  miles,  and  went  into  position  beliind  the  breastworks  captured 
from  the  enemy.  Tliis  was  the  part  taken  by  tiie  Sixth  and  S".  onth  Wis- 
consin in  the  famous  battle  of  Five  Forks.  On  the  2d  the  brigade,  advan- 
cing to  the  South  Side  Railroad,  found  the  position  abandoned  by  the  enemy. 
This  was  about  thirteen  miles  from  Petersburg.  Continuing  to  advance 
rapidly  in  a  westerly  direction,  the  enemy  were  found  intrenched  on  the 
Burkesville  Road.  The  brigade  was  deiiloyed  to  the  riglit  of  the  road,  in 
two  lines;  and  the  Seventh,  under  Col,  Richardson,  were  deployed  as  skir- 
mishers, witli  orders  to  cover  the  entire  front  of  tlio  line  of  battle.  Tlie 
enemy,  after  dark,  opened  fire  on  their  lines,  which  was  rejilied  to;  and  the 
command  advanced,  and  halted  within  a  few  rods  of  their  breastworks,  where 
they  lay  on  their  arms  all  night.  During  the  night  the  enemy  abandoned 
their  works.  Pursuit  was  made;  but  tiiey  were  not  overtaken,  and  the  bri- 
gade went  into  bivouac.  On  tlie  morning  of  the  4th  pursuit  was  resumed; 
and  Jettorsville  Station,  on  the  Danville  Railroad,  was  reached  in  the  after- 
noon, which  was  found  occupied  by  Gen.  Siieridan's  civalry,  and  the  enemy 
in  itrong  force  just  beyond.     Here  the  brigade  formed  in  line  of  battle,  the 


nrsTonr  or  Wisconsin. 


675 


men  ■weary  and  footsore,  having  travelled  all  day,  and  labored  all  night, 
throwing  up  breastworks.  Her"  they  resteJ,  waiting  for  an  attnck,  until 
the  6th,  when  the  enemy  was  found  to  liave  a.i^aiii  taken  fligiit.  Following 
him  during  the  6th  and  7th,  on  the  west  side  of  tlio  Appomattox,  they 
reached  High  Railroad  Bridge,  where  tiiey  foinid  the  enemy  had  crossed, 
and  set  the  bridge  on  fire.  On  the  8tli,  a  long  and  tiresome  forced  march 
was  made  by  the  brigade,  being  much  impedi'd  l>y  the  w.igon-trains  of  tho 
Twenty-fourth  Corps.  They  encamped  in  line  of  bat'le  that  night.  On  the 
9th,  pursuit  was  again  resumed;  and  the  gallant  "  Iron  Drigado  "  had  the 
proud  satisfaction  of  assisting  in  the  capture  of  the  famous  army  of  Gen. 
Lee  at  Appomattox  Court  House. 

In  the  short  campaign  from  March  20  to  April  9,  the  casualties  in  the 
Sixth  and  Seventh  Regiments  were  as  follows:  Sixth  Regiment,  killed,  or  died 
of  wounds,  sixteen;  Seventh  Regiment,  killed,  or  died  of  wounds,  eightoep; 
wounded,  fifty-two.  Mtn-  the  snrrender  of  the  rebel  forces  inider  Gen. 
Lee,  the  brigade,  on  tho  11th  of  April,  moved  to  Black  and  White's  Station, 
on  the  Petersburg  and  Lynclil)\irg  Railro.id,  and  went  into  c  .mp,  where  they 
remained  until  the  corps  commanders  were  ordered  to  marc:  thc^ir  respective 
commands  to  W.ishington.  They  arrived  tliere,  and  participated  in  the 
grand  review  on  the  S.ld  of  May,  and  went  into  camp  till  the  17th  of  .Juno, 
when  th°y  left  Washington  to  report  to  Major-Gen.  Logan,  at  Louisville, 
Ky.,  where  they  arrived  on  the  22,1  of  June.  Here  they  were  organized 
into  the  "Provisional  Divi.sion  "  of  Gen.  Morrow, — the  Seventh  Regiment 
in  the  first  brigade,  and  the  Sixth  in  the  second  brigade;  the  latter 
being  placed  under  the  command  of  Col.  Kellogg  of  the  Sixth,  who,  at  the 
muster-out  of  (ien.  Jlorrow,  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  tho  division. 
The  Seventh  was  mustered  out,  and  started  for  AVisconsin  on  the  2d  of 
July,  arriving  on  the  oth  at  Madison,  where  it  was  received  by  the  State 
authorities,  and  was  soon  after  paid  off,  and  tiie  regiment  disbanded.  The 
Sixth  was  mustered  out  on  the  11th,  and  arrived  at  Madison  on  tlie  10th, 
and  were  puliliely  received,  paid,  and  tlie  regiment  disbanded.  Col.  Kel- 
logg, the  last  brigade  commander,  issued  a  final  order,  dissolving  tho  organi- 
zation of  the  "  Iron  Brigade;  "  and  the  gallant  corps,  which  had  become  the 
pride  of  our  State,  ceased  to  exist.  Its  historj-  forms  one  of  the  brightest 
p.ages  in  our  national  records.  Col.  Kellogg  of  the  Sixth  was  subsequently 
brevettod  brigadier-general,  and  Lieut. -Col.  Richardson  of  the  Seventh 
was  brevetted  colonel,  and  subsequently  brigadier-general,  for  g.iUant  and 
meritorious  services  in  the  final  operations  of  tho  Army  of  tin  Potomac, 
particularly  at  the  battle  of  Five  Forks.  The  regiment  under  Lieut. -Col. 
Stephenson,  with  the  brigade  under  command  of  Col.  Hawley,  left  Sa- 
vannah on  the  17th  of  January,  181i.3,  in  continuation  of  the  marcli  t'lwards 
Goldsborough.  Tiie  maroh  was  without  any  historical  interest  until  the 
2Dth  of  January,  when  tho  regiment,  in  advance  of  tlie  division,  entered 
llobortsvillo,  S.C,  encountering  the  enc-my  about  a  mile  from  tho  village. 
Two  companies  went  forward  as  skirmishers,  and  the  firing  soon  became 
Bharp;  but  the  enemy  was  sent  flying  through  the  town.     The  regiment  bod 


576 


nr STORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


three  wounded.  March  was  resumed  on  the  2d  of  February,  which  was 
continued,  the  reijiment  pnffa.'jed  in  ffuardinjf  trains,  and  destroyinjf  railroad- 
track,  passin!»  Columbia,  and  proceeding  to  Winnsboroujjh,  and,  on  the 
6th  of  March,  camping  at  a  place  eleven  miles  from  Chesterfield,  where  it 
was  inspected,  and  found  to  be  in  rough  condition, — clothing  in  shreds, 
and  shoes  worn  out.  Thence  they  proceedyd  to  Cheraw,  S.C.,  building 
corduroy  road,  and  guarding  trains,  reaching  F.iyetteville,  N.C.,  on  tho 
11th  of  March.  On  the  l.")th  and  10th,  when  near  IMulf  Church,  the  regi- 
ment, with  the  brigade,  marched  to  the  support  of  the  cavalry  division, 
forming  line  of  battle  to  attack  the  enemy,  who  was  found  stroiigly  posted. 
The  skirmishers  became  hotly  engaged,  and  held  the  position  .several  hours, 
until  relieved.  The  casualties  of  tho  regiment  were  twenty-seven  killed 
and  wounded.  During  tho  remainder  of  the  day,  the  regiment  was  held  in 
reserve,  without  further  casualties,  and  was  relieved  at  dark  by  a  brigade  of 
the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps.  On  the  18th  and  19th  the  brigade  marclied,  and 
arrived  near  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  who  were  engaged  with  the  enemy. 
After  some  changes  of  position,  the  regiment  occupied,  with  tlie  brigade,  a 
position  on  tlic  left  of  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  facing  the  west.  Breast- 
works were  soon  completed;  and  the  brigade  remained  without  any  thing 
worthy  of  note  occurring  until  the  22d,  when,  the  enemy  having  retreated, 
march  was  resumed;  and,  on  tho  24th,  the  brigade,  with  the  rest  of  the 
army,  went  into  camp  near  Goldsborough.  These  affairs  are  known  as  the 
battles  of  Avorysborough  and  Uentonville.  Lieut.-Col.  Stephenson  reports 
the  following  casualties  in  the  regiment  from  Jan.  17  to  April  0,  18G5: 
killed,  four;  wounded,  twenty-six.  Moving  with  the  rest  of  the  army  in 
pursuit  of  the  rebels,  under  Johnston,  the  regiment  reached  Raleigh,  where 
it  remained  until  the  27th,  being  present  at  the  surrender  of  the  rebel  army. 
On  that  day  it  moved  on  its  homeward  march,  passing  through  Uichmond, 
anti  reaching  Alexandria  on  the  lOth  of  Miiy.  It  participated  in  the  grand 
review  of  .Sherman's  anny  at  the  national  capital,  encamped  a  few  miles 
from  Wa.shington,  from  whence  that  portion  of  the  Third  whose  term  of 
service  expired  before  the  1st  of  October  was  sent  to  Sladison,  and  mus- 
tered out.  The  balance  of  the  regiment,  to  which  was  added  several  hun- 
dred members  of  other  regiments,  whose  terms  did  not  expire  with  their 
respective  organizations,  were  sent  to  Louisville,  Ky.  Here  th^^;  i  ained 
until  the  21.st  of  July,  when  they  moved  by  rail  to  Madison,  arriving  on 
Sunday  evening,  July  23,  when  they  were  mustered  out  of  service,  and 
paid  off.  For  meritorious  services  during  the  war.  Col.  Ilawley  was  bre- 
vetted  brigadier-general,  and  Licut.-Col.  Steph'jnson  as  colonel. 

The  Fom-th  Hegiment,  as  has  been  before  remarked,  was  changed  into  a 
cavalry  regiment;  and  its  history  ns  the  Fourth  Cavalry  will  bo  referred  to 
hereafter.  The  Sixtli  lleginient,  on  the  2.Jth  of  Alarch,  1805,  participated 
in  the  general  skirmi.sh  along  the  whole  li  e,  and  succeeded  in  driving  in 
the  rebel  outpost,  then  in  front.  Here  Sergeant  William  Hall,  Company  G, 
was  killed,  and  Corporal  James  D.  Splain,  Company  O,  Edward  Martin, 
John  Morrison,  and  II.  S.  Otis,  Company  D,  and  Charles  O.  Foot,  Com- 


078 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


pony  K,  wounded.  Edward  Martin  is  reported  as  having  died  of 
wounds. 

In  tlio  cliargo  on  the  enemy's  works  at  Petersburg,  April  2,  the  Fifth 
Wisconsin  and  Thirty-seventli  Massiieiiust^tts,  lud  by  Col.  Allen,  were  in 
the  extreme  front,  supported  by  two  lines  in  the  rear.  At  four,  a.m.,  the 
signal  for  the  charge  was  given;  and  the  colors  of  the  Fifth  were  tlie  first 
planted  on  the  enemy's  works,  that  regiment  being  tlie  first  to  entor  the 
captured  works  of  Petersburg.  Col.  Allen  led  a  portion  of  tlio  regiment 
two  miles  through  the  abandoned  lines  of  the  enemy  to  tiie  left,  inside  of 
the  late  rebel  works,  capturing  many  prisoners,  then  back  to  the  right, 
where  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  skirmishing  till  night.  The  losses,  as 
officially  reported,  were,  killed,  eight;  died  of  wounds,  nine;  wounded, 
seventy-one. 

Tlie  loss  of  the  regiment  was  about  one-tenth  of  that  suffered  by  the 
whole  corps,  consisting  of  fifty  regiments. 

On  the  afternoon  of  April  ;i,  they  joined  in  the  pursuit  of  Lee;  the  Sixth 
Corps  encountering  Gen.  Kwell's  forces  at  Little  Sailors'  Creek  on  the  7th. 
The  lines  were  hurri<'dly  formed,  and  pushed  forward  at  a  double-quick; 
the  regiment  marching  with  unbroken  line  through  a  swamp  waist- 
deep,  under  fire  of  the  enemy's  musketrv.  They  moved  to  the  brow  of 
a  hill,  where  the  enemy  was  discovered  but  a  few  paces  disttuit,  admiral^ly 
jKisted,  and  fighting  witii  tlie  energy  of  despair.  The  regiment  was  in  an 
extremely  hazardous  [Kjsition,  lieing  sul)jected  to  a  severe  flank  and  cross 
fire.  Ciil.  Allen  rode  in  advance  of  the  line  as  cahnly  as  though  danger 
were  unknown.  Company  O  (Capt.  Henry  CuiTan)  and  Company  C  (Lieut. 
Evan  U.  Jones)  were  deployed  as  skirmishers.  Lieut. -Gen.  Ewell  and  staff 
surrendered  to  six  men  of  the  .skirmishers,  under  command  of  Sergeant  Cam- 
eron, Company  A,  who  was  promoted  lieutenant  on  the  field  for  gallantry. 
The  action  of  the  regiment  elicited  high  encomiums  from  the  corps,  division, 
and  brigade  commanders.  In  tlie  action  of  April  7,  tlie  regiment  had  six- 
teen killed,  seventy-nine  wounded,  and  three  died  of  wounds.  The  pursuit 
was  continued  until  the  Uth,  when  Lee  surrendered.  On  the  10th  the  regi- 
ment commenced  its  return,  and  reached  Burke's  Station  on  the  evening  of 
the  llith.  They  encamped  till  tiie  :2:ld  of  April,  and  marched  to  Danville, 
arriving  on  the  2Ttli,  and  reaching  Kiehinond  oi»  the  2()tli  of  May.  Leaving 
Kichmoiid  on  the  L'ltii  for  Washington,  tlicy  arrived  there  June  2,  after  a 
long  and  tedious  niareli.  On  tlie  lUtli  of  June  they  left,  for  JIadi.son,  Wis., 
arrived  on  the  2()th,  and  were  soon  after  mustered  out,  thus  closing  the 
record  of  the  "  Fighting  Fifth."  Col.  Allen  was  brevetted  brigadier-gen- 
eral for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  during  the  war.  The  record  of  the 
Sixth  and  Seventh  Regiments  has  Ikhmi  given  in  the  account  of  the  "Iron 
Jlrigade;"  and  it  is  not  necessary  to  repeat  it  at  this  time. 

The  Eighth  Regiment  joined  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy  after  the  battle  of 
Nashville,  marciied  one  liundred  and  fifty  miles,  and  encamped  at  Clifton, 
'Tenn.  On  the  2d  of  January,  1805,  they  moved  to  Eastport.  Embarkin'^ 
.on  the  0th  of  February,  they  proceeded,  with  the  Sixteenth  Corps,  down  the 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


679 


Tennessee,  to  Cairo,  and  thence  to  New  Orleans,  and  went  into  camp  five 
miles  below  that  city.  On  the  5th  of  March  they  moved  in  transports  to 
take  part  in  the  investment  of  the  defences  of  Mobile,  landing  at  Dauphin 
Island,  and  from  thence  proceeded  up  Fish  River,  ten  miles,  and  went  into 
camp.  On  the  25th  they  moved,  and  took  position  in  lines  before  the 
Spanish  Fort.  Here  they  were  engaged  in  fortifying,  and  the  performance 
of  picket-duty,  until  the  evacuation  of  the  fort,  on  the  0th  of  April,  when 
they  moved  to  a  position  before  Fort  Blakely,  and  took  part  in  the  charge 
on  that  place  with  a  small  loss.  After  the  surrender,  the  regiment  marched 
one  hundred  and  eighty  miles  to  Montgomery,  Ala. ,  where  they  remained 
until  the  10th  of  May,  when  they  marched  by  way  of  Selraa,  and  took  cara 
for  Uuiontown,  on  the  Alabama  and  Mississippi  Railroad.  Here  they  went 
into  camp,  and  remained  until  orders  were  received  for  their  muster-out. 
This  was  done  at  Demopolis,  Ala.,  on  the  5th  of  September;  and  the  regi- 
ment reached  Madison  on  the  13th,  where  they  received  their  pay,  and  were 
formally  disbanded. 

The  Eighth  was  known  as  the  "  Eagle  Regiment,"  from  the  fact  tliat  a 
live  eagle  was  carried  through  all  its  campaigns,  up  to  the  return  of  the 
non-veterans  in  1804.  Tliis  noble  bird  was  taken  from  the  parent  nest  in 
Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin,  by  an  Indian,  wlio  disposed  of  it  to  a  gentle- 
man in  Eau  Claire  County,  from  whom  it  was  purchased  by  ruenibers  of  Capt. 
Perkin's  company,  Eau  Claire  Eagles,  by  whom  it  was  presented  to  the  regi- 
ment while  organizing  in  1801.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  it  was  instantly 
adopted  as  the  regimental  pet,  and  was  christened  "  Old  Abe."  A  perch 
was  prepared  and  the  royal  bird  was  borne  with  the  regiment  on  all  its 
marches,  and  into  every  battle  in  which  the  gallant  Eightl;  was  engaged,  up 
to  the  muster-out  of  the  non-veterans.  Perched  on  his  standard,  above  the 
heads  of  the  men,  the  bird  was  more  than  once  the  mark  for  rebel  bullets, 
but,  luckily,  escaped  unharmed,  with  the  exception  of  the  loss  of  a  few 
feathers  shot  away.  He  returned  with  the  non-veterans  in  1804,  and  was 
presented  to  the  State,  and  placed  in  charge  of  the  quartorma-ster's  depart- 
ment, and  every  care  necessary  bestowed  on  him.  At  the  great  Chicago 
Fair  in  1803,  "  Old  Abe  "  was  exhibited,  and  his  photograph  disposed  off, 
realizing  the  amount  of  about  sixteen  thousand  dollars.  He  was  also 
exhibited  at  the  JNIilwaukee  fair  with  profitable  results.  We  are  told  that 
the  sum  netted  to  these  charitable  objects  was  about  twenty  thousaud  dol- 
lars, lie  occasionally  breaks  from  his  fetters,  and  soars  into  his  native 
element;  but  he  has  become  so  far  domesticated,  that  he  is  easily  recovered. 
Occasionally  the  music  of  a  band,  or  the  noise  of  a  drum,  will  reacli  his  ear, 
when  he  will  instantly  listen,  and  will  respond  with  his  characteristic 
scream,  probably  recognizing  the  strain  as  one  with  which  the  battle-field 
has  made  his  ear  familiar.  "  Old  Abe  "  has  become  celebrated  in  our  mili- 
tary annals;  and  his  history  is  inextricably  interwoven  with  that  of  the 
brave  and  gallant  regiment  who  bore  him  triumphantly  through  the  field  of 
strife. 

The  Ninth  Regiment  was  located  at  Little  Rock,  in  December,  1804.     A 


580 


niSTORY  OF  wiscosaiN. 


portion  of  tlio  ri',2;im('nt  liad  hoon  rausterod  out;  and  tho  roinaindor  wore 
consolidat(>d  as  an  indepeiulont  battalion,  iindor  tlio  command  of  Licut.-Col. 
Jacobi.  Tlioy  romaini'd  at  Littlo  Hock  nntil  tho  cIosl'  of  tlin  war;  tin;  only 
operation  boini,'  an  expedition  to  the  Saline  Uiver  in  January,  18(i5.  In 
June  the  command  proceeded  to  Camden,  one  Inmdred  miles  south  of  Little 
Uock,  where  they  remained  until  An','\i.st,  when  they  return(!d  overland, 
occiii)ying  their  old  ijuarters  at  Little  lloek.  Tho  Independent  liattalion 
remained  on  duty  until  February,  ly'i*!,  when  they  returned  to  WLsconnin, 
and  were  mustered  out.  Tho  Tenth  UeLfimcnt,  in  October,  180.J,  were  in 
]iart  transferred  to  the  Twenty-first  Ilegiment;  and  tho  remainder  retmiiod 
liome  to  Wisconsin,  and  were  mustered  out.  Tlioso  who  wore  taken  pris- 
oners at  Cliickamauga  remained  in  rebel  prisons  thirteen  months;  and  somo 
were  not  exchanged  till  March,  1805. 

Tho  Kleveutli  Ile<Timont,  in  January  and  February,  1805,  were  ennjaged 
in  building  fortifications  at  IJrashear  City,  one  hundred  men  being  detailed 
daily  for  that  piu'poso.  On  the  20th  of  February,  they  left  for  New  Orleans, 
were  assigned  to  the  thinl  brigade,  and  designed  to  ojierate  against  the  city 
of  Mobile.  On  the  9th  of  March  tho  Sixteenth  Corps  embarkeil  for  Mobile, 
and  reached  Dauphin's  Island  on  the  11th.  Proceeding  up  Fish  Uiv(tr,  and 
thence  to  Itlakely,  the  regiment  acted  as  guard  to  the,  train,  while  the  main 
column  of  the  .Sixteenth  .\rmy  Corps  joined  in  the  investment  of  .Spanish 
Fort.  On  the  ;!d  of  April  marched  to  the  support  of  Gen.  Steele  at  iJlake- 
ly,  and  took  position  in  the  investment  of  the  place.  In  the  battle  that 
took  place  at  Hlakely,  tho  Eleventh  took  an  active  part,  succeeded  in  break- 
ing tho  rebel  lines,  and  were  the  first  to  jilant  their  flag  upon  tho  works. 
In  this  engagement,  Lieut.  A.  II.  MoDiinald  was  highly  commended  for  his 
gallantry  in  a  hand-to-liand  fight  before  tho  enemy's  works.  He  h.ad  noth- 
ing but  his  sword,  and  succeeded  in  felling  several  of  his  foes,  when  he  was 
shot  in  the  thigh,  and  wounded  in  the  shoulder.  h\  this  engagement  tho 
regiment  lost  twenty-one  killed,  and  forty  wounded.  After  the  capture  o£ 
Blakely,  the  regiment  marched  to  Jlontgomery,  Ala.,  where  it  remained, 
doing  garrison-duty,  until  July  2:5,  when  it  returned  to  Jlobile,  and  was 
assigned  to  provost-guard-dnty,  till  mustered  out  on  the  5th  of  September, 
when  the  regiment  embarked  for  home,  reai'hing  Madison  on  the  18th  of  Sep- 
tember, were  welcomed  at  tho  dejxit  by  (Jlov.  Lewis,  but  declined  a  public 
reception  as  they  were  much  fatigued,  and  desired  to  reach  home. 

The  Twelfth  IlegimiMit  left  .Savannah,  Ga.,  on  the  4th  of  January,  1805, 
and  proceeded  witii  the  Seventeenth  Corps  to  Heaufort,  S.C,  on  the  i:!th. 
The  next  day  they  marched  six  or  seven  miles,  and  engiiged  the  enemy, 
driving  them  back  to  their  works.  On  the  20th,  the  regiment  moved  to 
Salkehatchic,  where  they  had  a  heavy  skirmish  with  the  enemy,  and  pro- 
ceeded on  till  tho  11th  of  February,  when  the  enemy  made  a  stand  at 
Orangeburg,  and  engaged  our  troops.  They  marched  in  line  of  battle,  and, 
charging  upon  the  rebels,  drove  them  out  of  the  town.  Procr  -ding  on  their 
way,  they  pas.sed  Cherawand  Fayetteville,  and  arrived  atGe'  '-oorongh  on  tho 
24th  of  Marcli.     They  remained  in  camp  till  the  10th  of  April,  when  they 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSrif. 


581 


joiiiod  in  the  advance  towards  Ualoigh  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Johnston's  army. 
It  is  not  noccssary  to  reiterate  tlio  particulars  of  tlio  surrcndor  of  tlio  rebel 
(jeneral,  or  the  subsequent  action  of  the  lioroes  of  tlie  "  ^rand  inarcli,"  fur- 
ther than  to  say,  that,  after  tlie  surrender,  tile  Seventeenth  Corps  proceeded 
to  Washiuston  by  way  of  Kichmond,  and  was  present  at  tho  grand  review 
at  the  national  capital,  soon  after  which  the  regiment  was  ordered,  with 
other  Westi.'rn  organizations,  to  Louisville,  where  it  was  mustered  out,  and 
came  homo  about  tho  20tli  of  July,  1805,  when  it  w.is  disbanded  and 
paid  off. 

Tlie  Thirteenth  Regiment,  on  tho  20th  of  March,  were  assigned  to  the 
second  brigade;  and  Col.  Lyon  resumed  the  command.  They  proceeded  by 
rail  to  Knoxville,  in  East  Teiniessee,  on  their  way  to  Virginia ;  thence 
they  marched,  by  way  of  Newmarket  and  IJull's  CJap,  to  Jonesborougli.  On 
the  20tli  of  April  they  received  news  of  Lee's  surrender,  and  President  Lin- 
coln's as.-iassination.  Tlio  corps  were  ordered  back  to  XashviUe;  and  on 
tho  20tli  the  regiment  left  Jonesborough,  and  proceeded  to  that  city  by  way 
of  Chattanooga,  arriving  on  the  22d. 

Hero  those  men  whoso  terms  expired  on  the  5th  of  October  were  dis- 
charged ;  and  a  part  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Wisconsin  was  assigned  to  the 
Tliirteenth,  to  complete  their  term  of  - -rvice.  On  the  ICth  of  June  the 
Thirteenth  proceeded,  by  way  of  the  Tennessee,  Ohio,  and  Mississippi  Uivers, 
to  New  Orleans  and  to  Chahnette.  In  July  the  regiment  embarked  for 
Texas,  and  arrived  at  Indianola  on  the  Itth,  from  which  place  they  went  to 
Green  Lake.  They  remained  in  this  camp  until  Sept.  11,  having  suffered 
much  from  sickness  produced  by  the  heat  of  the  climate  and  the  lack  of  a 
vegetable  diet.  Many  died  here  who  had  gone  through  the  wliole  war 
without  being  sick.  On  tho  11th  the  brigade  started  on  a  march  of  a 
hundred  and  forty-five  miles,  to  .San  Antonio,  arriving  on  tho  21tli  of  Septem- 
ber, and  went  into  camp,  wlK.'re  they  remained  until  orders  came,  in  Novem- 
ber, to  muster  out  the  regiment,  to  proceed  to  Madison  to  bo  discharged 
from  service.  Col.  Lyon's  term  of  service  having  expired,  ho  left  for 
Wisconsin  on  the  10th  of  September;  and  the  command  d(!volvcd  on  Major 
Noyes.  On  the  2"th  of  November  the  regiment  began  its  march  to  Indi- 
anola, a  hundred  and  sixty  miles,  and  from  there  embarked  for  New 
Orleans,  which  place  they  reached  on  the  1.3th  of  December,  steamed  up 
the  Mississippi,  reached  Madison  on  the  23d,  and  were  discharged  fro^"- 
service  on  tho  20th  of  December,  1805. 

Tho  Fourteenth  Regiment  left  Eastport,  Miss.,  on  the  3d  of  January, 
1805,  and  arrived  on  the  11th.  On  the  ISth  an  expedition  to  Corinth 
routed  out  the  rebel  Gen.  Ross's  brigade  from  that  place,  and  returned  to 
Eastjwrt  on  the  22d.  On  the  8th  of  February  the  division  left  that  place 
on  transports,  disembarked  at  Vicksburg,  and  proceeded  to  New  Orleans, 
where  they  arrived  on  the  22d  of  February.  Taking  part  in  the  operations 
against  Mobile,  they  left  New  Orleans  on  tho  12th  of  ilarch,  proceeded  to 
Dauphin  Island  in  Mol)ile  Bay,  debarked  eight  miles  up  Fish  River,  and, 
on  the  27th,  invested  Spanish  Fort.     From  this  time  the  Fourteenth  was 


582 


niHTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


constantly  rti.craged  ns  skirinishors  nnd  Hhiirp.shootors  until  tho  surrondor 
of  Spaiiisli  l''ort,  and  tlm  evacuation  of  Mobile,  sustaining  cunsidcrabln  loss. 
On  till'  Dili  oC  Ajuil  Hicy  marolicd  to  Itlakcly,  and  tlicncc  to  jrontironinry, 
Ala.,  wliero  tlioy  arrivod,  and  went  into  camp  on  tlic  2;til.  On  tlin 'J7th 
of  Au<,'iist  they  moved  to  Mobile;  and,  on  the  Otli  of  October,  tliey  wero 
mustered  out  by  reason  of  their  servic(^s  being  no  longer  required.  They 
returned  to  Wisconsin,  and  wore  disbanded. 

Tlic  Fifteenth  lleginient  was  mustered  out  by  companiea  in  1804  and  1805, 
the  last  company  on  the  l:ith  of  February,  18(J."). 

Tho  iSixteenth  Uej;iment  returned  home  on  the  expiration  of  their  term 
of  service,  on  tho  10th  of  August,  1805.  Tlioy  were  paid,  and  tho  regiment 
disbanded. 

Tiie  Seventeenth  Regiment  left  Savannah  in  .January,  1805,  and  -wero 
ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Sti!venson,  Ala.,  on  the  l.'ith.  Thence  they  moved 
to  Nashville;  and  the  various  commands  were  organized  in  three  l)rigades, 
all  of  wliich  embarked  on  steamers  en  rniitn  to  join  their  commands  in  .Sher- 
man's army  by  w,4y  of  the  Cumberland  and  Ohio  Rivers,  anil  proceeded,  by 
way  of  Pittslmrg  and  the  Pennsylvania  ('entral  Railroad,  to  Annapolis,  wliero 
they  took  steamers,  and  proceeded  to  lieaufort,  N.C.,  arriving  there  on  the 
8th  of  February,  1805,  whence  they  moved  by  rail  to  Newbern  on  the  12th. 

On  their  arrival,  (ien.  Meagher  assumed  command  of  the  provisional  divis- 
ion. He  was  relieved  from  duty  on  tin;  "Jd  of  March.  Reaching  Goldsljorough 
on  the  2l8t  of  March,  the  forces  of  (ien  Sherman  made  their  appearance, 
■when  tho  provisional  division  was  broken  up  by  that  general's  order,  and 
the  members  sent  to  their  respective  regiments.  In  this  provisional  division, 
about  a  thousand  AVisconsin  men  were  incorporated,  including  tlie  veterans 
of  the  Eighteenth  Regiment,  and  accompanied  it  on  tin;  march  to  Raleigh. 
After  the  surrender  of  Johnston,  they  proceeded  to  Richmond  and  Wash- 
ington, where  they  took  part  in  the  grand  review  of  the  troojis  of  (ien. 
Sherman  in  May,  and  thence  proceeded  to  Louisville  for  niuster-cut.  They 
loft  that  city  on  tho  11th  of  July,  and  reached  Madison  ,on  tho  17th,  rtliero 
they  were  publicly  received  and  paid  olT,  and  tho  regiment  disbanded.  The 
veterans  of  the  Eighteenth  Rogimi'nt  moved  from  Alihvaukee,  .and  reached 
Kashville  on  the  11th  of  January,  1805.  They  proce(Mled  to  Cincinnati,  and 
by  rail  to  I'ittsburg  and  Raltimore,  where  tliey  embarked  on  steamers  on 
the  2d  of  February,  and  arrived  at  Beaufort.  On  tho  8lh  they  took  cars  to 
Newbern,  wliero  they  encamped  till  tlio  last  of  March,  when  they  joined  tho 
forces  of  (ion.  Sherman  at  (ioldsl)orougli,  and  rejoined  their  comrade  ■  of  tho 
first  brigade  of  third  division.  Fifteenth  Army  Corps.  Tliey  accompanied 
the  subsequent  movements  of  Gen.  Sherman  to  Raleigh,  whence,  iiftor 
tho  surrender  of  Johnston,  they  moved  with  the  corps,  byway  of  Richmond, 
to  Washington,  taking  part  in  the  grand  review.  They  then  proceeded  to 
Louisville,  and  wi>rc  mustered  out  on  tho  18th  of  July,  and  reached  Madison 
on  the  2!Jlh,  where  they  were  publicly  received,  and  disliandod. 

The  Nineteenth  Regiment,  on  the  2d  of  April,  1805,  wero  engaged  in 
picket-duty  on  the  lines  iu  front  of  Richmond.     The  regiment  was  connected 


084 


HISTORY  OF   WISCOySIS. 


with  tlin  (hiril  division  of  tlin  Twoiity-fourth  Army  Crirps.  On  tlio  3il  of 
April  tli(!  tlivision  was  onliTPil  to  assiiult  tin'  crii'inyN  woiks  in  I'Miit  of 
Rii'linKiiul.  Tlio  ailviuicf  coniiniMiced  :it  d:iyli','iit,  tlio  Xim-toiMitli  lii'iiiir  the 
third  ri'ufiinciit  in  coliiniii,  and  entered  tli(!  city  about  eitjlit  o'eloek,  a.m. 
Lieut. -Col.  V.TMLflin  I'luMti'd  tlKM'olors  of  the  ri'iiini'Mt  u|ion  the  City  Ilnll, 
lieint;  the  first  retfiui'ntal  culors  raised  in  the  eity  liy  the  ciiiiiiu"riin;  forces 
of  the  Union.  The  r"L;ini  ^nt  was  place.!  on  [irovost-iluty  in  tiie  city,  and 
continued  until  the  28th  of  April,  when  it  moved  t;i  Frodericksbin;,',  Va., 
and  ordered  on  duty  until  the  2Uh  of  July,  when  it  procoedi'il  to  War- 
rputon,  and  cnifai^'d  In  provost-duty,  and  remained  until  the  1th  of  Ansjiist. 
The  rejfiin.'ut  \v;is  llien  sent  to  IJichiiioud,  where  it  was  inust"red  out  of 
service  on  the  ilth,  and  on  the  same  day  ordered  to  report  at  ^l  idisun,  \Vis. 
It  arrived  at  that  place  on  th((  l.'ith,  and  was  paid,  and  received  linal  dis- 
charge on  the  27th  of  August,  ISO.j. 

The  Twentieth  ll"i;im"nt  moved  from  their  camp  at  Xavy  Cove,  on 
Jlobilu  I'oint,  on  the  8Hi  of  March,  IHii-j,  and  took  part  in  the  movements 
of  (ien.  Canhy.  On  tiie  2<ith,  thi'y  marched  out  si.-:  miles,  ni^ar  the  .Spaidsh 
Fort,  and  in  a  skirinisii  had  seven  men  wounded.  They  remained  in  tho 
lines  before  this  place  until  April  !),  when,  tho  enemy  h.iving  abandoned 
the  fort,  tho  regiment  entered.  Here  they  were  stationed  tmtil  tho  21st 
of  April,  when  they  marched  to  IJIakely,  and,  moving  do\n  tho  rivor, 
camp'.'d  near  ^[obile.  Th.it  city  surrender' d  on  the  12th  of  April,  thus 
clositig  the  Rebellion  in  the  Valley  of  tho  Mississippi.  Tlie  regiment  re- 
mained U'ar  Mobile  until  tho  22d  of  June,  when  five  comjanies  embarked 
at  Mobil;.',  and  proceeded  to  G.dveston,  Tex.,  arriving  on  the  U.")th.  They 
were  joined  by  tho  other  wing  on  the  28th.  Here  they  were  employed  in 
g.'irrison  and  guard  duty  until  July  1 1,  when  they  were  mustered  out.  On 
tho  17tli  the  regiment  eml)arke<l  for  home.  Arrived  at  Madi,-;on  on  tho 
TOth  of  July,  and  were  paid  off  and  di.sbanded  on  tlio  !)th  of  August. 

The  Twenty-first  Uegiinent,  on  tho  lllh  of  March,  180.5,  encamped  at 
Fiiyetteville,  on  Capo  Fear  Uiver.  Leaving  that  place,  tliL'y  were  in  tho 
advance  brigade,  which  encountered  the  enemy  in  force  on  the  inth  of  March, 
near  Tieutonville.  In  this  sharp  engagement,  which  was  tlio  Last  of  Sher- 
man's battles,  tho  Twenty-first  took  an  active  part.  They  lost  five  killed, 
and  twenty-fivo  wounded.  The  enemy  having  retired,  tho  regiment  moved 
to  Goldsborough,  which  place  thcyent"red  on  tlie  23d  of  March,  thus  closing 
the  memorable  campaign  in  the  Caroliuas. 

On  tho  loth  of  April  the  regiment  joined  in  the  campaign  to  Raleigh, 
and  on  the  llJth  was  the  first  brigade  of  infantry  which  entered  the  city. 
Tho  flag  of  the  Tweutj'-first  was  placed  upon  the  Capitol,  where  it  floated 
until  the  first  brigade  left  tho  city.  During  tho  negotiations  between 
Sherman  and  Johnston,  tho  Twenty-first  formed  tho  extreme  left  of  Sher- 
man's army.  On  tho  28th  of  April,  tho  war  being  announceil  as  closed, 
the  Twenty-first,  with  its  corps,  commenced  its  march  home,  and  proceeded 
to  Richmond  and  Washington,  and  went  into  camp  on  the  Potomac.  In  tho 
grand  review  of  the  armies  at  Washington,  the  Twenty-first  participated  : 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


685 


no  roffimont  in  the  Fourtcoiith  Corps  commandod  morn  nttpntlon  for  lis 
wililicily  ln'iiriiii;  ami  fiiii'  iippciiriiiici'.  On  the  Idtli  oC  Aww  tlii'y  li'ft  for 
Mil\v:iiil>ct',  passiiijr  tlniiiitfli  rittslmrK,  Clcvi'liiiid,  iiml  (iniml  lliivcii.  On 
till'  ITtli  iif  .lunc,  at  .Milwiinkcc,  twi)  yi'ars,  iiiin'  imintlis,  luiil  twclvis  (liiys 
nftiT  licin;;  inusti'ri'il  into  tlio  McrviriMif  tlm  Cnilcil  StiitcH,  llw  oHictTS  iiiid 
men  WITH  li(>n(>riil>ly  ilisclmrfrod.  Of  iiino  huiulri'd  ami  sixty  men  who  left 
the  Stiiti"  ill  fhi'  ic^fiiiipiit,  (inly  two  hniuh-cii  ami  sixty  ri'turncd  witii  it. 

The  history  of  the  'I'wfiity-.sccoml  I!('j,'inii'nt  was  clnsid  up  in  acpount  of 
opcratidiis  of  IStll,  '\'\ii\  n'p;iniciit  was  mnstiTcd  out  in  .luuo,  18(15,  and, 
rcturnini;  to  Wisconsin,  was  ])aid  and  disbandt'd. 

Till!  Twenty-third  liefjinieMt  reiiiaiiwd  at  llideiia,  Ark.,  until  the  2.3d  of 
February,  ISI!."),  at  whicii  date  they  were  placed  on  traiis[iort.s,  and  proceeded 
south,  reaching  New  f)rlean.s  on  the  27th,  and  encani|)(Ml  at  Al.;;iers.  On 
the  1st  of  Mari'li  they  moved  to  Ilicl;ox's  Landin^j,  on  LaUe  I'outohartrain, 
to  unite  with  llie  forces  desisjiied  for  Ui<'  reduction  of  Moldle.  They  readied 
Spanish  Fort  on  the  27th  of  March,  and  took  posiliop  with  the  brigade, 
und  on  tlie  IJllth  were  ordered  on  an  expedition  toward  Ithikejy.  In  tiio 
final  assault,  they  acted  as  sui>port  to  the  attacking  colnnin.  After  the  cap- 
ture of  that  iilace,  they  crossed  the  bay,  and  encamped  five  miles  below 
Mobile.  On  the  Itli  of  July  the  Twenty-tliird  was  mustered  out  of  service, 
and  tlie  next  day  set  out  for  Wisconsin,  arrivinj;  at  Madison  on  the  10th. 
On  the  2Hh  they  were  paid,  and  formally  disbanded. 

The  Twenty-fourth  Kegimeiit  left  Ilnntsville,  Ala.,  on  the  28th  of  March, 
and  proceeded  to  Hull's  Gap,  Fast  Teiin.,  on  the  31st,  and  from  tiienco  to 
Blue  .Springs,  where  they  were  employed  in  repairing  the  railroad.  There 
the  news  of  Lee's  surrender  and  Lincoln's  assassination  was  received,  when 
orders  were  given  to  return.  On  the  liltli  of  April  they  returned  to  Hull's 
Gap,  and  from  thence  proceeded  to  Nashville,  and  went  into  camp  four 
miles  north  of  that  city,  where  they  remained  until  mustered  out  of  service, 
on  the  10th  of  iFuiie.  On  the  loth  they  reached  Milwaukee,  ^Vis.,  where 
they  were  shortly  afterwards  paid,  and  formally  discharged. 


CHAPTER  LV. 

Wisconsin's  war  eecord. 

Events  of  I860,  continued  —  Conclusion  o£  War  History  —  Hattle-Field  Echoes  — 
Wisconsin's  Name  and  Fauio. 


The  Twenty-fifth  Reffiment  moved  on  the  3d  of  January,  1805,  through 
Savannali,  and  embarked  for  Beaufort,  S.C.,  where  th^y  encamped.  On 
the  13th  commenced  the  march  tlirougli  the  Carolinas.  This  march  lias  been 
given  in  the  history  of  other  regiments;  and  the  experience  of  the  Twenty- 
fifth  differed  only  in  a  few  particulars  from  others.  On  the  23d  of  February, 
they  crossed  Neuse  River,  and  entered  (joldsbovough.  On  the  route  thfy  had 
a  number  of  skirmishes,  and  lost  a  few  men.  Ou  the  lOtii  of  April  tiiey 
joined  in  the  advance  of  the  army  towards  Raleigh,  where  they  arrived  on 
the  14th.  On  the  surrender  of  Johnston's  army,  joining  in  the  homeward 
march,  they  reached  Richmond  on  the  13th  of  May  :  continuing  their  march, 
they  crossed  the  I'otom.ic,  at  AVa.sliington,  on  the  'Jlth  of  May,  and  took  part 
in  the  grand  review  of  Sherman's  army;  after  which  they  encamped  at 
Crystal  Springs,  where  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service  in  the  7tli 
of  June,  and  set  out  for  liomc,  arriving  at  Madison  on  the  11th,  whore  tliey 
■were  shortly  afterwards  paid  off,  and  the  regiment  disbanded. 

The  Twenty-sixth  Regiment,  in  January,  18(i.j,  marched  witii  the  third 
division  to  the  assistance  of  Kilpatrick's  cavalry,  and  at  the  engagement  at, 
Avcrysborough,  ou  the  lOtliof  March,  lostoleven  killed,  and  twelve  wounded. 
With  the  rest  of  the  ami}',  the  regin\ent  reached  (toldsborougli  on  the  'Jlth, 
and  went  into  camp.  Taking  part  in  tiie  stibseipient  movements  of  Gen. 
Sherman,  they  proceeded  to  Raleigh,  and  on  tlie  surrender  of  Oen.  John- 
ston, with  the  Twentieth  Corps,  moved  to  Richmond,  tiicnce  to  Washington, 
where  they  took  part  in  the  grand  review,  in  May.  Leaving  Washington  ou 
the  13th  of  June,  tliey  .irrivcd  at  Milwaukee  on  the  17th,  and  W(>re  enthusi- 
astically received  liy  the  citizens  of  that  jilace.  After  passing  through  the 
principal  streets,  they  proceeded  to  Turners'  Hall,  where  n  splendid  bancpiet 
was  prepared  for  them  by  the  (;<'rman  citizens.  They  wore  welcomed  by 
Gov.  Salomon,  and.  after  inarching  to  Camp  Washburn,  were  paid  off,  and 
discharged  on  the  2!)th  of  Junj,  ISO.j. 

The  Twenty-seveutti  Uegimeut,  ou  the  7th  of  February,  1805,  left  Little 

fi86 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


587 


Bock,  Ark.,  on  transports,  and,  passing  down  the  Arkansas  and  Mississippi 
Rivers,  reached  Algiers,  opjiosite  New  Orleans,  en  the  12th,  from  wlience 
they  re-embarked  on  the  20th,  and  arrived  at  Navy  Cove,  on  Mobile  Bay. 
Accompanying  the  forces  of  CJimi.  Caul)y,  they  left  on  the  17th  of  March, 
and  on  the  27th  took  position  in  the  trenches  before  Spanish  Fort.  Here 
they  were  occupied  in  the  usual  duties  until  the  termination  of  the  siege. 
The  enemy  evacuated  the  Fort  on  the  night  of  the  8th  of  April ;  and  the 
next  morning  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Fort  Blakely,  before  which  they 
arrived  in  time  to  witness  its  capture  by  the  forces  under  Gen.  Steele. 
The  regiment  subsequently  moved  to  Whistler's  Station,  where  they  rejoined 
the  brigade,  and  encamped.  Remaining  till  the  10th,  they  marched  sixty 
miles  up  the  Tombigbee  River,  to  Mcintosh's  Bluff,  where  they  were  engaged 
in  building  fortifications.  The  surrender  of  Dick  Taylor's  army  rendered 
further  occupation  of  the  post  unnecessary;  and  the  regiment,  on  the  9th  of 
May,  proceeded  by  transports  to  Mobile,  at  which  place  they  remained  until 
the  Ist  of  June,  when  they  again  embarked,  and  proceeded  through  the 
Gulf  to  Brazos  Santiago,  Tex.,  where  they  arrived  on  the  Cth  of  June. 
They  marched  subsequently  to  Clarksville  and  to  Brownsville,  where  they 
•were  mustered  out  of  service,  and  set  out  on  their  return  homo  on  the  29th. 
Reaching  New  Orleans  on  the  5th  of  September,  and  ascending  to  Cairo, 
they  took  the  cars,  and  arrived  at  Madison  on  the  ]7th  of  September,  where 
the  regiment  were  shortly  after  paid  off  and  disbanded. 

The  Twenty-eighth  Regiment  left  Pine  Bluff  on  the  22d  of  .January,  1805, 
accompanied  Gen.  Carr  to  Mount  Elba,  on  the  Saline  River,  marching  seven- 
ty-five miles,  and  started  on  their  return  to  Little  Rock  on  the  30th, 
reaching  camp  on  the  4th  of  February.  On  the  11th  they  embarked  on 
transports,  reaching  Algiers  on  the  Hith,  and,  re-embarking,  landed  on 
Mobile  Point,  wliere  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  third  brigade, 
third  division.  Thirteenth  Army  Corps.  Taking  part  in  the  movement 
against  Mobile,  on  tlio  17th  of  March,  the  Twenty-eighth  marched  to  Fish 
River,  and  on  the  27th  took  position  before  Spanish  Fort,  where  tiiey  re- 
mained, engaged  in  siege  and  picket  duty,  until  the  evacuatinu  on  April  8, 
The  next  day  they  proceeded  to  Blakely,  reaching  there  too  late  to  take  a 
part  in  its  capture.  The  movements  of  the  regiment  after  the  capture  con- 
sisted in  the  occupation  of  Mcintosh's  Bluff.  They  left  on  the  0th  of  May, 
and  proceeded  to  Mobih-,  whi^re  they  embarked,  and  arrived  at  Brazos  San- 
tiago June  0.  On  the  10th,  they  marched  to  Clarksville,  and,  on  the  3d  of 
August,  to  Biownsville,  where  tliev  were  nuistered  out  of  service.  Kmbark- 
ing  on  transports  on  the  23d  of  August,  they  reached  Madison  on  the  loth 
of  September,  where,  on  the  23d,  they  were  paid  off,  and  disbanded. 

The  Twenty-ninth  Regiment  left  Port  Hudson  July  29,  1801,  and  moved 
on  transports  to  Morganziii.  On  the  3d  of  September  they  proceeded  to 
St.  Chillies,  whi>re  they  remained  until  Oct.  23.  From  this  time  till  Nov. 
12,  they  were  on  an  expedition  to  IJuvall's  lUuif;  returning  from  which, 
they  moved  to  AVliito  River  on  an  expi'dition  for  the  capture  of  nniles 
for  the  quartcrm.aster's  department,  and  they  were  engaged  in  sundry 


688 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


expeditions,  until  tlie  20th  of  December,  when  they  removed  to  Slemphi^. 
The  refjiniput  was  coiuipctfd  witli  Gen.  Canby's  forces,  mid,  with  tlio  force, 
proceeded  to  Daiipliin  Island,  near  Mobile,  whfre  they  piirticipatod  in  the 
general  movement,  and  advanced  to  Spanish  Fort,  l^re  they  remained 
imtil  April  ."5,  when  they  took  po.sition  with  the  forces  besieging  Ulakely. 
In  this  engagement  at  lilakely,  the  Twenty-ninth  did  not  participate,  as 
they  were  on  tlie  return  from  the  Spanish  Fort  at  the  time.  On  the  12tb 
of  April  the  regiment  was  the  second  to  enter  the  long-beleagured  city. 
Pursuant  to  orders,  tlio  Twentj'-nintli  embarked  at  Mobile,  and  arrived  at 
Kew  Orleans  on  the  00th,  and  thence  to  Shrcveport,  La.,  arriving  there 
June  8,  On  the  22d  they  were  mustered  out  of  service,  and  embarked 
on  transports,  liomeward  bound.  On  the  13th  of  July  tlicy  reached  Madi- 
son, where  the  regiment  was  paid  off,  and  formally  disbanded. 

The  Thirtieth  Regiment  were  at  Lo\iisville,  Ky.,  in  January,  1805,  and 
■were  engaged  in  detachments  during  the  summer,  doing  guard-duty  at  the 
military  prison,  and  other  work;  and  on  tiie  2l)th  of  September  were  mus- 
tered out,  and  started  homeward,  arriving  at  Madison  on  the  2j11i,  when 
they  were  disbanded. 

The  Thirty-first  Regiment,  on  the  ISth  of  January,  180,"),  crossi>d  the  Sa- 
vannah River,  and  rejoined  its  division  at  I'arisburg,  S.C,  twenty-five  miles 
distant  from  Savannah.  Owing  to  rains,  they  were  water-bound  until  the  28th. 
The  regiment  marched  with  the  army  through  South  Carolina,  doing  its 
share  in  burning  and  destoying,  tearing  up  railroads,  and  similar  duties,  to 
drive  back  the  enemy's  rear-guard.  On  tlie  10th  of  March  they  took  posi- 
tion in  the  front,  at  the  battle  of  Averysborough,  and  were  under  fire  until 
night.  They  lost  two  men  killed,  and  ten  woundi'd.  On  the  Iflth  the 
Thirty-first  was  at  the  battle  of  Bcntonville,  in  which  ten  were  killed,  and 
forty-two  wounded.  The  regiment  reached  Goldsborough  on  the  21th  of 
March,  having  been  on  the  tramp  sixty-five  days,  twenty-three  of  which  the 
rain  fell  without  cessation,  many  of  them  barefoot,  and  often  hungry  for 
twenty-four  hours.  On  the  10th  of  April  the  army  was  again  in  motion, 
in  the  direction  of  Raleigh,  when  they  heard  of  the  surrender  of  Johnston 
to  Gen.  Sherman.  The  regiment  went  into  camp  at  Raleigh.  On  the  IlOth 
of  April  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps  started  for  Washington,  passing 
through  Richmond,  Va.,  on  the  11th,  and  arrived  at  Alexandria  Jlay  20. 
'^)u  the  21th  the}'  took  part  in  the  grand  review  at  Washington.  On  the 
2d  of  June  they  were  onh-reJ  to  Louisville,  where  quarters  were  assigned 
to  them.  Six  companies  were  mustered  out,  to  date  from  ifunc  20,  and  left 
for  Madison  June  21,  They  were  paid  off,  and  went  to  their  homes  July  8, 
180.5.  The  remaining  com[ianies  remained  in  camp  until  .fuly  H,  and  were 
mustered  out,  reaching  Madison  on  tho  12th.  niid  were  paid  off  and  dis- 
charged July  20,  180.'). 

The  Thirty-second  Regiment  left  Pocotaligo,  S.C,  on  the  .30th  of  Janu- 
aiy,  180."),  on  which  day  the  "  grand  march"  through  the  Carolinas  was 
commenced.  On  the  1st  of  February,  the  regiment,  with  the  division,  took 
part  in  the  battle  at  Rivers  Bridge,  on  the  Salkahatchie,  in  which  the  regi- 


690 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


ment  had  eleven  killed,  and  thirty-eight  wounded.  They  also  took  part  in 
the  engagement  at  Binnakor's  Bridge,  losing  one  killed,  and  six  wounded. 
The  regiment  was  engaged  in  skirmishing,  and  had  engagements  near 
Cheraw  and  at  Fayotteville  with  small  losses.  They  also  took  part  in  the 
battle  at  Bentoiiville,  where  two  were  killed,  and  twenty-three  wounded; 
and  were  engaged,  also,  in  the  advance  from  Goldsborough  on  the  10th  of 
April, on  Raleigh,  from  which  place  they  marched  fifteen  miles  in  a  westerly 
direction,  returning  on  the  27th  of  April  to  Raleigh.  After  the  surrender 
of  Johnston's  army,  with  the  Seventeenth  Corps  they  marched  to  Richmond, 
on  their  way  homeward;  thenco  to  Alexandria,  where  they  camped  until 
the  23d  of  May,  when  they  moved  to  Washington,  and  took  part  in  the 
grand  review  of  Sherman's  army,  and  were  mustered  out  on  the  12th  of 
June.  The  same  day  they  commenced  the  journey  to  Wisconsin,  arriving 
at  Milwaukee  on  the  10th  of  June,  where  they  were  paid  and  disbanded. 

The  Thirty-third  Regiment,  with  the  forces  of  Gen.  Smith,  reached  Clif- 
ton, Tenn.,  on  the  2d  of  January,  1805.  From  this  point,  they  proceeded 
by  transports  to  Eastport,  Miss. ,  and  were  detailed  to  guard  the  transporta- 
tion train  to  Savannah,  Tenn.  The  roads  being  in  a  bad  condition,  they 
were  greatly  delayed  in  tiieir  progress.  AVith  six  companies,  Lieut.-Col. 
Lovell  succeeded  in  getting  a  portion  of  the  train  to  Savannali;  and  Major 
Virgin,  with  the  other  companies,  took  the  balance  of  the  train  to  Grand 
View.  At  the.se  places  they  found  transports,  and  reached  Eastport  on  the 
14th  of  January.  The  command  left  this  place  on  the  0th  of  February, 
and  proceeding  down  the  Tennessee,  Gliio,  and  Mississippi  Rivers, 
reached  Vicksburg,  where  they  went  into  camp.  They  re-embarked  on  the 
20th,  and  proceeded  to  New  Orleans,  thence  to  Dauphin  Island,  near  Mo- 
bile, thenco  to  Cedar  Point  and  Spanish  Fort,  where,  on  the  27lh,  they  drove 
the  enemy  into  his  intrenchments.  The  regiment  assisted  in  the  capture  of 
Spanish  Fort,  and  was  the  first  regiment  to  enter  the  main  fort,  where  it 
took  two  Napoleon  guns  and  a  number  of  prisoners.  In  the  operations  be- 
fore Mobile  they  had  nine  killed,  and  twenty-three  wounded.  On  the  9th, 
they  moved  to  Blakely,  and  were  held  in  reserve  during  tiie  assault.  After 
the  capture,  they  moved  to  Montgomery,  Ala.,  thence  to  Tuskegee,  where 
they  remained  till  the  19th  of  July,  wiien  they  returned  to  Montgomery. 
They  were  ordered  to  proceed  to  Vicksburg  for  muster  out,  where  they 
arrived  July  31.  Here  tliey  were  mustered  out  of  service  on  the  8lh  of 
July,  and,  embarking  for  home,  reached  Madison  Aug.  14,  where  they 
were  soon  after  paid  off,  and  formally  disbanded. 

The  Thirly-fourtli  Regiment  was  mustered  into  the  government  service 
for  nine  montlis.  The  mustering  was  completed  on  the  3Lst  of  December, 
1802;  and  the  regiment  left  tlie  State  Jan.  31,  1803.  After  spending  their 
time  in  garrison  and  fatigue  duty,  they  returned  to  Camp  Washburne,  and 
were  mustered  out  on  the  8th  of  September. 

Tlie  Thirty-fifth  Regiment  removed  from  Duvall's  Bluff,  Ark.,  on  the 
7th  of  February,  1805,  to  Algiers,  La. ,  and  encamped.  On  the  22d  of 
February  they  embarked,  with  Gen.  Cauby's  forces,  for  Mobile  Point,  and 


UrSTORT  OF  WrSCONSTlf. 


591 


on  the  17th  of  March  commenced  the  march  to  Spanish  Fort,  taking  posi- 
tion in  the  front  of  the  fort  on  the  2"th,  and  were  engaged  in  siege  and 
fatigue  duty  until  the  evacuation  on  tlie  8th  of  April.  The  next  day  they 
proceeded  to  Fort  IJlakely,  but  did  not  arrive  in  time  to  participate  in  the 
attack.  Crossing  Mobile  Bay,  they  moved  to  Whistler's  Station,  thence  to 
Mannahubba  Bluff,  and  on  the  2(lth  to  Mcintosh's  Bluff  on  the  Tombigbee 
River,  and  were  engaged  in  building  fortifications.  On  the  surrender  of 
Dick  Taylor's  forces,  tiioy  proceeded  to  Mobile,  arriving  June  1,  and  thence 
to  Brazos  Santiago  and  Brownsville,  opposite  JIatamoras,  where  they  re- 
mained till  about  March  1,  1800,  when  orders  were  received  for  muster  out 
of  service,  and  return  home. 

Tiio  Thirty-sixth  Regiment,  with  the  Second  Corps,  on  the  5th  of  Febru- 
ary, 1805,  moved  near  Hatcher's  Run,  and  met  the  enemy.  In  the  battle  at 
Dabney's  Mills,  they  were  exposed  to  a  heavy  artillery  fire,  in  which  they 
had  two  men  killed,  and  three  woimded.  Crossing  Hatcher's  Run,  the  corps 
formed  in  line  of  battle,  advanced,  and  occupied  the  enemy's  first  line  of 
works,  and  next  day  advanced  to  the  second  lino,  and  occupied  them.  Tho 
regiment  participated  in  the  movement  before  Petersburg,  and  tlie  surrender, 
with  the  Second  C'ori)S.  Tho  Thirty-sixth  joined  in  th(!  pursuit  of  Lee,  and 
on  the  0th  of  April  had  the  satisfaction  of  being  present  at  the  sarrondor 
of  the  entire  army  near  Appomattox  Court  House.  After  tho  surrender, 
tliey  returned  to  Burkesvillc,  where  most  of  the  captured  officers  returned 
to  the  regiment;  and  on  the  2d  of  ilay  tliey  started  for  Washington  by  the 
way  of  Richmond,  participating  in  tho  grand  review  of  the  Army  of  tho 
Potomac,  Juno  17.  Tliey  subsequently  left  for  Ix)uisvillo,  Ky.,  where  they 
arrived  on  the  21st,  and  went  into  camp  at  Jeffersonville.  The  regiment 
was  mustered  out  of  service  on  the  12th  of  July,  and  arrived  at  JIadison  on 
the  Mth,  where  tiicy  were  paid  and  finally  discharged. 

Tlie  Thirty-sovi'iitii  Uegimeiit,  with  the  first  brigade,  on  the  2d  of  April, 
1805,  raarciied  and  formed  in  front  of  Fort  Sedgwick,  from  wiiicli  place  they 
moved  for  Fort  Malione,  one  of  the  enemy's  strongest  positions,  and  drove 
the  enemy  out  on  the  other  side,  and  turned  tlie  guns  of  tlu;  fort  ujxjn  tiieir 
lato  proprietors.  Attempts  were  made  dining  the  day  by  the  ri.'bels  to  regain 
possession,  but  unsuccessful.  The  next  day  the  brigade  proceeded  toward 
Petersburg  and  Richmond,  and  learned  of  their  surrender.  In  tlie  assault  on 
Fort  Mahone,  tlie  regiment  lost  fifteen  killed,  and  fifteen  wounded.  Re- 
maining in  the  vicinity  of  Petersburg  until  the  2Utli  of  April,  tho  regiment 
broke  camp,  moved  to  City  Point,  and  took  transports  for  Washington,  ar- 
riving on  the  20th.  They  were  present  at  the  grand  reviews  on  the  23d  and 
2  tth  of  May,  and  on  tiie  20tli  were  mustered  out  of  the  United  States  ser- 
vice, and  enil)arked  on  tho  cars  for  Wisconsin,  reaching  Madison  on  the  .'list 
of  July,  where  they  were  publicly  received  by  the  State  authorities,  and 
furloughed  fifteen  days,  till  their  pay-rolls  could  be  prepared,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  they  were  paid  off,  and  the  regiment  formally  disbanded. 

The  Thirty-eighth  Regiment  were  in  the  rifle-pits  before  Richmond  in 
the  month  of  January,  1805.    lu  the  assault  on  Fort  Mohone,  or  "  Fort 


592 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


l)ainii;ition  "as  it  was  iiicliiiaiuod,  the  Tliirty-oiglith  liad  cii^lit  coinpanios 
enguifi'd  willi  otluT  n';;iinc'iits.  Tlie  fort  was  tak"ii,  as  r;'l'i'rri'd  to  in  the 
account  of  tlic  'I'liirty-st'vciitii  Up;;iiiu'nt.  Tho  Tiiirty-ciLjhtli  suHi'i-cd  su- 
veruly,  iiaving  si'VcntfL'n  killi'd,  and  I'orty-scvi'n  wonndi'd.  TIr'  records  of 
tliu  adjiitaut-y;cncral  show  that  fourtci'n  were  killiMl,  or  died  of  wounds  in 
the  trenchos,  and  thiilccn  wounded.  On  the  kii  tlio  Tliirty-oiglilli  moved 
out  on  the  Southsido  Uaih'oad,  in  pursuit  of  the  rebel  army,  capluriug  many 
prisoners.  On  the  titli  of  ,]\\w,  a  part  of  tlie  regiment  (one  year".s  men) 
were  mustered  out,  and  retnnu'd  to  Wisconsin.  Tlie  renuiiniler  of  tlio 
regiment  was  on  (hity  at  tiie  arsenal  during  the  trial  and  execution  of  tlio 
iissassinatioii  conspirators,  and  on  the  ^Otii  of  July  were  mustered  out  of 
service,  and  started  for  Madison,  where  they  were  paid  oil'  and  discharged 
on  the  11th  of  August,  1805. 

The  Thiity-niiith,  Fortii'th,  and  Forty-first  llegimonts  were  known  as  tlio 
one-lumdred-day  regiments.  Their  services  have  been  referred  to.  They 
returned  home  in  the  fall  of  18(J1. 

The  Forty-second  Uegiment  were  engaged  in  Southern  Illinois;  and  a  por- 
tion of  them  were;  employed  at  S[iringtield  in  provost-duty ;  and  the  re- 
mainder were  detached  to  points  in  tiiat  jiart  of  the  Stat(!  wlii're  military 
snrveiUaneo  was  necessary.  The  regiment  returned,  on  tli(!  expiration  of 
their  term  of  service,  to  Madison,  on  the  iiOth  of  June,  ISIJo,  and  were  soon 
after  mnsti'red  out  and  disljanded. 

The  Forty-third  Regiment  left  Nashvilli'  on  the  1st  of  J.inuary,  ]S(j.j,  and 
moved  to  Ueekerd,  T'enn.,  by  rail,  where  six  companies  went  into  camp,  and 
four  companies  were  detached  to  guard  Elk-river  Bridge.  In  the  beginning 
of  June  they  returneil  to  Nashville,  and  wi-re  mustered  out  of  service  on  the 
24tli  of  June.     They  soon  after  returned  to  Milwaukee,  and  were  4lisl)anded. 

The  Forty-fourth  Regiment  arrived  at  Nashville  February,  180.5,  and  were 
employed  in  post  and  guard  duty.  In  March  they  procoedi.'d  to  Eastport, 
Miss.,  from  which  place  they  returned  to  Nashville.  ];mi)arking  on  tlio 
Od  of  A]iril,  they  proceeded  to  Faducah,  Ky.,  and  were  employed  in  [ucket- 
duly  until  Aug.  L'8,  v.lien  the  regiment  were  mustered  out  of  service,  and 
left  on  the  3Uth.  They  arrived  at  INladison  on  the  2d  of  September,  where 
they  were  paid  and  disl>andod. 

The  Forty-fifth  Regiment,  after  leaving  tho  State,  proceeded  to  Nash- 
ville, Teiin.,  and  were  stationed  there  until  the  l"th  of  July,  1805,  when 
they  weri;  mustered  out  of  service,  and  embarked  for  ^Vi.seonsin,  where  they 
arrived  on  the  2:id,  and  were  shortly  after  paid  olf  ami  disbanded. 

The  Forty-sixth  Regiment  left  tho  State  on  the  Olli  of  JIarch,  1SU5,  and 
proceeded  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  arriving  there  on  the  lUth  of  !Murcli.  From 
thence  they  )iroceeded  to  Athens,  Ala.,  arriving  on  the  21th.  TIk!  regi- 
ment I'ligageil  hi  railroad  guard-duty  ou  the  Nasliville  and  Decatur  Railroad 
until  the  latter  part  of  .^epti'inber,  when  they  moved  to  Nashville,  and  wero 
mustered  out  on  the  27th,  and  set  out  for  home,  arriving  at  Jladison  on  tho 
2d  of  October,  w  here  they  wero  shortly  afterwards  ]iaid  and  disbanded. 

Tho  Forty-seventh  Regiment  was  organized,  and  left  the  State  ou  the 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


698 


27th  of  February,  1805.  They  arrived  at  Louisville  on  the  28th,  whence 
thoy  procpeded  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  thenco  to  Tulhilioaia.  Here  they 
were  employed  in  guard-duty  until  the  latter  part  of  August,  wlien  they 
moved  to  Naahville,  were  mustered  out,  and  returned  to  Wisconsin,  arriving 
at  Madison  Sept.  8,  1805,  where  tliey  were  paid  and  disbanded. 

Tlie  Forty-eigiith  Ilegiment  was  organized  in  February  and  March,  1805. 
Eiglit  companies  were  mustered  in,  and  left  Milwaukee,  March  22,  to  rejiort 
at  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  whence  they  proceeded  to  Paoli,  Kan., 
which  place  they  reached  on  the  13th.  Hero  the  regiment  was  broken  up 
in  detachments;  one  company  going  to  Lawrence,  one  to  Olathe,  two  re- 
mained at  Paoli,  and  four  were  ordered  to  Fort  Scott.  Tlie  other  com- 
panies left  Milwaukee  March  8,  and  marched  to  and  reached  Fort  Scott 
April  28.  After  the  performance  of  the  ordinary  duties,  the  regiment  pro- 
ceeded to  Lawrence,  Kan.,  where  tliey  arrived  on  the  25th.  Here  they  were 
paid,  and  the  men  expected  to  be  mustered  out;  but  the  exigencies  of  the 
service  demanded  a  force  to  escort  the  trains  and  mail  through  hostile  Indian 
country,  and  tlie  regiment  was  ordered  on  that  duty.  The  regiment,  on 
the  0th  of  September,  commenced  the  march  to  Fort  Zarah,  two  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  west  of  Lawrence.  Two  companies  were  left  at  that  place; 
and  the  other  eight  proceeded  to  Fort  Lamed,  twenty-eight  miles  farther 
west,  where  headquarters  were  established,  and  two  companies  were  sta- 
tioned. Two  companies  were  sent  to  Fort  Dodge,  sixty  miles  from  Fort 
Lamed;  two  companies  to  Fort  Aubrey,  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles  from 
Fort  Lamed;  and  two  companies  to  Fort  Lyon,  Col.,  two  hundred  and  tea 
miles  from  Fort  Larned. 

Four  companies  returned  to  Leavenworth  in  December,  were  mustered  out 
of  service,  and  returned  to  Madison,  Wis.,  on  the  3d  of  January,  1800, 
where  they  were  paid  and  disbanded.  The  remaining  companies  were  sub- 
sequently mustered  out  at  Leavenworth,  the  last  of  them  arriving  the  latter 
part  of  Jlarch,  and  were  disbanded. 

The  Forty-ninth  Regiment  left  the  State  on  the  8th  of  March,  1805,  pro- 
ceeded to  St.  Louis,  were  sent  to  IloUa  on  the  13th,  and  were  engaged  in  guard- 
duty  and  as  escort  to  trains.  Here  they  remained  until  Aug.  1",  1805,  when 
they  returned  to  St.  Louis.  Three  companies  were  mustered  out  Nov.  1, 
and  the  balance  of  the  regiment  on  the  8th,  when  they  returned  to  Madison, 
where  they  were  paid  and  disbanded. 

The  Fiftieth  Ilegiment  left  Madison  by  companies  in  the  latter  part  of 
March,  for  St.  Louis.  From  St.  Louis  they  proceeded  to  Fort  Leavenworth, 
and  were  ordered  to  Fort  Rice,  in  Dakota  Territory,  arriving  Oct.  10,  where 
they  were  stationed  up  to  Feb.  15,  1800.  They  shortly  afterwards  were 
mustered  out,  and  returned  to  AVisconsin. 

The  Fifty-flrst  Regiment  was  organized  at  Milwaukee  in  the  early  part  of 
1805.  It  proceeded  to  Warrensburg,  Mo.,  and  was  employed  in  guard- 
ing the  construction  of  a  part  of  the  Pacific  Railroad.  On  the  Uth  of  June 
the  Fifty-third  Regiment  (four  companies)  was  consolidated  with  the  Fifty- 
first.    The  regiment  returned  to  Madison  on  the  6th  of  August,  18G5, 


594 


n/STORY  OF  wiscoys/N. 


whi'ro  tlipy  wore  mustcn-cd  out  by  companies,  completing  tlio  samo  on  tho 
30tli. 

Tlie  I'ilty-second  Uocjimniit  nnvcr  was  fully  rocruitoJ.  Five  companies 
were  musti'red  into  service,  and  were  sent  forward  by  comiianies  to  St. 
Louis,  in  April,  1805.  Tlie  battalion  was  sent  to  Ilolden,  on  the  Pauitiu 
Railroad,  and  was  employed  in  suardinff  workmen  on  the  railroad.  It 
moved  to  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  in  .Jinie,  where  it  was  assijjned  to  duty.  Tho 
battalion  was  nuistered  out  of  service  on  the  iSth  of  July,  arrived  at  Madi- 
son on  the  "Jcl  of  .Vu'^ust,  and  was  ])aid  and  disbandi'd. 

The  Fifty-third  Uesinient  (four  companies  of  wliicli  were  orsanized  beforo 
the  order  camo  to  discharge  all  unmustered  recruits)  were  sent  to  St.  Louis, 
and  tlienee  to  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  where  they  were  transferred  to  the  Fifty- 
first  U"i;inient,  by  order  of  the  war  departnu  lit,  on  the  loth  of  June,  1805. 
Tiiesi'  eoMipanii'S  were  nuistered  out  with  the  Fifty-first  Ilegiinent. 

Tho  First  t'avahy  spent  the  winter  at  Waterloo,  Ala.,  where  they  re- 
mained until  JIarch  10,  when  they  moved  to  Chickasaw,  and  took  up  their 
line  of  march  for  the  interior  of  Alabama.  One  battalion  moved  forward  to 
Centreville,  where  they  capiurcl  lifteen  prisoners.  On  the  2d  of  April  they 
encounti'red  .Tai-kson's  division  of  ri'bel  cavalry,  and  had  a  severe  engage- 
ment. After  inarching  some  two  miles,  they  arrived  at  .Selnia  on  lhi>  0th, 
where  they  rejoined  the  main  colunni.  On  the  evening  of  the  r.'th,  they 
occupied  Montgoinerv,  which  was  surrendered  to  the  brigade.  Passing 
through  Tuskegeo  and  Auburn,  they  reached  Wi!St  I'oint,  Ga.,  on  the  10th 
of  April.  The  Ijrigado  assaulted  and  captured  Foit  'J'yler,  with  its  garrison 
of  two  hinidi'cd  men.  The  casualties  at  U'est  I'oint  were  six  killed,  and 
fifteen  wounded.  The  last  active!  duty  which  the  regiment  was  called  uimn 
to  perform  in  the  closing  sceni's  of  the  llebellion  lias  already  become  his- 
toric, by  its  association  with  the  capture  of  Jell'erson  Davis,  president  of  the 
so-called  .Southern  Confederacy.  It  is  not  necessary  to  give  a  full  account 
of  this  atfair,  more  than  to  say  that  Lieut. -Col.  ilarndcn  went  to  meet  Col. 
Prilehaid  of  the  Fourth  .Michigan  Cavalry,  to  inform  him  of  the  proximity 
of  the  train  of  Davis,  which  he  had  pursued  for  a  long  distanci',  and  that 
Ills  command  had  gone  forward  in  pursuit.  Col.  Ilarndi'u  and  his  force  con- 
thiued  the  pursuit  until  nin(!  o'clock,  r..M.,  when  ho  halted,  with  orders  for 
an  early  start.  At  threu  o'clock  in  tho  morning.  May  10,  he  proceeded 
about  a  mile,  when  the  advance  guard  was  ordin-ed  to  halt  by  a  I>arty  of 
men  coneee.led  behind  trees.  Supjiosing  he  had  run  upon  rebel  jiickets,  they 
attenipti'd  to  retreat,  when  a  heavy  volley  was  fired  u[)on  the  party,  wound- 
ing three  out  of  his  seven  men.  It  was  soon  found  that  tho  opposing  forco 
was  Col.  Pritchard;  and  also  that  the  latter,  after  his  interview  with  Col. 
Ilarnden,  had  selected  a  number  of  his  best  mounted  men,  pushed  rapidly 
forward  on  the  run  to  Irwinville,  which  jilaco  he  reached  before  the  arrival 
of  Davis  and  his  train.  He  had  then  sent  a  small  force,  dismounted,  around 
to  tho  rear  of  the  train;  and,  as  he  movc'd  upon  it  with  his  principal  forco 
from  the  Irwinville  side.  Col.  Ilarnden  encountered  his  dismounted  men,  as 
before  related.  While  this  unfortunate  collision  was  in  progress,  a  portion 
of  Col.  IVitchard's  force  captured  tho  train. 


fi96 


BISTOBT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


[1 1''^ 

ilH 


Tlie  reward  offered  for  the  capture  of  Jeff.  Davis  waa  subsequently  divided 
between  the  officers  alluded  to,  and  others  of  the  party.  Col.  Ilamden  re- 
turned to  Macon,  and  re-entered  camp  on  the  13th  of  May.  From  Macon, 
the  regiment  marched  northward,  and,  on  tlie  2d  of  June,  arrived  at  Chat- 
tanooga, and  encamped  on  the  15th  at  Edgefield,  Tenn.,  opposite  Nashville, 
Here  the  First  Cavalry  were  mustered  out  of  service  on  the  10th  of  July, 
and  shortly  aft<irwards  paid  and  disbanded. 

The  Second  Cavalry  were  at  Memphis  the  latter  part  of  May,  1803,  scout- 
ing, when  they  were  put  upon  the  duty  of  guarding  citizens  from  depreda- 
tions of  rebel  soldiers  and  bushwhackers. 

They  were  engaged  in  this  duty  until  in  June,  when  they  were  ordered 
to  report  to  Gen.  Sheridan  at  Alexandria,  La.  On  the  3d  of  July  Col. 
Stephens  and  the  men  whose  terra  expired  Oct.  1,  1865,  were  mustered 
out,  embracing  about  two  hundred  men.  The  remainder  of  the  regiment 
moved  from  Memphis  to  Alexandria,  thence  by  way  of  Jasper,  Livingston, 
and  Swartwout,  to  Trinity  River,  thence  to  Danville,  Montgomery,  and 
Hempstead,  Tex.,  where  they  arrived  on  the  20th  of  July,  after  a  march  of 
three  hundred  and  ten  miles  in  nineteen  days.  Here  they  were  employed 
in  drilling  and  camp-duty  until  the  30th  of  October,  when  they  commenced 
their  march  to  Austin,  where  they  arrived  on  the  4th  of  November.  They 
were  mustered  out  on  the  15th,  and  on  the  17th  set  out  for  home,  arriving 
at  Aladison  Dec.  11,  1805,  and  were  paid  off  and  disbanded. 

The  Third  Cavalry  were  encamped  at  Little  Rock  in  March,  1863.  A 
small  detachment  was  sent  to  Clear  Lake  to  capture  a  band  of  guerillas. 
As  they  approached  the  canobrake,  the  guide  treacherously  gave  a  signal, 
and  disappeared.  A  volley  of  musketry  assailed  the  head  of  the  column. 
Capt.  Geisler  fell,  mortally  wounded,  with  five  gunshot  wounds  in  his  body, 
and  died  the  next  day.  The  force  of  Capt.  Geisler  numbered  about  forty  : 
the  force  of  the  enemy  in  ambush  was  estimated  at  two  hundred.  The 
detachment  returned  to  Little  Rock  |  and  a  larger  force  of  cavalry  was  sent 
out  to  secure  the  hoAy  of  Capt.  Geisler,  and  capture  the  guerilla  by  whose 
hand  he  was  betrayed  to  his  death.  On  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  ser- 
vice of  the  original  organization,  the  regiment,  on  the  10th  of  April,  1803, 
was  re-organized  by  order  of  the  general  commanding  the  department.  One 
battalion  left  Little  Rock  April  21,  and  proceeded  to  Duvall's  Bluff,  where 
they  remained  until  the  3d  of  June,  when  they  proceeded  down  White 
River,  ana  up  the  Mississippi  to  St.  liOuis,  thence  to  Rolla  by  rail,  and 
marched  to  Springfield.  Here  they  remained  until  the  18th  of  July,  when 
they  took  their  line  of  march  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  reaching  there  Aug.  2. 
Here  the  battalion  was  mustered  out  on  the  8th  of  September,  and  returned 
home,  arriving  at  Madison  on  the  14th,  where  they  were  paid  and  dis- 
charged. Four  companies  were  mustered  out  the  20th  of  September,  at 
Fort  Leavenworth,  and 'arrived  at  Madison  Oct.  2.  The  varied  character  of 
the  services  in  which  most  of  the  companies  of  the  Third  Cavalry  were  en- 
gaged, being  stationed  at  various  points  in  Missouri  and  Kansas,  makes  it 
difficult  to  give  much  of  their  history. 


JIISTOItT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


097 


Thp  Fourth  Cavalry,  while  on  a  foraging  expedition  in  the  early  part  of 
March,  liad  two  killed,  and  four  wounded.  With  otlier  cavalry  forces,  the 
regiment  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Mobile  when  that  city  capitulated;  after 
which  an  expedition  (including  the  Fourth  Cavalry)  proceeded  through 
Alabama  into  Georgia,  and  returned  l)y  the  way  of  Montgomery,  Ala.,  to 
Columbus,  Miss.,  whence  they  marclied  across  the  State  of  Missi.s.sippi  to 
Vicksburg,  where  they  arrive!  on  the  1st  of  June,  having  l)een  seventy  days 
in  the  s.addle  and  on  the  march.  On  the  SCitli  of  June,  the  regiment  left 
Vicksburg,  and  proceeded  to  Shreveport,  on  the  Red  Uiver,  and  on  the  Otli 
of  July  look  uj)  their  lino  of  march  to  Texas,  and  encamped  at  San  An- 
tonio. The  regiment  was  in  service  on  the  20th  of  March,  1800,  with  head- 
quarters ut  Ringgold  Barracks,  Texas,  and  not  long  after  was  mustered 
out,  anil  returned  home. 

It  has  been  tlie  intention  to  give  a  brief  account  of  the  operations  of  the 
AVisconsin  regiments  from  their  first  musterlng-in  to  their  final  mustering- 
out  of  the  service;  and,  in  doing  so,  abstracts  have  been  taken  from  the 
rejxirts  of  the  adjutant-generals  of  the  State,  and  the  military  hi.stories  of 
E.  IJ.  Quiner,  Ksq.,  and  Rev.  W.  I)e  Loss  Love.  The  history  of  the  part 
taken  by  Wisconsin  in  the  war  has  found  able  writers  in  the  gentlemen 
referred  to;  and  those  desiring  further  and  more  particular  informatioa 
on  this  subject  are  referred  to  their  valuable  Histories. 

Mr.  Quiner,  in  the  introduction  to  his  work,  justly  says, — 

"  Wi-iconsiu  may  well  feel  proud  of  lior  record  made  In  tlio  defence  of  the  na- 
tional CNi-iteucc.  Shoulder  to  shoulder  with  the  other  loyal  State^  of  the  Union, 
B^ie  Ims  .sliiiiil  ill  the  front  ranks.  From  her  worksliops,  her  farm'*,  and  lier  vast 
prairle-t,  have  poured  torlli  the  stalwart  men  who  have  lilled  tip  the  organizations 
wiiii'h  she  hat  sent  to  the  Hold.  The  liliiod  o(  those  luave  men  ha*  (benched 
almost  every  hatlle-lield  of  the  Ilclielliui,  from  Gettyshurg  to  the  valley  of  the  Ilio 
Grande.  K<tahli<hing  at  an  early  il.ay  a  reputation  for  gallantry  and  endnrauco, 
■Wiscousiu  regiments  alw.ays  occupied  positions  where  hard  fighting  was  to  bo 
done;  anil  those  who  placed  thoin  there  never  were  disappointed  in  their  not  per- 
forming their  whole  duty." 


CHAPTER  LVI. 

ADMINISTRATION   OF  GOV.   FAIUCHILD. 

Event*oflfWV5  —  f/>ixl-<lntion  — Full  Reports  from  tlio  Slat«  Imtitiiliims— Stativ 
tiira  —  Tlio  Soldiers'  OrpliuiH'  Home  —  I'uMio  S'jrvices  of  Mrs.  Hiirvcy. 


On  Monday,  Jftii.  1,  1800,  the  newly-olcctod  Stato  officers  woro  inaugu- 
rated, and  entered  upon  their  official  duties.  Gov.  James  T.  Lewis  retired, 
and  was  succeed. d  by  Gen.  Lucius  Fairciiild,  lato  secretary  of  .state,  who 
was  succeeded  as  secretary  by  Gen.  Tiiomas  .S.  Allen.  Hoth  of  tlieso  gen- 
tlemen fought  nobly  in  the  army  duriiit;  tiie  Rebellion,  the  former  losing  an 
arm  at  (iettysburg.  Lieut.-(iov.  Wynian  Sjiooner  was  continued  for 
another  term  in  the  position  which  he  had  filled  with  so  much  dignity  and 
propriety.  lion.  S.  D.  Hastings  retired  from  the  office  of  state  treasurer, 
wliich  he  had  held  contimiously  for  eight  years  past,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Hon.  W.  E.  Smith,  a  gentleman  who  had  iiad  mucli  legislative  experience, 
and  was  eminently  qualified  to  transact  the  duties  of  liis  office.  Attorney- 
Gen.  Winfield  Smith  gave  place  to  Col.  Charles  R.  Gill ;  and  William  U. 
Ramsey,  bank  comptroller  for  four  years  past,  was  succeeded  by  Col.  Jere- 
miah M.  Rusk.  Col.  J.  G.  McMynn  was  continued  as  superintendent  of  public 
instruction.  Cols.  Gill,  Rusk,  and  McMynn  were  officers  in  the  recent  war. 
Mr.  Henry  Cordier  was  continued  another  term  for  state-prison  commissioner. 

The  inauguration  ceremonies  took  place  on  the  evening  of  the  1st  of  Jan- 
uary. The  main  floor  and  galleries  of  the  as.sembly,  where  the  ceremonies 
were  held,  were  densely  packed  at  an  early  hour,  with  a  very  general  repre- 
sentation of  public  men  from  all  parts  of  the  State,  and  of  the  citizens  of 
Madison.  At  eight  o'clock  the  outgoing  and  incoming  officers  entered  the 
hall  in  a  body,  when  Gov.  Lewis  read  a  valedictory  address.  At  its  conclu- 
sion Gov.  Fairchild  appeared,  and  took  the  oath  of  office,  whicli  was  admin- 
istered by  Chief  Justice  Dixon  of  the  Suiireine  Court,  after  which  the  gov- 
ernor delivered  his  inaugural  address.  Subsequently,  the  several  State 
officers  elect  came  forward  separately,  and  took  the  oath  of  office,  which  was 
administered  to  each  separately  by  Chief  Justice  Dixon.  "  The  State  Jour- 
nal," referring  to  the  administration  of  Gov.  Lewis,  says, — 

"The  a<luiiDistratlon  which  lias  just  expired  has  had  the  direction  of  the  affairs 
of  Stale  durhig  a  period  of  the  greatest  dilliculty  and  trial.     It  lias  been  coni- 
6»8 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


509 


polled  to  MMtme  grent  re^pnnslhlllliei,  nml  to  mnfront  many  pertilexlii);  niid  «m- 
l)arrn'<«iiiiK  protilfins.  Tlio  ImnU'iH  Piitallccl  liy  ilio  war  liavo  ciiiiniiiiiiHly  In- 
(ireftscil  till!  oxpi'iiiliMio'H  of  tim  Slnto,  niiil  rnmloieil  neee.HHury  a  r((ii()'<p(iiiillng 
liK  ri'iiso  of  tn\j>liiiii.  Tlio  iTudlt,  of  ilio  Statu,  niid  llio  Noiiiidiin^H  of  In  I'lirri'iicy, 
liavo  lii'nii  nt  tiiiiiM  ill  t^i'ciit  peril.  At  oii(>  liinp  a  wiiln  niiil  cnlainiloii'i  lliiiuii'inl 
reviiNioii  HwMiu'cl  incvltaldn.  Diirliif;  tliu  hossIoii  of  lH(l,'i,  protialily  a  majority  of 
tlio  liiisineis-iiieii  of  tlio  Stalo  rt';'arded  n  panic  a<  ilimvoidalilo,  Kruwiii;?  nut  of 
llie  i'luiiiK<)  from  Stall)  to  National  iiirrom  y,  wliidi  would  scrlomly  ili-itiMl)  tlie 
ciirreiitM  of  trade,  wliicli  would  iioi'iMsaiily  liivolvn  the  peoplu  111  tlin  lo>n  of  liun- 
dredHiif  tlnnHniids  of  dollars,  wlilrli  woiiM  lai'Kul.v  dnprorlatu  tli«  value  of  the 
State  lionds,  anil  liriii;{liaiikrupt('y  and  ruin  upon  many  rill/.ens.  Tliu-io  lalami- 
ties  were  ovcrti'il  Ity  the  pnuiipt,  llriii,  and  wise  ni'tlon  of  tlio  admliiiuration, 
aided  liy  tlio  Ii-Hi^laturo.  fiiiv.  lycwis,  It  is  lielioved,  retiron  from  tliii  oxortitive 
olllro  with  the  res|H)rt  and  roiilldmiro  of  tliu  whole  pcii|do;  and,  in  liii  voluntary 
retirement  from  piililii:  life,  ho  will  bo  followed  liy  the  esteem  and  Koud  wUlies  of 
the  people." 

The  nineteenth  seHsion  of  tlie  State  lepfislature  convened  on  the  tenth  day 
of  .Iiinuaiy,  180U,  and  adjourned  on  tlio  iJth  of  April,  holdiii;.j  a  .spssion  of 
nini'ty-three  day.s.  Tlio  senatn  was  called  to  order  by  Lieut. -(lov.  Spootu'r. 
Frank  M.  Stewart  wa.s  clt'ctoil  chief  clerk,  this  heins;  the  fourth  time  he  had 
been  chosen;  and  Nelson  WiUiam.s  was  ro-electcd  sergeant-at-anns.  In  the 
assembly,  Hon.  II.  I).  IJarroii  was  elected  speaker,  E.  W.  Young  chief  clerk, 
and  M.  L.  Hammond  sergeaut-at-arms.  Gov.  Fairchild,  in  his  message,  be- 
gins by  saying,  — 

"Our  first  duty  Is  to  give  thanks  to  Alinlghty  Goil  for  nil  Ills  mercies  during 
the  year  that  !•<  pa-it.  The  jieople  of  no  nation  on  earth  have  greater  cause  to  be 
tlmnUful  than  have  our  people.  The  oiioniios  of  the  country  have  been  over- 
thrown In  battle.  The  war  has  settled  liiially  preat  questions  at  issue  between 
ourselves;  and  there  seems  to  be  an  abundant  reason  to  hope  that  a  peaie  which 
shall  never  more  be  broken  by  internal  strife  is  at  Jcngth  vouchsafed  to  us. 

"The  tinance«  of  our  State,"  he  remarked,  "arc  in  a  good  condition.  By  the 
timely  and  wise  IcKislaiion  of  your  predecessors,  the  llnancial  panic  which  threat- 
ened us  the  early  part  of  last  year  was  successfully  avoided,  our  jieople  were 
saved  from  lo.is,  and  the  State  was  enabled  to  pay  promptly  all  demands  against 
It.  Our  credit  is  good,  and  our  State  debt  so  small,  that  it  can  ho  easily  paid 
wlienover  it  is  necessary." 

The  governor's  message  contained  a  tmmber  of  important  recommenda- 
tions. Among  these  may  be  classed  the  proposition  to  cancel  the  State 
bonds  now  invested  in  the  trust-funds,  substituting  unnegotiable  certificates 
of  indebtedness  in  their  place,  and  so  to  amend  the  constitution  as  to  enable 
the  State  to  create  a  permanent  debt  to  the  trust-funds.  The  exigency 
having  passed  which  required  the  calling-in  of  dues  to  the  school  and 
university  funds,  the  governor  recommends  repealing  the  act  of  last  year, 
requiring  their  immediate  payment.  The  recommendations  respecting 
assessments  and  taxation,  the  re-surveying  of  the  swamp-lands,  and  a  reform 
in  the  auditing  of  accounts  against  the  State,  demand,  he  sayp  careful  and 
early  consideration.  The  revision  of  the  statutes  is  recommei.Jcd,  and  the 
fact  that  some  six  hundred  amendments  have  been  made  since  the  lost 


600 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


revision  quoted  as  an  evidence  of  the  necpssity  for  such  a  step.  The  com- 
pletion of  the  Capitol,  the  acceptance  of  the  Agricultural  College  grant,  and 
compliance  with  its  terms,  tlie  nnlargemont  of  the  Hospital  for  the  Insane, 
and  the  foundation  of  a  home  for  soldiers'  oi7)hans,  are  the  most  prominent 
recommendations  of  the  message.  The  message  closes  with  a  just  and 
eloquent  tribute  to  the  services  of  the  brave  and  patriotic  men  by  whose 
Talor  and  sacrifices  the  Union  has  been  maintained,  and  republican  insti- 
tutions perpetuated. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  important  measures  passed  at  this  session 
of  the  legislature:  — 

An  act  to  authorize  the  commissioners  of  school  and  university  lands, 
■with  the  governor  and  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  to  settle  and 
compromise  certain  indebtedness  of  the  Stat?;  to  provide  for  the  manage- 
ment of  the  trust-funds  of  the  State  of  ^Viscousin ;  to  provide  a  home  for 
the  orphans  of  Wisconsin  soldiers;  to  provide  for  completing  tiie  State 
Capitol,  and  heating  the  same,  and  ai>prcririating  one  hundred  and  ten 
thousand  dollars  for  the  same,  to  be  paid  in  tlie  years  1800  and  1S07;  to 
provide  for  the  enlargement  of  the  Wisconsin  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane, 
and  ninety-eight  thousand  il"e  hundred  dollars  appropriated  for  tlio  same; 
to  providi'  for  levying  and  colic  ting  a  State  t:ix,  fur  tlie  year  1800,  of  ono 
hundred  tliousand  dollars;  to  apportion  the  State  into  senate  and  assembly- 
districts;  to  re-organize  ami  enlarge  the  Univorsity  of  Wisconsin,  and  to 
authorize  the  County  of  Dane  to  iss-no  bonds  in  ail  therefor;  to  incorporate 
the  board  of  regents  of  normal  schools,  and  to  dcthie  the  duties  thereof;  to 
amend  the  general  law  of  18.)0,  entitli'd  "An  Act  to  prescribe  and  limit 
the  Rate  of  Interest;"  to  provide  for  the  .sale  of  the 'Agricultural  College 
lands;  to  provide  for  a  revision  of  the  laws  in  relation  to  the  assessment  and 
collection  of  taxes;  to  provide  for  the  rebuilding  oi  the  State  Reform  School, 
destroyed  by  fire. 

During  the  session,  there  were  four  hundred  and  seveniy  bills  introduced 
in  the  senate,  and  six  hundred  and  forty-four  in  the  assembly;  and  there 
have  been  five  hundred  and  c'ghty-seven  locrd  and  private  laws,  one  liun- 
dred  and  forty-six  general  laws,  one  bundled  and  t  mi  appropriations,  seven- 
teen memorials,  and  eight  joint  resolutions  passed,  making  eight  hundred 
and  sixty-seven  enactments  in  all.  Of  the  joint  resolutions,  three  were  for 
instructing  our  senators  and  representatives  in  Congress  to  secure  the 
passage  of  acts  of  Congress  at  the  earliest  practical  moment;  giving  their 
approval  and  consent  to  certain  routes  for  railroads  in  the  State;  one  sub- 
mitting the  question  of  a  constitutional  convention  to  the  peo'-le  of  the 
State;  one  declaring  it  to  bo  the  duty  of  Senator  Doolittle  t^  resign  the 
office  of  United  States  senator;  and  one  in  referenci!  to  an  artesian  well  in 
the  Capitol  park.  The  memorials  were  mainly  for  increased  mail  facilities, 
ond  for  grants  of  lands  for  railroad  purposes. 

A  stringent  maximum  freight-bill  passed  the  assembly  by  a  very  large 
majority,  but  failed  to  secure  the  concurr'Mice  of  tlie  Senate.  The  latter 
body  passed  a  bill,  mild  and  moderate  in  its  terms,  that  likewise  failed  to 


602 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


receive  the  sanction  of  the  assembly.     By  this  disagreement  between  the 
two  houses,  all  legislation  on  the  subject  was  defeated. 

Reference  has  been  had  to  a  bill  passed  to  provide  a  home  for  the  orphans 
of  deceased  soldiers.  Some  furtlicr  account  of  this  institution  will  be  given. 
The  first  bill  for  a  soldiers'  orplian  home  was  introduced  in  the  assembly 
in  1805;  but  the  law  authorizing  the  present  estr.blishment  was  enacted 
recently,  although  the  Home  was  opened  Jau.  1,  I'JOO,  the  necessary  means 
being  contributed  by  private  subscription.  The  IIcjTie  was  projected  by  Mrs, 
C.  A.  P.  Harvey,  who  conceived  the  idfa  of  converting  the  well-known 
Harvey  U.S..\.  General  Hospital  into  a  home  'ii'  the  class  of  children  ita 
name  indicates.  This  lady  obtained  ivr^f  'Acx-  .  'irshall  and  Ilsley  a  prop- 
osition to  sell  the  property  lying  on  th'  ■  n.  j^ake  Menoua,  formerly 
the  property  of  cx-Gov.  L.  J.  Farwdl,  at  &,  price  of  ten  thousand  dollars, 
provided  that  tlie  General  Government  would  donate  its  share  of  the  build- 
ings and  improvements  made  thereon  (at  a  cost  of  about  twelve  thousand), 
and  provided,  also,  that  it  should  be  fitted  up  and  furnished  in  readiness  for 
the  orphans  of  soldiers  from  Wisconsin  who  ha\e  died  in  the  service  during 
the  late  Rebellion,  such  fitti':a'-up  and  furnishing  to  be  done  by  private  sub- 
scriptions, and  then  as  a  whole  donated  to  the  .St-ite,  in  which  the  title  .should 
be  vested;  all  with  a  view  to  its  permanent  establishment  under  the  auspices 
of  the  State,  to  be  classed  with  its  other  benevolent  and  charitable  institu- 
tions. The  plan  li.aving  been  submitted  to  the  secretaiy  of  war,  by  his 
order  possession  was  given  to  Jlrs.  Harvey,  subject  to  the  conditions  of 
Messrs.  Marshall  and  Ilsley's  proposition.  The  arao\nit  raised  by  subscription 
was  $12, 831. 09.  The  grounds  are  situated  about  a  mile  from  the  Capitol 
Square,  and  the  building  was  erected  by  Gov.  Farwell  in  185G. 

The  Home  became  a  .Stato  institution  March  31,  ISOO.  J'vior  to  the  pur- 
chase of  tiie  property  by  tlie  State,  the  institution  had  be;!  r-j.^iicd  by  Jlrs. 
Harvey  and  a  temporary  board  of  trustees.  Under  tiieir  ■  •  tirn,  'ho  build- 
ing was  thoroughly  refltt-'d  and  furnished;  and,  at  tho  '  .  j*'  Stuto  took 
possession,  there  were  eigbtj'-four  orphans  duly  admitl  1,  !  ,i.-0)i  1y  cared 
for.  Jlrs.  ILirvcy  was  tlin  first  superintendent.  On  the  isl,  .'f  "i.-iy  1807, 
she  resigned,  and  was  su  ded  by  Mr.  F.  B.  Brewer,  who  o  ■•  ,k1  the 
position  until  Jan.  1,  ISOti,  when  ll''V.  I.  N.  Cundall  was  elected  to  the 
position.  After  filling  the  place  over  a  year,  he  resigned,  and  was  succeeded 
by  AVilliam  1".  Towers,  who  staid  till  Marcii  1,  1872,  when  R.  W.  Burton 
succeeded.  The  latter  gentleman  oceupied  the  position  until  the  elosin,  (> 
of  the  institution,  in  the  year  1871.  Tlie  history  of  the  Homo  will  be  con- 
tinued in  subsequent  pages.  In  tlie  year  1800  the  State  University  was 
completely  re-organized,  so  as  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  laws  of  Con- 
gress granting  the  lauds  for  agricultural  colleges;  and  there  were  appropri- 
ated for  tiie  endowment  mid  support  of  the  univ  '  fy  the  iiicomo  of  the 
uiiivcrsity-fund,  and  the  income  of  a  fund  to  !.  ...iu'ed  from  the  soles  of 
the  two  hundred  and  forty  tlicuisaiid  acres  of  lami  ^,  ited  by  Congress  to 
the  State  of  Wisconsin.  In  pursuance  of  a  law  passL('  m,  tlip  soshion  of  the 
legislature  of  this  year,  the  county  o.'  Dane  issued  bonds  to  the  amount  of 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


603 


forty  thousand  dollars  for  the  purchase  of  about  two  hundred  acres  of  land, 
lyuig  contiguous  to  the  university  grounds,  for  an  experimental  farm,  and 
for  the  erection  of  suitable  buildings  thereon. 

The  proposals  for  sinking  an  artesian  well  in  the  Capitol  Park,  as  author- 
ized by  a  resolution  of  the  legislature,  were  opened  on  the  21st  of  May^  1800. 
The  proposals  were  for  sinking  a  well  to  the  depth  of  five  hundred  feet, 
within  which  distance  it  was  expected  that  water  in  sufficient  quantity  would 
be  found.  Tlie  contract  was  awarded  to  J.  II.  Underwood,  for  forty-nine 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

The  proposals  for  building  two  additional  wings  to  the  Hospital  for  the 
Insane  were  considered  by  the  board  of  trustees  on  the  23d  of  May.  Some 
thirty  proposals  were  received,  most  of  them  for  only  parts  of  the  ■•■  ork. 
The  proposition  of  A.  R.  Moxley  (one  hundred  and  tliroe  thousand  and  seven 
hundred  dollars)  being  the  lowest,  the  executive  committee  were  author- 
ized to  accept  his  bid,  and  enter  into  a  contract  for  doing  the  whole  work. 
The  two  wings  were  to  be  completed  by  the  1st  of  July,  1807.  Jlr.  Moxley 
subsequently  declined  accepting  the  contract;  and  the  work  was  advertised 
again  for  tl  reception  of  proposals,  certain  changes  having  been  mride  in 
the  details.  On  tlie  19th  of  June,  the  bids  were  opened  (sixteen),  ami  the 
contract  awarded  to  Andrew  Proudfit,  and  Anderson,  Davidson,  &  Co. ;  the 
fonner  doing  thj  mason-work,  and  the  latter  the  carpenter-work.  The 
aggregate  cost  of  the  work  by  the  contract  was  to  be  ninety-eight  tliousand 
doll;'  rs.  The  apparatus  for  heating  the  new  wings  was  provided  for  under 
a  separate  contract. 

The  board  of  Capitol  building-commissioners,  at  a  session  Iield  on  the 
21st  of  July,  decided,  that  under  the  law  of  last  winter,  limiting  tlie  amount 
for  completing  the  Capitol  to  eighty-five  thousand  dollars,  while  tlie  bids  for 
doing  tlie  work  ranged  from  one  liundred  and  fifty-one  thousand  five  hun- 
dred dollars  to  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  they  would  not  bo  justified  in 
letting  any  contract  the  present  season.  The  whole  matter  would  have  to 
be  refciTcd  to  the  next  legislature. 

The  board  of  regents  of  the  university,  at  their  meeting  in  Aug\ist,  1800, 
elected  Prof.  Paul  A.  Chadbourne  of  Williams  College,  JIass.,  president 
of  the  university.  At  the  congressional  election  in  November,  1800,  Hal- 
bert  E.  Paine,  Benjamin  F.  Hopkins,  Amasa  Cobb,  Charles  A.  Eldridge, 
Philetus  Sawyer,  and  C.  C.  Washburn  were  elected  mumbers  of  Congress. 
The  vote  for  a  constitutional  convention  was,  — for  convention,  22,431  ; 
against  convention,  30,802. 


CHAPTER  LVII. 


ADMIXISTKATIOX  OF  GOV.   rAIRCHILD. 


Events  ot  1807  — Ijegislnlicm  — Statistics —Denth  of  Senator  Ilailley — Contest 
for  tlie  Uuiteil-States  Senatorsliip  —  Criticisms  on  tlio  Lcgi.ilature. 

TnK  second  year  of  the  administration  of  Gov.  Fairchild  commenced  Jan. 
1,  1S07.  On  tho  0th,  the  twontioth  session  of  the  State  legislature  con- 
vened, and  was  organized  in  tho  senate  by  Hon.  Wyman  Spoonor,  lieutenant- 
governor,  taking  tho  chair  as  president,  and  the  election  of  L.  15.  Hills  as 
chief  clerk,  and  Asa  Kinney  as  scrgeant-at-arms  ;  .and  in  the  .issembly  by 
the  election  of  Angus  Cameron  as  speaker,  IL  W.  Young  chief  clerk,  and 
Dianiel  Webster  sergoant-at-arms.  The  session  continued  till  April  11, 
when  it  .adjourned,  after  ninety-three  days'  service.  The  annual  mossago 
was  read  in  person  by  the  governor,  on  the  10th  of  .January.  A  largo  por- 
tion of  tho  document  is  occupied  with  a  summary  of  tho  f.acts  contained  in 
tho  reports  of  tho  several  Stats  ofTicurs  an<l  tho  trustees  of  public  institu- 
tions. Few  of  those  reports  are  se(Mi  and  read  by  tho  masses  of  the  people; 
and,  unless  the  information  they  give  is  thus  reproduced  by  tho  governor,  it 
does  not  gi't  disseminated  through  the  .State.  Ho  reiterates  his  .approbation 
of  tho  policy  of  investing  tho  trust-funds  in  non-negotiablo  securities  ; 
recommends  memoriali/ing  Congress  in  favor  of  the  assumption  of  the  war- 
debts  of  loyal  .States  l)y  the  General  Government;  an  amendment  to  the 
insurance-law,  so  as  to  require  all  companies  to  report  annually  to  tho  secre- 
tary of  State;  tho  liniit.ation  of  tho  number  of  notaries  public,  and  the 
requirement  of  a  rea.jOnable  fee  for  their  commissions;  tho  fostering  of  the 
iigricultnral  and  other  inti^rests  of  tho  State  by  appropriate  legislation;  a 
thorough  inquiry,  with  a  view  to  .ascertain  precisely  what  course  should  be 
pursued,  consisting  with  equity  and  sound  State  policy,  in  regard  to  the 
complaints  against  railroad-corporations;  tho  adoption  of  measures  to 
induce  omigr.ation  from  Kurope;  a  liberal  policy  towards  the  several  benev- 
olent institutions  of  tho  State,  the  State  University,  and  the  State  Historical 
Society;  a  more  efBcient  military  law,  which  shall  provide  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  at  least  ten  thoroughly -organized  companies  of  militia;  an  increase 
of  tho  salaries  of  the  judges  of  the  Supremo  Court;  and  an  appropriation  of 
tho  proportion  duo  from  this  State  for  the  comiiletion  of  the  nation.al  cemc- 
tories.  He  also  renews  his  remonstrances  against  special  legislation.  The 
C0« 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


605 


message  closes  with  an  earnest  recotnmendation  for  the  adoption  of  the  con- 
stitutional amendment,  and  a  brief  reference  to  the  subject  of  reconstruc- 
tion, declaring  it  to  Ije  tlie  duty  of  Congress  to  provide  for  the  establisliment 
of  provisional  governments  over  those  portions  of  tlie  country  lately  in 
rebellion,  where  the  people  have  refused  to  acquiesce  in  the  amendment. 

On  the  23d  of  January,  the  two  houses  met  in  joint  convention,  at  which 
time  the  chief  clerk  of  the  senate  proceeded  to  read  so  mucli  of  the  journal 
of  the  senate  as  related  to  the  action  of  the  senate  on  the  preceding  day  in 
the  matter  of  an  election  of  a  senator  in  Congress  from  the  State  of  Wis- 
consin ;  from  which  it  appeared  tiiat  Timothy  O.  Ilowe  received  twenty- 
three  votes,  Charles  A.  Kldredge  received  nine  votes,  and  E.  S.  Bragg 
received  one  vote,  of  the  votes  of  the  senators  for  senator  in  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States  from  said  State. 

The  chief  clerk  of  tlie  assembly  then  read  so  much  of  the  journal  of  tho 
assembly  as  related  to  tho  said  subject  ;  from  wliicli  it  appeared  that  Timo- 
thy O.  Ilowe  received  seventy-two  votes,  Charles  A.  Eldridgo  received 
thirty-one  votes,  E.  S.  Bragg  one  vote,  and  J.  J.  Guppy  one  vote,  of  tho 
votes  of  the  members  of  the  assembly;  whereupon,  it  appearing  that  Tim- 
othy O.  Ilowe,  had  received  a  majority  of  all  tho  votes  in  each  house,  the 
president  of  the  joint  assembly  declared  the  said  Timothy  O.  Ilowe  duly 
elected  senator  for  tho  term  of  six  years,  commencing  the  4th  of  ^larch, 
1808. 

A  joint  resolution  of  tho  two  houses  was  adopted,  and  approved  by  the 
governor,  on  the  20th  of  January,  —  that  Hon.  James  U.  Doolittle,  United 
States  senator  from  Wisconsin,  having  disregarded  the  resolution  of  the 
legislature  of  1800,  declaring  it  his  dulij  to  resign  the  office  of  United  States 
senator  for  certain  reasons  set  forth  in  said  resolutions,  is  hereby  instructed 
to  ri'  ign  the  senatorial  office. 

On  the  3d  of  March,  Hon.  Jackson  Iladley,  senator  of  the  fifth  senatorial 
district,  died  at  his  residence  in  Milwaukee.  He  liad  attended  the  session 
of  the  legislature  until  within  a  few  days  of  his  death.  Thougli  his  limbs 
were  paralyzed,  and  ho  was  unable  to  walk,  he  took  an  active  part  in  tho  busi- 
ness of  tho  senate.  His  death  was  sudden,  though  not  unexpected.  Appro- 
priate resolutions  were  passed  by  tho  two  houses,  and  tho  legislature 
adjourned  to  attend  the  funeral  solemnities. 

At  a  subsequent  date,  Henry  h.  Palmer  was  elected  senator  to  fill  the 
unexpired  term  of  office  of  Senator  Iladley.  Tiie  legislature  passed  one 
hundred  and  eighty-one  general  laws,  six  iiundred  and  nine  private  and 
local  laws,  and  twonty-t'vo  joint  resolutions.  Of  the  latter,  is  one  request- 
ing Senator  Doolltti.;  to  resign;  ratifying  the  Fourteenth  Amendment  to  tho 
United  States  Constitution,  and  submitting  tho  same  to  a  vote  of  the  peo- 
ple; two  relative  to  tiie  Nortii  Pacific  Ilailroad;  relating  to  the  imiirovement 
of  the  navigation  of  tho  Mississippi  River;  authorizing  the  governor  to  pre- 
pare a  suitable  medal  for  Cyrus  W.  Field;  and  one  nmendmg  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  State,  relating  to  the  rigiit  of  suffrage. 

Of  the  important  laws  enacted  were  the  following:  to  authorize  tho  gOT« 


606 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


emor  to  appoint  commissioners  to  represent  the  State  in  tlie  Industrial 
Exhibition  at  Paris  in  lS(i7  ;  to  regulate  the  liours  of  manual  hibor,  and 
fix  the  same  at  eight  hours  a  day  ;  for  the  relief  of  families  of  citizens 
of  AVisconsin  who  served  in  the  naval  service  of  the  United  States  ;  to 
provide  for  levj-ing  and  collecting  a  State  tax  for  1807  (four  hundred 
and  seventy-live  thousand  dollars);  to  establish  a  boai'd  of  emigration;  to 
provide  for  continuing  the  work  on  the  State  Capitol,  and  eighty-five  thou- 
sand dollars  appropriated  for  the  same;  three  bills  which  effect  tho  consoli- 
dation of  the  several  lines  of  railroad  running  into  AliUvaukee  (with  tho 
exception  of  the  Lake  Shore  lload)  in  the  hands  of  the  St.  Paul  llailway 
Company. 

The  session  was  prolonged,  and  its  business  embarrassed,  by  the  intro- 
duction of  several  local  bills,  in  which  individual  members  had  a  <leep  ]ier- 
Bonal  interest;  such  as  the  Dells  Improvement,  the  IJeef  Slough  lioom  Kill, 
and  the  repeal  of  the  charter  of  the  Black  Uiver  Improvement  Company. 
Of  the  membei-s  of  this  legislature,  one  newsj)aper  s.iys,  — 

"  Indiviilnallv  tliei'e  wore  many  aniialile,  hi^'li-iuindod,  and  alilo  men  in  liolh 
houses:  tliero  were  soitie  otlierwisc,  as  tliere  always  will  lie.  Tlie  frond  speakers, 
tlie  men  nf  talent  and  exridlent  soi'ial  qualities,  were  niniienms;  and  tliey  were 
regarded  with  great  personal  respeet.  Collectively,  as  a  law-making;  liody,  in  a 
great  iiiiblie  crisis  when  statesnianshl]),  and  not  partisanship,  was  wanted,  tliis 
legislatnn;  must  lie  pronounced  a  failure,  and  a  damage  to  the  State,  and  deserv- 
hig  tho  seal  of  reprohalion,  wlii.  Ii  has  already  been  placei)  upon  it.  Aiiionij  other 
things,  the  menihers  were  extraordinarily  greeily  in  the  matter  of  penpiisites. 
Each  member  lias  had  thirty  dollars'  worth  of  stationery,  tnid  seveiity-tivo  dol- 
lars' worth  of  postage-stamps;  ami  each  senator  had  a  copy  of  "Webster's  Un- 
abridged Dictionary."  This  amounted  to  .S14,(l;;!l,  besides  all  that  was  given  to  the 
regular  and  snboniinate  olliiers.  It  has  been  an  idle  legislature,  working,  on  au 
average,  not  to  exceeil  thn^e  hours  a  day,  iluring  live  days  of  the  week." 

Another  paper,  more  in  sympathy  with  tho  party  having  the  majority  in 
the  legislature,  says,  — 

"When  tho  legislature  met,  a  general  impre.ssion  prevailed,  that  the  session 
wotild  lie  brief,  and  the  anioiintof  Imsinessdone,  sutall,  <ia  compared  with  previous 
sessions.  None  of  these  expectations  have  been  realized.  The  session  has  proved 
unusually  jirotracted;  the  amount  of  bnsine.ss  done  has  been  very  large;  and  but 
little  attention  has  been  given  to  the  assessment  and  collection  laws.  Indeed,  tho 
assembly  linally  postponed  the  senate  bill  on  that  subject,  for  want  of  time  to 
examine  it.  IMngs  were  formed  in  support  of  and  in  oi)pi>sition  to  certain  measures, 
and  a  sliarp  system  of  log-rolling  organized;  so  that  freiinently  votes  were  largely 
influenced  upon  other  and  independent  bills,  with  litilj  or  no  regard  to  their  real 
merits  or  demerits.  This  has  licen  more  noticeable  in  tho  late  session  than  pre- 
vious ones,  and  was  tho  cause  not  only  of  prohniging  tho  session,  but  perhaps 
of  the  passage  of  somo  measures  which  could  not  have  succeeUoJ  upon  their 
merits  alone." 

Hon.  Orsamus  Cole  was  re-electcU  associate  justice  of  tho  Supremo  Court, 
at  the  election  in  April,  for  six  years  from  JLiy  30,  1807. 

The  bids  for  tho  completion  of  the  Capitol  rotunda  to,  and  including,  the 
base  of  the  dome,  and  enclosing  it  by  '.  temporary  roof,  were  opened  on  the 


608 


B I  STORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


18th  of  May,  1807;  and  the  contract  was  awarded  by  the  bnildinjj-commis- 
sioners  to  William  Goodnow  of  Milwaukee,  for  $83,030.  The  Milwaukee 
city  papers,  in  the  month  of  May,  published  a  list  of  incomes  of  that  city, 
as  returned  to  the  United  States  assessor,  with  the  thousand  dollars  and 
other  exemptions  deducted.  The  largest  income,  and  the  only  one  above 
S100,000,  was  that  of  Alexander  Mitchell,  which  was  §132,000.  There  were 
also  nine  other  incomes  above  §30,000;  viz.,  L.  II.  Kellogg,  §71,384;  M.  H. 
Meaberry,  §30,100;  John  Nazro,  §31,070;  G.  C.  Stevens,  Sll.OM;  D.  Wells, 
jun.,  833,395;  M.  S.  Tyson,  §30,002;  N.  Englemann,  $30,117;  G.  Pfister, 
§34,403;  F.  Vogel,  §34,403.  There  were  also  fourteen  incomes  between 
§20,000  and  S30,000,  and  thirty-eight  between  §10,000  and  §20,000.  A  list 
of  the  aggregate  sales  of  leading  business-houses  shows  tiiat  nineteen  liousea 
did  a  business  of  over  half  a  million  dollars;  six  more,  of  over  a  million  of 
dollars;  and  all  but  one  of  them,  over  a  million  and  a  half  ;  and  three  com- 
mission-merchants, of  over  two  milions  of  dollars;  G.  I.  Jones  &  Co.  leading 
the  list  with  sales  of  a!2,080,884. 

The  Uepublican  Union  State  Convention  convened  at  Madison  on  the 
5th  of  September,  1807,  lion.  Edward  Salouion,  president.  On  the  infor- 
mal ballot  for  governor,  Lucius  Farchild  received  219  of  the  247  votes  cast, 
and  was  unanimously  renominated.  Hon.  Wyman  Spooner  received  254 
votes,  Hon.  Henry  D.  Barron,  08  votes,  and  8  votes  scattering,  for  the  office 
of  lieutenant-governor.  Mr.  Spooner,  having  received  a  majority  oi  the 
votes,  was  declared  renominated. 

lion.  Thomas  S.  Allen  was  renominated  secretary  of  state  by  acclama- 
tion, and  Hon.  William  E.  Smith  the  same  for  state  treasurer.  For  the 
office  of  attorney-general,  Charles  11.  Gill  received  138  votes,  II.  S.  Magoon, 
40  votes,  Edwin  Hurlbut,  37,  Levi  Hubbel,  9,  and  10  scattering.  Mr.  Gill 
was  unanimously  nominated.  Gen.  Jeremiah  M.  Husk  was  renominated 
bank  comptroller  by  acclamation.  For  state-prison  commissioner,  Henry 
Cordier  received  142  votes,  George  F.  Wheeler,  98  votes,  and  17  votes  scat- 
tering. Mr.  Cordier  was  unanimously  nominated.  For  superintendent  of 
public  instruction,  A.  J.  Craig  received  131  votes,  and  J.  G.  McMynn,  120 
votes;  J.  E.  Munger,  0  votes.  Ou  a  formal  vote,  Mr.  Craig  received  144, 
and  Mr.  McMynu  received  119  votes.  Mr.  Craig  was  nominated  unani- 
mously. 

The  Democratic  State  Convention  was  held  at  Madison  the  12th  of 
September,  1807,  B.  F.  Ferguson,  president.  On  an  informal  vote  for 
governor,  J.  J.  Tallmadge  received  100,  Charles  Dunn,  25,  E.  S.  Bragg,  14, 
Alexander  Mitchell,  14,  and  5  scattering  votes.  Mr.  Tallmadge  was  unani- 
mously nominated.  G.  L.  Park  was  also  unanimously  nominated  for  lieu- 
tenant-governor. For  secretary  of  State,  Emil  Kothe,  having  received  145 
votes  of  the  158,  was  unanimously  nominated.  Peter  Uupp,  having  received 
a  majority  of  the  votes,  was  unanimously  nominated  State  treasurer.  For 
attorney-general,  E.  S.  Bragg  received  77  votes,  13  for  Judge  L.  P.  Weath- 
erby,  21  for  George  B.  Smith,  28  for  A.  B.  Braley,  and  the  remaindei 
scattering.     Gen.   Bragg  having  withdrawn  his  name,  Judge  Weatherby 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


609 


was  nnanimoiisly  nominated.  For  bank  comptroller,  R.  J.  Harney  was 
nominated  by  acclamation.  For  state-prison  commissioner,  Ole  Ile^,  having 
received  a  majority  of  all  the  votes,  was  declared  unanimously  nominated; 
as  was  also  Lyman  C.  Draper  for  superintendent  of  public  instruction.  On 
the  l'2th  Mr.  l)raper  declined  the  nomination;  and  the  place  on  the  ticket 
was  filled  by  the  Democratic  State  Committee,  by  substituting  the  name  of 
William  II.  Peck. 

At  the  election  in  November,  the  Republican  ticket  was  elected.  For 
governor,  Lucius  Fairchild  receiving  73,037  votes,  and  J.  J.  Tallraadgo 
08,873.  Fairchild's  majority,  4,501.  The  legislature  of  1808  stood:  sen- 
ate, 13  Union,  1.5  Democrats;  assembly,  59  Union,  41  Democrats. 

The  work  on  the  artesian  well,  near  the  south  entrance  of  Capitol  Park, 
was  begun;  but  after  going  down  a  thousand  feet,  at  a  cost  of  88,022.70,  and 
finding  no  water,  the  work  was  reluctantly  abandoned.  At  a  subsequent 
date,  the  well  was  made  to  subserve  a  valuable  purpose,  as  will  hereafter  be 
noticed. 


CHAPTER    LVIII. 


SECOND   ADMINISTIIATIOK  OF   GOV.   FAIRCHILD. 


Events    of  lSf)8  —  Legi3lntion  — Statistics  — Description   of  tlie  State  Capitol  — 
Election  Contest  — Presiilentlnl  Election. 

The  State  officers  elected  by  the  people  of  tiie  State,  in  November,  1807, 
entered  upon  tlieir  duties  tlie  first  day  of  January,  1868.  Most  of 'them  met 
in  the  executive  office  at  ten  o'clock,  a.m.,  and  were  sworn  into  office  by 
Chief  Justice  Dixon  of  the  Supremo  Court.  Lieut. -Gov.  Spooner  and  State- 
prison  Commissionc.  Cordier  were  ab.sent.  Having  taking  the  oath,  the 
officers  returned  to  their  respective  departments.  The  only  new  officer  was 
the  state  superintendent  of  schools,  A.  J.  Craig,  who  had  been  for  many 
years  the  assistant  superintendent. 

The  twenty-first  session  o*  the  State  legislature  convened  on  the  8th  of 
January,  1808,  and  adjourned  on  the  Cth  of  March,  after  a  short  session  of 
fifty-nine  daj's.  In  the  senate,  Lieut.-Gov.  Spooner  took  his  seat  as  presi- 
dent. L.  B.  Hills  was  elected  chief  clerk,  and  William  II.  Hamilton  ser- 
geant-nt-arms.  In  the  senate,  there  were  eighteen  Republicans,  and  fourteen 
Democrats. 

In  the  assembly,  A.  M.  Thomson  was  elected  speaker,  E.  W.  Young  chief 
clerk,  and  C.  L.  Ilairis  sergeant-at-arms. 

Gov.  Fairchild,  in  liis  message,  gives  the  important  facts  in  relation  to  the 
several  deiiartments  of  the  State,  and  its  benevolent  and  reformatory  insti- 
tutions. He  refrains  from  recommending  several  changes  in  the  fundamental 
law,  which  he  would  make,  from  an  idea  that  the  people  would,  at  no  dis- 
tant day,  call  for  a  constitutional  convention. 

The  following  are  the  recommendations  of  the  message  in  brief  :  that  the 
state  land-commissioners,  who  have  in  charge  the  several  trust-funds  of  the 
State,  be  authorized  to  invest  those  funds  in  United-States  or  other  first- 
class  securities,  the  outstanding  State  bonds  having  been  nearly  absorbed 
by  them;  the  closing  of  the  war-fund,  as  recommended  by  the  secretary  of 
state,  and  the  payment  of  such  claims  as  remain  against  it  out  of  the  gen- 
eral fund ;  the  revision  and  amendment  of  the  assessment  and  collection  laws, 
and  recommends  the  suggestions  of  Gen.  Allen,  secretary  of  state,  relative 
thereto;  the  speedy  codification  or  revision  of  the  statutes;  less  legislation 
of  a  private  and  local  nature;  that  the  superintendent  of  public  instruction  be 

610 


niSTORY  OF  W/SCONSIN. 


611 


made,  by  law,  an  ex-o/ficio  member  of  tho  Board  of  State  Univprxity  Tlffrents, 
and  officially  connoctod  with  eveiy  State  educational  board ;  tho  further  en- 
largomeiit  of  t.'io  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  or  the  erection  of  a  new 
asyhim;  tliat  ample  appropriations  be  made  for  the  support  of  the  several 
benevolent  institutions  of  tho  State,  and  a  reasonable  appropriation  toward 
the  8upi>ort  of  the  orphan  asylums  and  hospitals  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee; 
an  appropriation  of  thirty-five  thousand  dollars  to  the  State-prison  to  com- 
plete tho  north  wing,  and  (  -lay  current  expenses;  the  abolition  of  the  office 
of  bank  comptroller,  as  recommended  by  tho  present  incumbent;  the  com- 
pletion of  the  State  Capitol,  and  an  appropriation  to  be  expended  as  the 
work  progresses;  the  appropriation  of  five  thousand  dollars,  to  be  used  by 
the  Board  of  Immigi'ation  in  circulating  documents  in  Europe,  and  for  other 
measures  to  indue"  immigration  to  this  State;  that  tho  legislature  use  its 
influence  to  secure  the  early  completion  of  tho  North  Pacific  llailroad,  and 
a  ship-canal  around  Niagara  Falls,  both  of  which  are  intimately  connected 
with  tho  interest  of  AVisconsin;  that  the  legislature  ask  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment to  insist  on  a  full  and  satisfactory  settlement  of  tho  question  in  regard 
to  the  right  of  expatriation,  securing  every  right  to  the  naturalized  citizen 
that  is  jKDssessed  by  the  native  born. 

The  message  says  that  the  State  had  an  unaudited  claim  against  tho  Gen- 
eral Government  of  two  hundred  and  forty-eight  thousand  dollars.  A  part 
of  it,  under  the  stringent  rules  of  the  treasury  department,  may  be  dis- 
allowed. It  is,  however,  a  just  claim,  and,  in  that  event,  the  State  can 
properly  call  on  Congress  for  relief. 

The  State  University  is  reported  as  in  a  very  satisfactory  condition,  and 
seems  now  to  receive  the  full  confidence  of  the  people.  The  regents  desire 
the  erection  of  an  additional  building  for  tho  better  acconmiodation  of  stu- 
dents who  wish  to  enter  it.  The  governor  unites  in  tho  request,  and  hopes 
the  legislature  will  favor  the  application.  The  message  closes  with  a  reference 
to  national  matters,  and  a  brief  expression  of  the  governor's  views  upon  the 
question  of  reconstruction. 

There  were  one  hundred  and  seventy-eight  general  laws,  five  hundred  and 
fourteen  private  and  local  laws,  twenty-throe  joint  resolutions,  and  twenty- 
two  memorials  enacted  and  passed.  Of  the  laws  of  a  general  nature  were  the 
following :  to  provide  for  the  payment  of  ♦he  members  of  the  legislature 
(this  entitles  each  member  to  receive  three  u  drcd  and  fifty  dollars,  and  ten 
cents  per  mile  for  the  distance  he  shall  have  to  travel  going  to  and  returning 
from  tho  meeting  of  the  legislature) ;  to  abolish  the  office  of  bank  comp- 
troller, and  transfer  his  duties  to  the  state  treasurer;  to  provide  for  tho 
completion  of  the  State  Capitol,  and  one  hundred  and  two  thousand  dollars 
appropriated,  to  be  drawn  out  of  the  treasury  in  1868,  1809,  and  1870  (the 
law  provides  for  the  erection  and  completion  of  tho  rotunda) ;  to  accept  a 
grant  of  lands  made  to  the  State  by  Congi-ess  to  aid  in  the  construction  of 
tho  Sturgeon  Bay  and  Lake  Michigan  Ship-Canal;  to  provide  for  levying 
and  collecting  a  State  tax  for  1808  (two  hundred  and  fifty-nine  thousand 
dollars  in  addition  to  the  amount  authorized  by  existing  laws) ;  to  provide 


G12 


rnsTonr  of  ir/.<?ro.v.si/,v. 


for  thf!  iisBPssmcnt  of  proporty  fcir  taxation  nnd  tho  lovy  of  taxps  tlicmon;  to 
rcguluti'  till!  salary  of  tho  jul;;ps  of  tlu!  SuprPtiif  Court;  to  provido  for  r-.talj- 
lishln;^'  town  libraries  in  tlic  State,  &c. 

Ill  reference  to  tho  legislature,  "  Tho  MaiUson  State  Journal"  snys, — 

"It  U  tlio  Urst  Mossion  lielil,  untlor  the  cDiHtitiitiiiiial  amoinliiinnt,  which  give* 
nionilicrs  ii  Halnry  liistca<I  if  a  per  tlicm.  Thi^  aineinliiient  hix-t  priKlincil  a  visililo 
efTcot.  ill  alilircviatln);  tlio  HOSHiiin,  tlii>ii;;!i  not  iiiatoiially  illiiiinishiiig  tho  aiiumut 
of  husiiH'ss  traiisnt'tnil. 

"For  ninny  years,  tlioro  has  licoii  no  loj;iHlatiii'c  wliiili  has  hail  to  deal  with  no 
few  measures  alTei'tiii};  sperial  interests,  anil  (?'*'";;  occasion  for  tlio  picsenco  of 
a  lar^o  lolihy  forco.  Tho  rienf  .SIdukIi  Hill  was  tho  only  oiio  tliat  attracted  any 
conslileialilo  niinilier  of  oiitsidori*  to  tho  capital.  There  have  heen  no  railroad 
controvei-sios;  and  tho  po|)ular  clamor  for  legislation,  re({iiIatliiK  tho  tariff  on  rail- 
road frei^jlits,  »eeins  to  liavo  pretty  iimcli  aiilisidod.  The  most  iniporlant  general 
nieaHiiie,  prolial)ly,  Is  tho  assessment  law.  A  law  was  jiassed  for  tho  relief  of  tho 
farm  mortgasors  of  tho  La  (Jrosso  Ilailroad  Coi  my.  Tho  con.stitiitional  amend- 
ments proposed  hy  tho  losislatiiro  of  18(!7  we'  1  rejected.  For  siihmitting  tho 
quostinn  of  woman-snffrnso  to  a  vote  of  the  of  tho  State,  there  was  littlo 
favor,  diuilitlcss  owing  to  tho  fact,  that,  wit  eptlons,  tho  class  on  whom  it 
was  proposed  to  eonfer  tho  elective  franchise  have  Hignifled  no  desire  for  it.  Tho 
proposed  ninendment,  nuthorizing  tho  .Stato  to  aid  in  Imildiiig  railroads,  had  many 
strong  supporters,  and  might,  perhaps,  have  heen  carried,  had  it  not  been  ao  long 
delayed  in  tho  .senate.  It  llnally  passed  that  body,  after  liciiig  so  amended,  as  to 
requlio  further  action  on  it  l)y  tho  next  legislature.  When  it  llnally  came  liofore 
tho  assembly,  only  sixty  members  wore  present,  others  having  left  for  their 
homes;  anil  tho  hill  was  indofinitely  postponed.  A  peculiar  feature  of  tho  late 
session,  which  will  distiugnish  it  from  all  its  predecessors,  was  Its  abstinence  in 
the  matter  of  postage-atamp.s.    Not  a  postagostainp  was  voted  during  tho  session." 

Referring  to  tho  members  of  tho  legislature,  tho  same  paper  says,  — 

">Ir.  Dyer  of  Kaoine,  and  Mr.  Barron  of  Polk,  were,  i>erh[.ps,  tho  most  promi- 
nent members.  Mr.  Barron's  large  legislative  exporieiicc  and  untiring  industry, 
joined  with  practical  aliility,  always  make  him  a  power  in  a  legislative  body.  Mr. 
Dyer  was  chairman  of  the  judiciary  committee,  and  thus  held  tho  leading  position 
on  the  floor,  which  ho  discharged  with  an  ability  that  ju.stilied  his  appointment." 

A  Democratic  State  Convention  was  held  at  Madison  the  19th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1808  ;  and  lion.  Charles  Dunn  was  nominated  for  chief  justice  of  the 
Supremo  Court,  and  E.  Holmes  Ellis  for  associate  justice.  On  the  20th  of 
February,  tho  Republican  State  Convention  renominated  lion.  Luther  S. 
Dixon  for  chief  justice,  and  Hon.  Byron  Paine  for  associate  judge.  The 
two  last  persons  were  elected  in  April. 

The  bids  for  completing  the  State  Capitol  were  opened  on  the  first  day  of 
May,  and  the  contract  awarded  to  C.  S.  Rankin  &  Co.  of  Cincinnati,  O., 
for  ninety  thousand  dollars.  When  this  was  completed,  the  Capitol  had 
cost  tho  State  over  $.528,315.00. 

The  following  account  of  tho  internal  arrangements  of  the  State  Capitol 
is  taken  from  "  The  Legislative  Manual : "  — 

"  The  present  Capitol  exhibits  an  attractive  outside  appearance,  and  is  gen- 
erally admired.  The  stone  for  Its  construction  was  supplied  from  quarries  near 
Prairie  dii  Cliien  ami  Madison.    The  inside  is  handsomely  finished,  and  contains 


C14 


aiSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


complete  convenienoes,  althongl'  more  are  yet  necessary.  In  the  ba.senient  are 
tlie  water-closets,  boiler-room  (ironi  which  the  building  receives  heat),  carpenter- 
shops,  book-room,  the  roost  of  the  war  eagles,  '  Olil  Abe '  and  '  Andy,'  nud 
some  committee  rooms.  On  the  upper  iloor,  the  four  passaRes  of  which  are 
neatly  laid  with  squares  of  blue  and  white  flaj;,  are  the  dcjiartmeuts  of  the 
several  State  officers.  In  the  north  passage  are  the  oftices  of  tlie  state  treasurer 
and  school-laud  comniis-sioners ;  in  the  south  passage,  the  oiliccs  of  the  superin- 
tendents of  piiblic  property  and  of  public  instruction  aud  the  office  of  attorney- 
general;  in  the  east  passage,  the  offices  of  the  governor  aud  secretary  of  state;  and, 
in  the  west  passage,  those  of  the  adjutant-fe.ieral,  legislative  clerks,  and  State 
Agricultural  Society,  the  last  of  which  contains  some  line  specimens  of  miuerals 
and  other  scientific  curiosities.  From  the  centre  of  these  passages,  the  rotimda  and 
dome  are  seen  to  great  advantage.  The  second  floor  is  reached  by  wide  iron 
stairways,  ascending  from  the  south  and  north  passages.  Tliis  floor  is  diversely 
laid  with  red,  yellow,  and  black  tiles;  aud  in  tho  centre  a  heavy  iron  balustrade 
marks  the  rotunda.  In  the  east,  i.s  the  senafo-chamber;  in  the  west,  the  assembly- 
chamber;  in  the  north,  the  Supreme  Court  rooms  an<l  State  Library;  and,  in  the 
south,  the  choicely-filled  rooms  of  the  State  Historical  Society.  The  tirst  pur- 
chase of  books  for  the  State  Library  was  made  in  18,37;  and  it  has  received 
additions  since,  which  make  it  very  complete  and  valuable.  The  Historical 
Society  rn.nns,  always  attr£u:tive  to  visitors,  present  an  array  of  books  jiictures, 
sculpture,  and  literary  and  other  curiosities,  which  are  not  only  inten  lug  aud 
suggestive  to  'Badgers,'  but  to  residents  of  other  States.  In  one  of  tliCM;  rooms, 
the  torn  and  pierced  flags  carried  by  Wisconsin  regiments  during  the  late  war  are 
carefully  preserved  iu  a  glass  enclosure;  and  in  another  room  is  a  rare  collection 
of  animal,  mineral,  and  vegetable  curiosities  belonging  to  Hr.  Isaac  Lyon,  father 
of  Judge  Lyon  of  the  Supreme  Court;  and  the  greatest  delight  of  this  courteous 
gentleman  is  to  give  all  visitors  information  concerning  them. 

"  The  collections  in  these  rooms  have  for  years  past  been  regarded  as  very  cred 
itable  to  the  State,  and  to  Hon.  Ljnnau  C.  Draper,  the  patient  and  persevering 
originator  of  them.  Mr.  D.  S.  DuiTie,  the  librarian,  has  held  that  ollice  since 
Jan.  1,  IKoO,  and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  management  to  the  present  time. 
Since  the  Chicago  fire  destroyed  the  historical  depository  there,  the.se  collections 
can  bo  recognized  as  the  largest  and  most  valuable  in  the  North-west. 

"More  iron  stairways  lead  to  tho  galleries  and  committee  rooms  of  the  eham- 
hers;  and  yet  more,  but  narrower  ones,  lead  to  the  store-room  where  the  arms 
aud  munitions  of  the  State  are  kept,  pud  to  the  tholas;  from  which  topmost 
elevation  an  impressive  downward  view  of  tlie  whole  rotunda  is  obtained.  The 
outside  of  the  thuhis  affords  convenience  for  enjoying  an  exceedingly  line  view  of 
the  city,  lakes,  and  siuro\inding  country. 

"The  height  of  the  Capitol,  from  the  basement  to  tho  gilt  eagle  on  the  top 
of  the  flagstaff,  is  225  feet  aud  0  inches;  aud,  exclusive  of  steps  and  porticos, 
the  total  length  of  the  north  and  south  wings  is  M28  feet,  aud  of  the  east  and 
west  wings,  22(i  feet. 

"Some  impres.sive  scenes  have  1)eeu  witnessed  iu  this  Capitol  during  the  war, 
when  tho  legislature  were  acting  on  war  measures,  and  also  when  the  veteran 
soldiers,  on  their  return,  were  welcomed  with  song  aud  feasting  iu  the  diambers. 

"As  charicteristic  of  the  vim  and  energy  of  the  residents  of  WiscHiusin,  it 
must  1)0  stated  that  the  Capitol  building  progressed,  aud  heavy  expenditures  were 
made  on  it,  while  they  were  sharply  pressed  to  raise  tlieir  share  of  men  and 
means  for  tho  war. 

"The  Capitol  is  surrounded  with  walks,  greenswards,  shrubbery,  and  trees, 
which  are  carefully  kept  in  good  condition;  and  these,  with  tlie  pearly  white 
building  rising  iu  their  midst,  elicit  the  general  cxnressiou,  that  Wisconsin  has  a 
choicely  located  aud  elegant  Capitol." 


%^ 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


616 


The  following  persons  were  nominated  by  tiie  Democratic  Convention  for 
presidential  electors,  George  B.  Smith,  G.  L.  Park,  N.  D.  Fratt,  A.  G.  Cook, 
M.  M.  Strong,  II.  N.  Smith,  S.  Ryan,  jun.,  and  Theodore  llodoljih;  and  the 
following  persons  by  tlie  Uopublican  Convention,  S.  S.  Barlow,  II.  D.  Bar- 
ron, E.  Enos,  C.  G.  AVilliams,  A.  AVorden,  L.  F.  Frisby,  W.  G.  Bitch,  and 
W.  T.  Price.  The  Republican  candidates  for  members  of  Congress  were, 
llalbert  E.  Paine,  B.  F.  Hopkins,  Araasa  Cobl),  L.  F.  Frisby,  Philetus 
Sawyer,  and  C.  C.  AVashburn  ;  and  the  Democratic  candidates,  Alexander 
Mitchell,  J.  Winans,  T.  F.  H.  Passmore,  C.  A.  Eldredge,  Joseph  Vilas,  and 
A.  G.  Ellis. 

At  the  election  in  November,  the  Rejiublican  electors  received  108,920 
votes,  and  the  Democratic  electors  84,740.  The  Republican  electors,  at  a 
Bubseqnent  meeting  in  electoral  college,  cast  the  vote  of  Wisconsin  for  U.  S. 
Grant  for  President,  and  Schuyler  Colfax  for  Vice-President.  The  Repub- 
lican congressional  ticket  was  elected,  except  C.  A.  Eldredge,  Democrat, 
was  elected  from  the  fourth  district,  over  L.  F.  Frisby,  Republican. 

The  elections  of  the  fall  of  1808  were  very  exciting  ;  it  being  the  presi- 
dential election.  Much  enthusiasm  was  felt  in  this  State,  as  in  the  others. 
Public  addresses  and  processions  were  the  order  of  the  day.  The  next 
legislature  stood,  — in  the  senate,  nineteen  Republicans,  and  fourteen  Dem- 
ocrats ;  in  the  assembly,  sixty-eight  Republicans,  and  thirty-two  Democrats. 


CHAPTER  LIX. 

SECOND   ADMINISTRATION  OF  GOV.   FAIKCIIILD. 

Events  of  18l>!l  —  Lcsi^latiou  — Statistics  —State  Election  of  IRfiO  — Contf<t  in  tlie 
Legislature  for  the  United  States  Senatorsliip  —  M.  H.  Carpenter  Siiccessii.;. 


The  twenty-second  session  of  the  legislature  convened  on  the  13th  of 
January,  1809,  and  adjourned  on  the  lltii  of  March,  after  a  session  of  fifty- 
eight  days.  The  senate  was  organized  by  lion.  Wyman  Spoonor,  lieutenant- 
governor,  taking  his  seat  as  president,  and  the  election  of  L.  D.  Hills  chief 
clerk,  and  W.  II.  Hamilton  sergeaut-at-arms.  In  the  assembly,  lion.  A.  M. 
Thomson  was  re-elected  speaker,  E.  \V^  Young  chief  clerk,  and  Rollin  C. 
Kelley  sergeant-at-arms.  On  the  11th,  the  two  houses  mot  in  joint  conven- 
tion, when  the  governor  read  his  annual  message.  The  rotunda  of  the  State 
Capitol  was  now  completed,  and  a  contract  entered  into  for  the  erection  of 
the  dome,  the  work  to  be  completed  on  or  before  Dec.  1,  1809. 

From  1800  to  1870.  the  .State  expended  one  million  two  hundred  thousand 
dollars  for  the  erection  of  public  buildinj^s. 

The  most  important  business  transact '(1  in  the  legislature  after  the  or- 
ganization was  the  election  of  a  United  .States  senator  to  fill  the  place  of 
lion.  James  11.  Doolittle,  whose  term  of  office  expireil  March  i,  1S"0.  The 
contest  in  this  case  was  witliout  a  parallel  in  the  State,  in  the  amount  of 
personal  interest  it  excited  ;  and  the  no'uination  was  readied  nuich  earlier 
than  it  was  generally  expected.  Six  fo-  .  al  ballots  were  necessary  before  the 
nomination  could  be  made.  lion.  Matthew  II.  Carpenter  received  the  nom- 
ination on  the  sixth  ballot,  by  a  vote  of  forty-four  against  forty-th'-ee  for 
other  candidates.  Mr.  Carpenter's  iipponent  was  Hon.  C.  C.  Was). burn. 
Uoth  these  gentlemen  had  a  l.irge  lobl)y  present,  working  in  tlieir  int'  rest. 
The  greatest  excitement  and  cntluisiasm  prevailed.  Kvery  hotel  in  the 
city  was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity  ;  the  boarding-houses  were  filled  j 
and  some  even  slept  in  the  Capitol,  fur  want  of  otiier  accommodations.  Ou 
the  27th  of  January,  the  two  liouses  met  in  joint  convention ;  and  tiie  result 
in  each  Iioiise  was  announced  by  the  chief  clerks.  In  tiie  senate,  M.  II. 
Carpenter  received  nineteen  votes,  and  (ieorgo  B.  Smith  thirteen  votes. 
In  the  assembly,  M.  II.  Carpenter  received  sixty-seven  votes,  and  Cieorgo 
IJ.  Smith  twenty-eight ;  whereupon  the  president  announced  tiiut  Mr.  Car- 
616 


HISTORY  OF    WISCOSSIN. 


617 


peiiter,  having  recsivcd  a  majority  of  all  the  votes,  was  declarod  elected 
Uiiitcd-Statos  senator  for  the  term  of  six  years  from  March  t,  1870. 

The  State  officers  and  legislature  of  the  State  of  Jliniiesota  visited  Wis- 
consin, on  invitation  of  the  State  antliorities.  Tiiey  arrived  ut  Madison 
Feb.  10.  A  formal  reception  took  place  at  the  assembly  chamber';  and, 
after  being  introduced  to  the  niembers,  they  were  addressed  l)y  Gov.  Fair- 
child,  welcoming  them  to  the  State,  which  was  replied  to  by  Gov.  W.  U, 
Marshall  of  Minnesota.  Speeches  were  also  made  by  Hon.  K.  S.  Uragg 
and  Hon.  H.  D.  I5arrou  on  the  part  of  the  legislature  of  Wisconsin,  and 
by  Hon.  Warren  liristol  and  Hon.  J.  L.  McDonald  on  tiie  i)art  of  the  legi.s- 
lature  of  Minnesota.  The  party,  after  an  ample  repast,  proceeded  by 
railroad  to  Milwaukee,  to  accept  an  invitation  from  tlie  people  of  that  city 
to  visit  them,  where  they  were  received  by  the  Light  Guard,  and  escorted  to 
the  different  liotels.  After  a  magnificent  banquet  at  Music  Hall,  the  party 
were  invited  to  a  grand  ball.  On  the  IJth,  they  visited  the  places  of 
interest  of  the  city,  and  returned  to  their  liomes  highly  pleased  witli  their 
visit  to  Wisconsin. 

The  legislature  adjourned  JIarch  11.  The  session  was  one  of  the 
shortest  on  record.  Notwithstanding  the  distracting  excitement  in  refer- 
ence to  the  election  of  Unit''l  Stat''s  senator,  and  the  interruption  of  tho 
session  by  the  Minnesota  visit,  about  as  miicli  business  was  tr:\nsacted  as  at 
till-  (irevious  session.  Aniuug  tiie  most  iiii|Hirtant  measures  which  were 
carried  out  were,  tl'  itilication  of  the  sull'ragc  amendment  to  tho  United 
States  Constitutioi  .in  proposed  amei.huents  to  tlie  State  constitution, 
authorizing  the  abolitmu  of  the  grand  jiny,  the  increa.se  of  t!i"  nii  iiber  of 
Supreme  Court  juilges  to  fn'  llio  inerease  it'  the  salaries  of  li  ;,''  ernor  to 
five  thousand  dollars,  and  the  )i"if'  uant-goveruor  t«>  oni!  thousand  dollars; 
the  estublit^hnient  uf  thi"  townsiiip  .syst'  ni  of  school  gf'  rnment:  the  codifi- 
cation of  the  laws  relative  to  highway-,  and  liridg."-,  j-urmal  schools  and 
strays;  substantially  repealing  the  law  disfrancliising  deserters  ;  to  provide 
for  statistics  for  state  and  county  boards  of  assrssmeiits ;  a  lir>ri;;ing  tlie 
secretary  of  state  to  levy  additional  taxes  to  tho  provided  tor  by  iuw.  in 
order  to  meet  existing  ap|>ropriations.  Liberal  i|  propriations  were  made 
to  the  various  State  institutions,  amounting  l  '  about  two  hundred  and 
seventy-five  thousand  dollars. 

There  were  a  considerable  number  of  imiwrtant  bills  introduced,  which 
failed  to  become  laws  :  bills  to  compel  attendance  at  scli  .Is,  to  restore  tlie 
town  supervisor  system  of  county  government,  t<i  '  the  death-penalty 

for  murder,  to  submit  to  the  people  tiie  question  i>i  i.il'ling  a  constitutional 
convention,  estabiisiiing  a  uniform  railroad  passengi'r  and  freight  taritl. 
liijls  submitting  to  the  people  the  extension  of  suffrage  to  women,  codify- 
ing the  laws  for  the  collection  of  taxes,  to  enable  the  families  of  drunkards 
and  spendthrifts  to  collect  damages  from  persons  who  sell  them  liquor,  to 
establish  another  hospital  for  Hie  insane,  and  an  institution  for  the  eare  and 
training  of  idiotic  and  imbecile  children,  and  many  others,  were  killed  in 
the  senate.     Among  the  prominent  men  in  the  senate  on  the  Uepubliean 


618 

HISTORY 

OF  WISCOXSIN. 

side  were  Mr.  Taylor, 

Mr.  Ilazleton,  Mr.  C.  G. 

•Williams 

,  Sir.  V 

m  Wyck, 

and  Jlr 

Litttlojohu. 

On  till!  Democratic  side 

was  Sat. 

Clark,  Mr.  W.  P.                  J 

Lj-nde, 

Mr.  Hragu.  Mr.  Ueed,  Mr. 

Lander,  and 

others. 

In  the 

assembly,                   1 

anions' 

tho  Ilepublicans  were  ^Ir 

.  IJarron,  Mr 

Bingham 

,  Mr.  I? 

ixter,  :Mr.                   1 

Conklii 

,  Jlr.  Jolinson 

ilr.   Pound 

and  others. 

On  the 

Denioei 

atic  side,                    1 

Mr.  Maxnn  was  the  leader ;  and  George  B.  Smith,  Mr.  Allen,  Mr.  Richards, 
and  Jlr.  Hamilton  were  prominent. 

The  legislature  passed  one  hundred  and  eighty-eight  general  la\v<-,  fci"" 
hundred  and  sixty-nine  private  and  local  laws,  eight  joint  resolutions,  and 
four  memorials. 

Tli(!  Republican  members  of  tho  legislature,  on  the  :2Jd  of  January, 
requested  Luther  S.  Dixon  to  be  a  candidate  for  re-election  as  chief  justice 
of  tho  Supreme  Court,  which  he  accepted;  and  he  was  re-elected  in  April. 

On  the  Ist  of  September,  the  Republican  State  Convention  met  to  nom- 
inate State  otlieers,  William  Pitt  Dewey  president.  On  an  informal  l>allot, 
David  Atwood  received  fifty-nine  votes,  Lucius  Fairchild  sixty-three  votes, 
William  K.  Smith  fifty-four  votes,  A.  Van  Wyck  fifty-two  voti'M,  for  tho 
office  of  governor.  On  the  sixth  formal  ballot,  Lucius  Fiiirchild  received 
one  hundred  and  thirty-tight  votes,  and  Anthony  Van  Wj'ck  one  hundred 
and  twenty-five.  Mr.  Fairchild  was  renominated  unanimously.  For  lieu- 
tenant-governor, Tliaddeua  C.  Pound  received  ono  hundred  and  fifty-two 
votes,  and  was  nominated.  For  secretary  of  state,  E.  A.  Spencer  received 
one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  votes,  and  T.  S.  Allen  ninety-five  votes.  Mr. 
Spencer  was  nominated.  lie  subsequently  dtelined  being  a  candidate;  and 
Llewellyn  Breose  was  appointed  by  the  Reiiublican  State  Convention  to  fill 
the  vacancy.  For  state  treasurer,  Henry  Daetz  received  one  lunnlred  and 
eighty-three  votes,  and  was  renominated.  For  attorney-general,  S.  S.  liar- 
low  receivetl  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  votes,  and  was  nou)inated.  (Jeorge 
¥.  Wheeler  received  one  hundred  and  sixty  votes  for  state-prison  commis- 
eioner,  and  A.  J.  Craig  one  hundred  ami  twenty-tliree  votes  for  suiierinleud- 
enfc  of  public  instruction.     IJoth  gentlemen  werenoniinated. 

On  the  8th  of  September,  the  Dmuocratic  Stato  Convention  was  Indd  at 
Milwaukee,  E.  S.  liragg  presidi'iit.  The  following  jieisons  were  ]mt  in 
noniinati'm :  for  governor,  C.  D.  Robinson;  lii'utenant-govcruor,  H.  11. 
Gray;  secretary  of  state,  A.  G.  Cook  ;  state  treasurer,  Jolin  ISlack:  altoui"y- 
general,  S.  U.  Pinney;  state-prison  conimis.sioni'r,  C.  M.  liordoe;  superin- 
tendent of  public  instruction,  P.  K.  Gannon. 

At  tho  election  in  November,  the  Republican  ticket  was  olect"d.  Fair- 
child  received  (i!),.182  votes  forgovernor.  and  Rol)insou  (Jl.l.':5!J  ;  the  majority 
of  the  former,  8,:iI3.  The  remainder  of  the  ticket  received  u  majority  of 
about  nine  thousand  over  the  Democratic  candidates. 


CHAPTER  LX. 

THIRD    ADMINISTRATION    OF   GOV.    FAIRCHILD. 

Events  of  1870  —  Legislation  and  Statistics  —  A  Movement  to  remove  the  Capital 
to  Milwaukee  fails  —  View  of  the  State  Institutions. 


TaE  third  day  of  January,  1870.  witnessed  a  change  in  most  of  the  State 
offices.  The  persons  elected  iu  November  last  assumed  their  duties.  Gov. 
Fairciiild  entered  upon  his  office  for  a  tliird  term;  and  tliis  fact  is  a  sufficient 
evidence  tliat  liis  services  had  been  appreciated  by  the  people. 

The  Twenty-third  session  of  the  legislature  commenced  Jan.  12,  1870, 
and  adjourned  JIarch  17,  after  a  session  of  sixty-five  days. 

lion.  Thaddeus  C.  Pound,  lieutenant-governor  elect,  took  his  place  as  presi- 
dent of  the  senate.  L.  B.  Hills  was  elected  chief  clerk,  and  E.  M.  Rogers 
«ergeant-at-arms.  In  the  assembly,  James  M.  Bingham  was  elected  speaker, 
E.  \V.  Young  chief  clerk,  and  Ole  C.  Johnson  sergeant-at-arms.  In  the 
senate  tliere  were  nineteen  llepublicans,  and  fourteei'  Democrats;  and,  iu 
the  assembly,  sixty  IJepublicans,  and  forty  Democrats. 

The  inaugural  reception  of  the  State  officers  at  the  Capitol  on  the  13th 
was  very  largely  attended  by  the  members  of  tlie  legislature,  citizens, 
and  strangei-8.  Two  military  companies  from  Milwaukee,  the  Light  Guard 
and  Sheridan  Guards,  participated  in  tlie  reception.  In  tlie  evening,  Gov. 
Faircliild  and  the  State  officers  received  their  friends  in  the  east  room 
of  tlie  State  Historical  Society  until  nine,  P..M.,  when  an  adjournment  was 
made  to  the  assembly  cliamber,  which  had  been  prepared  for  the  occasion ; 
and  dancing  was  kept  up  until  early  next  morning. 

On  the  liltli  of  January,  in  the  joint  convention  of  the  legislature,  Gov. 
Faircliild  appeared,  and  delivered  his  annual  message. 

In  tlie  month  of  January,  Gov.  Faircliild  received  official  information  that 
claims  of  Wisconsin  for  equipping  troops  for  the  Union  army,  &c.,  to  the 
cmount  of  8-19,742.00,  heretofore  suspended  or  di.sallowed,  had  been 
audited,  and  the  sum  passed  to  tlie  credit  of  the  State  against  the  direct  tax 
of  1802,  which  the  State  had  never  paid.  On  the  previous  year,  the  sum  of 
tl31,000  was  also  allowed.  A  large  amount  of  other  claims  still  remained 
suspended;  and  the  State  authorities  urged  their  settlement  by  every  means 
ill  their  j>ower. 

620 


BISTORT  0"  WISCONSIN. 


621 


In  the  month  of  March,  an  energetic  3ort  was  made  in  the  legislature,  by 
the  citizens  of  Milwaukee,  to  remove  the  seat  of  government  from  Madison 
to  Milwaukee;  the  city  and  county  of  Milwaukee  projwsing  to  donate  to  the 
State  the  new  county  court-house  un.lor  some  stipulations.  The  question 
was  brought  up  iu  the  assembly,  when  a  spirited  debate  took  place.  A 
motion  to  indefinitely  postpone  the  bill  finally  passed  by  a  vote  of  fifty-six 
to  thirty. 

On  the  17th  of  March,  tlie  legislature,  having  finished  its  labors,  adjourned. 
It  was  largely  composed  of  able,  honest,  and  industrious  men,  who  were 
controlled  in  their  action  by  what  they  thought  was  for  the  best  interests  of 
the  State.  There  were  passed  tw^enty-one  appropriation  bills,  twenty-five 
joint  resolutions,  fifteen  memorials  to  Congress,  five  hundred  and  seventeen 
private  and  local  laws,  and  a  hundred  and  forty-eight  general  laws.  Of  Ihe 
general  laws,  so  classified,  quite  a  number  were  only  of  local  application, 
relating  to  terras  of  court,  &c.  Of  those  of  general  importance,  the  follow- 
ing include  the  majority  :  the  Esterly  Bill,  to  encourage  the  construc- 
tion of  railroads,  which  authorized  towns,  cities,  and  villages  to  take  stock 
in  railroads  through  them  to  the  extent  of  five  thousand  dollars  a  mile,  and 
issue  bonds  therefor;  to  encourage  the  manufacture  of  beet-sugar  and  the 
propagation  of  brook-trout,  by  exemption  from  taxation;  to  restore  the 
system  of  county  government  by  boards  composed  of  town  board  of  super- 
visors, senior  aldermen  in  cities,  and  presidents  of  villages;  putting  back 
into  the  normal-school  fund  twenty-five  per  cent  of  its  income  temporarily 
diverted  to  the  common-school  fund;  providing  for  the  education  of  soldiers' 
orphans  in  the  normal  schools ;  providing  for  a  geological  and  topographical 
survey  oi  the  South-western  lead-mines;  providing  for  the  election  and  clas- 
sification of  railroad  directors;  to  organize  the  twelfth  judicial  circuit;  to 
provid",  for  an  additional  institution  for  the  insane. 

Among  the  general  measures  which  failed  were,  amendments  to  the  con- 
stitution, so  as  to  strike  out  the  limitation  of  suffrage  to  males,  lengthening 
the  term,  and  increasing  the  number  of  judges,  X)i  the  Supreme  Court;  bills 
to  revise  and  so  amend  the  registry  law  as  to  have  the  first  registry  made 
by  town  and  city  clerks,  and  require  an  applicant  to  apply  in  writing;  for 
the  removal  of  the  capital;  to  establisli  a  uniform  freight-tariff  on  railroads, 
and  regulate  their  running  connections;  to  establish  a  uniform  series  of 
achoolbooks;  to  restore  the  death-penalty,  &c. 

Among  the  joint  resolutions  was  one  re-affirming  the  amendment  to  the 
constitution,  dispensing  with  grand  juries,  which  was  submitted  to  the  people 
in  the  fall  of  1870;  proposing  an  amendment  to  the  constitution  prohibiting 
action  by  the  legislature,  except  in  the  enactment  of  general  laws  on  sundry 
matters,  such  as  changing  names,  authorizing  minors  to  convey  real  estate, 
vacating  allej's,  extending  the  time  for  the  collection  of  taxes,  &c.,  which, 
if  adopted,  would  take  away  two-thirds  of  the  business  of  the  legislature; 
and  several  in  regard  to  land-grants  and  other  matters. 

One  of  the  measures  that  created  much  interest  was  the  Chippewa 
Dells  Improvement  Bills.     The  strife  was   between  the  interests  of  the 


\  J 


\ 


I   I 


i 


^1 

:*3 


'I 

m 


622 


BISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


city  of  Eau  Claire  and  Chippewa  Falls.  The  bill  was  killed  in  the  senate 
by  the  rulings  of  the  president  at  the  close  of  the  session. 

Hon.  A.  J.  Craig,  State  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  died  on  the 
3d  of  July,  of  consumption.  Gen.  Samuel  Fallows  was  appointed  by  the 
governor  to  fill  his  place. 

The  board  of  commissioners  appointed  by  the  governor  to  locate  a  site  for 
the  new  hospital  for  the  insane,  in  July  adopted,  subject  to  the  approval  of 
the  governor,  a  site  on  Lake  Winnebago,  four  miles  north  of  Oshkosh,  where 
a  station  had  been  established  by  the  Chicago  and  North-western  Railroad. 
The  legislature  authorized  the  appropriation  of  ten  thousand  dollars  for  the 
purchase  ;  and  the  property  obtained  is  about  three  hundred  acres  of  land. 
-By  the  provisions  of  the  act,  the  commissioners  were  authorized  to  obtain 
plans  for  the  buildings,  and  to  contract  for  the  immediate  erection  of  said 
hospital;  and  to  this  end  the  sum  of  a  hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand 
dollars  was  appropriated,  forty  thousand  dollars  to  be  expended  or  drawn 
from  the  State  treasury  in  tlie  year  1870. 

In  the  month  of  July,  bids  were  opened  for  the  erection  and  completion  of 
the  Female  College  building  on  the  State  University  grounds.  The  contract 
was  awarded  to  lion.  John  Fellenz  of  Milwaukee  for  forty-one  thousand  six 
hundred  dollars.  The  amount  appropriated  for  the  same  was  fifty  thousand 
dollars.  The  governmental  census  taken  this  year  (1870)  shows  the  popula- 
tion of  Wisconsin  to  bo  1,054,070,  an  increase,  since  1800,  of  278,789. 

The  following  were  the  names  of  congressmen  nominated  by  the  Demo- 
cratic and  Republican  parties.  Democratic,  Alexander  Mitchell,  A.  G. 
Cook,  John  Strachan,  Charles  A.  Eldredge,  Joseph  Stringham,  and  Alexan- 
der Jleggett.  Republican,  William  Penn  Lyon,  G.  W.  Hiizleton,  J.  Allen 
Barber,  J.  A.  Watrous,  Philetus  Sawyer,  J.  M.  Rusk.  At  the  elections  in 
November  of  1870,  Alexander  Mitchell  and  Charles  A.  Eldredge,  Demo- 
crats, and  G.  AV.  Ilazleton,  .1.  Allen  Barber,  Philetus  Sawyer,  and  Jeremiah 
M.  Rusk,  Republicans,  were  elected  members  of  Congress. 

The  whole  number  of  votes  polled  for  congressmen  was  147,369.  Taking 
this  as  a  biisis,  the  State  went  Republican  by  0,117  majority.  For  superin- 
tendent of  public  instruction,  Samuel  Fallows  received  a  majority  of  9,020 
over  his  opponent,  H.  B.  Dale.  The  whole  vote  on  superintendent  was 
146,8;52. 

On  the  question  of  changing  the  constitution  in  relation  to  the  grand  jury 
system,  but  03,479  votes  were  cast;  and  the  majority  against  it  was  27,829. 


CHAPTER  LXI. 

THIRD  ADMINISTRATION  OF  GOV.  FAIRCHILD. 

Kvents  of  1871  —  Cyclopredia  of  Legislation  —  Statistics  —Election  Contest  —Elec- 
tion of  Washburn  for  Governor — Defeat  of  Doollttle. 


The  twenty-fourth  session  of  the  State  legislature  convened  on  the  11th 
of  January,  1871,  and  adjourned  March  25,  after  a  session  of  seventy-four 
days.  Lieut.-Gov.  T.  C.  Pound  took  his  seat  as  president  of  the  senate; 
and  the  senate,  electing  O.  R.  Smitii  as  chief  clerk,  and  W.  W.  Baker  as 
sergeant-at-arnis,  organized  that  body.  In  the  assembly,  William  E.  Smith 
was  elected  speaker,  E.  W.  Young  chief  clerk  and  Samuel  S.  Fifield  ser- 
geant-at-arnis.  The  political  complexion  of  the  legislature  was,  Republi- 
cans nineteen,  Democrats  fourteen;  Assembly,  Republicans  fifty-seven, 
Democrats  forty-one,  Independents  two. 

On  the  12tli  of  January,  the  governor  met  the  legislature  in  joint  conven- 
tion, and  delivered  his  annual  message.  He  remarked  at  the  opening,  thiit 
"our  State  polity  is  so  wisely  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the  people,  and  so 
favorable  to  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  Commonwealth,  as  to  require 
but  few  changes  at  the  hands  of  the  legislature,  and  tliose  ratlier  of  detail 
than  of  system." 

Hon.  Byron  Paine,  associate  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  died  on  tho 
13th  of  January,  1871.  A  biographical  sketch  of  this  distinguislied  jurist 
will  be  given  hereafter. 

The  governor,  a  few  days  after,  appointed  Hon.  William  P.  Lyon  of 
Racine  to  fill  the  vacancy  until  the  general  election  in  the  spring,  when  a 
justice  wiis  elected  by  the  vote  of  tiie  people. 

Tlie  building-commissioners  of  the  Northern  Wisconsin  Hospital  for  the 
Insane  met  in  February,  1871,  and  examined  the  bids  for  the  erection  of 
the  asylum.  Seventeen  proposals  were  put  in;  and  the  contract  was 
awarded  to  James  Reynolds  of  Milwaukee  aa  the  lowest  bidder,  for 
81-40,581. 

The  session  of  the  legislature  adjourned  on  the  25th  of  March  was  the 
longest  that  had  been  held  after  the  change  from  tho  per  diem  to  the  salary 
system  of  paying  members;  and  was  remarkable  in  one  respect,  viz.,  that  it 
passed  without  any  political  contest  or  partisan  debate.     Notwithstanding 

623 


624 


inSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


tho  ahgorbinj;  oxcitomeut  on  onn  or  two  qupstioiis,  which  will  horeaftor  be 
referred  to,  all  incasiiri's  that  havn  \wn\  [iri'.spiitod  rccrivcd  considi'ratn 
attention;  and  all  laws  of  general  iiniiortaiice  were  carefully  Hcrutiniz:'d  by 
committees  and  the  members  at  large.  All  local  measures  received  thorou'^jh 
examination,  and  there  wiis  little  mischievous  special  legislation.  Of  tho 
business  of  the  session,  in  the  senate  tiiere  were  tliree  hinulred  and  seven 
bills  presented,  twelve  memorial.s  to  C'i>nsrres.s,  ei;^hteen  joint  resolutions, 
and  tliirty-three  resolutions;  and,  in  the  assenil)ly,  seven  hundreil  and  sixty 
bills,  f(Uirteen  memorials,  thirty-fUfjht  joint  resolutions,  and  forty-si.x  reso- 
lutions; and,  of  tiie  acts  that  passed  and  became  laws,  one  hundred  and 
sixty-nine  were  general,  live  liuiulred  and  one  private  and  local,  fourteen 
memorials,  twenty-four  appropriation."!,  and  two  joint  resolutions. 

'•  The  Madison  State  Journal  "  of  March  27  gives  a  full  account  of  the 
business  of  this  session  as  follows: — 

"Many  of  the  'Reneral  laws'  nro  not  of  ponernl  hiterest;  some  twpntv-fivo  or 
tliirty,  fur  iintaneo,  relnthii;  to  terms  of  circuit  eoiirt^  and  plionoiirapliie  rei)i>rters 
therefor.  Joint  resohitious  wore  ndopteil  to  aiiieml  tho  constitution  re-<triiting 
local  le^jislnlion,  wliicli  was  twice  rejected  liy  tlie  senate,  Imt  (inally  concurred  in, 
to  be  siiliinitted  to  tho  people,  and  wliicli  proliiliits  special  or  private  laws;  for 
cliaUKinjj  names,  or  cnnstitutin(»  lioirs-at-law;  layin;{  out  Slate  roads  all  witliiu 
one  county;  autlioviziu);  ferries  wholly  within  the  State;  providing  fur  sale  of 
property  of  minors;  localinjj  connty-seats;  assossin;;  or  collecting  taxes,  or 
extending  the  timo  for  collection;  gfantinK  corjiorato  powers,  except  to  <itios; 
providing  for  any  spci^lal  apportiomnent  of  the  school-finid;  in(M)rporating  the 
charter  of  any  town  or  villaj;o;  also  to  increase  the  number  of  jii(l(;ei  of  tlie 
Supreme  Court  to  live,  and  the  lennth  of  their  term  to  ten  years,  which  lias  yet  to 
be  approved  by  another  leLji^lature,  and  then  be  submitted  tn  tho  people.  Among 
the  laws  of  general  importance  were  those  authori/.iiig  the  State  lanil-connnis- 
sioiuM's  to  loan  the  State  trust-furuls  to  school-ilistricts;  organizing  a  State  board 
of  cliarilie<  and  reforms  of  live  members,  >vitli  secretary  at  a  salary  of  twelve 
Ininilred  dollars,  to  have  oversight  of  tho  State  charitable,  penal,  and  reformatory 
iuHtirution*,  and  poor-houseH  and  jails,  their  duties  simply  being  a  boanl  of 
Inspection,  not  control;  proviiling  for  the  trial  of  criminal  offences  on  informa- 
tion, without  the  intervention  of  a  grand  jury  (a  very  carefully-perfected  meas- 
ure); apportioning  the  State  into  senate  and  assembly  districts;  creating  the 
elective  olllco  of  State  Commissioner  of  Innnigration ;  anil  the  following,  —  to  pro- 
tect the  public  against  unauthorized  insurance-agents;  reqturing  the  Constitution 
of  tlio  United  States  and  Wisconsin  to  be  la\ight  in  schools;  to  provide  for  hold- 
ing normal  in-itilutes  in  this  State;  to  regulate  tbo  sale  of  patent-rights,  and  to 
prevent  frauds  therein;  to  pmtei't  and  encourage  the  raising  of  slieep,  and  dis- 
courage tho  niultiplieafion  of  dogs,  by  authorizing  county  supervisors  to  impose 
n  tax  on  the  latter;  authorizing  court  connnissiiuiers  to  solennnzo  marriages;  to 
further  provide  for  the  duties  of  county  supervisors,  antliorizing  the  chairman, 
clerk,  or  a  committee,  to  porform  duties  now  reijuiring  action  of  the  whole 
boanl;  to  provide  for  weights  and  measures  in  the  several  t(jwns  in  thin  State; 
requiring  hotel-keepers  to  proviile  means  of  escape  from  lire:  providing  that 
usury  shall  work  a  forfeiture  of  interest  only,  not  jirincipal;  to  provide  for  the 
povernmeut  of  the  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane  by  a  board  of  three,  instead  of 
fifteen,  and  recpdring  two  dollars  a  week  to  bo  paid  by  friends  or  localities  for 
board  and  clothing;  to  consolidate  and  amend  the  acts  for  the  government  of  the 
State-prison;  to  simplify  proceedings  for  the  recovery  of  real  estate;  to  further 


""'~'^iiiir»  ~""TMiifif 


02G 


n  I  STORY  OF   WTSCOySTN. 


provide  for  instniclioii  In  n<iriiml  sclinol  of  HoMlorH'  orplinni;  rlinnKiii};  tlio  odl- 
rlal  (lesi^imtiiiii  of  cIimIc  of  lioaril  of  siippr\Hor<  to  comity  rlerk;  niilliori/iii'^ 
bonnlM  (if  rt'jjiitry  to  put  on  iho  r(\^i  itry-list  the  iiaiiics  of  persons  known  to  tlicm 
to  lio  voters;  rcpciilin'^  tlm  Inw  proliiliiiin'^  pliysichms  prni'tisini^  willioiit  a  n^jj"- 
l;ir  iliplotnii;  to  sccnro  a  proper  gnanliansliip  for  eliiMrou  ilischarfjocl  from  tlio 
8ol(liers'  Orplmns'  Homo. 

"  Tlin  appropriations,  mainly  for  tlio  Riafo  iliarltalilo  1  i~i  .ntlons,  wcro  largo, 
Imt,  dill  not  HO  niiii'li  e^;(■('ed  tlie  revenues  of  tlio  State  Imt  that  a  Slato  tax 
of  tlireo  Imiidrcd  and  forty  tlmnsand  dollars,  wliiidi  is  ono  hundred  and  forty 
thousand  dollarH  loss  than  lost  year,  was  doomed  sullleiont  to  moot  all  oxpeiuli- 
Inres. 

"The  principal  appropriations  are  as  follows:  for  the  new  Insane  Hospital  at 
Oshkosh.  SI-'li,'i<K);  Stale-prison,  Sil!',!ll<l;  Insane  Hospital  at  Madison,  .S!ll.','JOO; 
Bta'o  Ileform  School,  S'l.'l.'NlO;  Soldiers'  Orphans'  Homo,  81(1,0(10;  Institute  for  tho 
Deaf  and  Dunih,  .S.'J8,:i()(l;  Institute  for  the  Mlind,  S-'>-''i7:i;  for  the  old  I'roudlit 
prlntin,' I'hiiiii,  Sl-.'MiO;  for  the  protection  of  Superior  Ilarlior,  .s.'i.'KM);  for  tlio  col- 
lection  of  f.tate  war  ilaiiiis  apdnst  Die  (ieueral  (lovcrnmont,  !?-,7-'l;  for  the  relief 
(if  certain  citizens  of  Ozanlico  County,  who  paid  tlio  Stfito  for  land  which 
liplou'.'ed  to  tho  United  States,  S2,,'i.')0;  for  tho  governor's  ce.iingont  fund,  S'J,COO; 
for  llie  widow  of  .Iiisiico  I'aine,  $1,0(10. 

"Lookini,' over  tlie  titles  of  the  private  and  local  laws,  ■• .  '.„  I  that  ahnnt  one 
hundred  of  them  aro  acts  of  ini'orporalions  of  all  iiumner  of  assoiiations;  lifly- 
ei;,'ht  are  railroad -charters,  or  amendments  thereto,  or  relative  to  aid  to  railroads; 
forly-tliree  extend  the  time  for  colleiMiii';  taxes;  forty  ai'o  villaKe,  and  thirty  are 
city  cliarlers  or  aniendnieuts  thereto;  si.\teen  relate  to  changes  of  uaincs,  of  mak- 
ing of  heirs,  &c. ;  tho  rest  relate  to  a  variety  of  subjects  too  uutnorous  to  men- 
tion. 

"Among  the  measures  before  tho  legislature  which  fiiiled  to  bccomo  laws,  the 
bill  to  incorporate  the  f'hippewa  Improvement  and  Itooming  Conipany,  —  which 
passed  liotli  houses  by  close  votes,  hut  was  killed  by  tho  governor's  veto,  —  excited 
more  interest  tlian  any  other  matter,  was  more  or  less  complicated  with  nearly 
all  other  Icgi-lnliou,  especially  with  the  Apportionment  liiii,  and  its  eonsiileraliou 
Boniewliat  protracted  tho  .session.  Amendments  to  the  conslitullun  wero 
defeated,  striking  out  tho  troublesome  pi'ovision  reciniring  uniformity  of  county 
government,  providing  for  biennial  sessiimi  of  tho  legislature;  a  new  system  of 
di. it rictiiig  our  State  into  senate  and  assembly  districts,  and  minority  representa- 
tion; bills  for  a  commission  to  propose  amendments  to  the  constitution;  provid- 
ing for  a  revision  of  the  statutes;  educational  bills  for  a  State  board  of  education, 
for  county  higli  schools,  luid  town  superintendents,  and  compulsory  atlendanco 
on  scliool-;  proposing  iv  removal  of  tho  capital  (barely  introduced,  but  not  urged); 
repealing  tho  registry  law;  further  restraining  tho  sale  of  liiinor;  authorizing 
female  tax-payers  lo  vote  at  school-meetings;  giving  tho  railroad  license-money 
to  localities  where  railroad  property  lies,  instead  of  to  tho  State  treasury;  provid- 
ing a  coal-vault  at  the  Capitol;  to  establish  an  institution  for  tho  feeble-minded; 
to  restore  tlie  district  supervisor  Mvsteni  of  couut,y  government;  to  make  the  sale 
of  liquor  to  a  drunken  man  forfeit  a  license;  to  make  tho  verdict  of  eleven  agree- 
ing jurors  effective;  joint  resolution  lo  amend  tho  constitution  and  liill  limiting 
tho  power  of  municipalities  to  contract  ilolit  to  (Ivo  per  cent  of  the  assessed  valu- 
ation; providing  for  tract-indexes  in  the  different  counties;  to  make  the  receiving 
of  a  railroad-pass  by  a  juror  or  n  commissioner  to  award  damages,  from  a  niilroad 
I'ompany  interesfoil,a  felony;  making  the  term  of  town  clerks  three  years;  mak- 
ing tho  derriuuling  of  hotel-keepers  by  tlieir  guests  a  penal  offence;  rei]uiriiig  a 
licen.'.e  from  the  clerk  of  tlio  circuit  court  as  a  prereipiiiito  to  marriage;  limiting 
tho  fees  of  the  eounuLssioners  of  school  and  luiivorsity  lauds;  giving  gravudtoue 


rrrsTonr  of  wrscoxsrif. 


G27 


TiinkorM  a  lion  tliernoii;  iirnviiliii;;  for  an  adillliduiil  pnlilicfitiim  nf  the  laws  In 
'Tlid  Sfiiili-inii  Di'iiiricnit ;'  tn  roppul  (ho  ivct  fm-  tlio  mirviiy  of  tlio  loa(l■lli^t^l(!t; 
to  pay  two  IhniHand  ihilhirH  fur  llui  sito  (if  tho  Sfafo-prUon;  making  appmprla- 
tinns  ti)  thn  MiluiiuUno  chariialih- insiitiitiuiis;  niimcruiis  hills  as  to  tlio  fees  anil 
jurisdicllon  nf  jiisticps  of  the  jicnvo. 

"  Tlio  c'venicr  has  vctoeil  lull  fc^w  hills  diirini;  the  session;  anil  all  tho  vetoes 
have  hecn  sustaiiiod.  The  aits  thus  made  of  none  effort  were  to  t;ive  all  swanip- 
laiids.  and  the  proceeds  of  all  s(dd  In  the  town  of  Iloyalton,  for  draina.i;e  purpose* 
therein;  to  vacate  part  of  the  jilats  of  tlie  lity  of  IIiid<on  and  the  villajjo  "f  "o 
Boto,  fit.  Croix  County,  and  the  (;hippewa  Dells  I'.ill.  Tho  Rovernor  also  with- 
held his  approval  from  two  hills  presented  to  him  on  tlie  last  day, — one  reponl- 
In'i  the  law  re(iiiiriiii»  notaries  to  have  a  »(!al,  tho  other  ainendiiit;  tho  cliarter  of 
tho  Meehunies' Jlntnal  Insiirauco  Company  in  a  eontradietory  nianuor  to  a  hill 
jnst  provU.usly  passed," 


At  tho  election  in  April  for  associato  justice,  William  P.  Lyou  received 
69,587  votes,  anil  I).  J.  Pnlliug  58.119  votes.  Tlio  former  was  elected  for 
six  years. 

Tiio  regents  of  tho  University  of  Wisconsin  elected  Rev.  J.  II.  Twomhly, 
LL.D.,  of  IJoston,  Mass.,  presiilent  of  tlie  uiiivf-rsity.  Dr,  Twoi-bjy 
accepted  the  apiiointnient,  and  soon  after  entered  t.|)on  thr.  duties  of  his 
office.  The  Ui'inihlican  State  Convention  for  the  iioiniiiatio.i  of  .State  offi- 
cers met  at  Madison  on  tho  liOth  of  August,  18G1,  Hon.  George  C.  Ilazleton, 
president. 

On  an  informal  ballot  for  governor,  20 1  votes  woro  polled,  of  which  num- 
ber C.  C.  Washburn  received  112,  W.  E.  Smith  111,  and  11  scattering. 
Mr.  Washliiini  was  declared  uiianiiiiously  nominated.  For  lieut;'iiant- 
govenior,  M.  II.  PetUlt  received  181  votes,  J.  II.  llountree  82,  J.  K.  Proud- 
fit  10,  J.  S.  Curtis  21.  Jlr.  Pettitt  was  declared  nominated.  Llewellyn 
Br(>ese  was  unanimously  nominated  for  secretary  of  8tat(!,  and  Ilenry  Uaetz 
st:ite  treasurer,  without  ballot.  Samuel  Fallows  in  tho  s.amo  manner  re- 
ceived the  nomination  of  su)ierintendent  of  public  instruction.  For  attor- 
ney-general, .S.  S.  Parlow  received  Kill  votes,  John  A.  Bennet  80,  and 
O.  I!.  Thomas  13.  Mr.  Parlow  was  nominated  ;  and  (!.  F.  Wheeler  for 
state-jirison  commissioner.  O.  C.  Johnson  was  nominated  emigrant  eom- 
niis.«ioner  by  acclamation. 

The  Democratic  State  Convention  met  at  Madison,  Aug.  23,  1871,  II.  L. 
Palmer,  president.  On  a  vote  being  t.'iken  for  governor,  James  II.  Doo- 
littlo  received  123  votes,  and  was  unaniinously  nominated.  For  lieutenant- 
governor,  John  A.  Rico  received  97  votes,  ('•.  W.  Kroupsoff  19  votes,  and 
30  scattering.  Mr.  Rice's  nomination  was  mado  unanimous,  and  that 
of  Jlilton  Montgomery  for  secretary  of  state.  For  state  treasurer,  Anton 
Klauss  received  103  votes,  and  was  nominated.  For  attorney-general, 
E.  S.  Bragg  received  80  votes,  and  A.  J.  Ri-iiig  40  votes.  Mr.  liragg's 
nomination  was  made  unanimous.  L.  E.  Johnson  w.is  nominated  by  ac- 
clamation for  state-prison  commissioner.  For  superintendent  of  public 
instruction,  AVarren  D.  Parker  received  118  votes,  and  F.  Regenfus  28 
Votes.     Mr.   Parker  was  uuauimously  nominated.      For  commissioner  of 


*«^*. 


628 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


emigration,  Jacob  Boden  received  120  votes,  J.  Seaman  22  votes,  and  6 
Vi  -OS  scattering.     Mr.  Boden's  nomination  was  declared  unanimous. 

The  montli  of  Ocl  -ber  t'lis  year  was  a  disa.strous  one.  The  great  fire  in 
Chicago  toolc  place,  an  ■"  i^'m  that  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  Wisconsin. 
Some  six  c  unties  were  ai  vastated.  Owing  to  long-continued  drought,  every 
thing  was  like  tinder,  !•  J  burned  with  immense  rapidity.  Something  like 
one  thousand  persons  are  supi)osed  to  have  lost  their  lives.  At  Peshtego, 
four  hundred  and  seventy  dead  bodies  were  found.  Large  amoimts  of  lum- 
ber were  destroyed,  and  heavy  forests  bunit.  Destructive  fires  took  place, 
also,  in  North-western  Wisconsin,  in  the  Black  River  pineries.  The  people 
in  the  southern  and  central  parts  of  the  State,  with  their  accustomed 
liberality,  sent  large  supplies  of  food  and  clothing  to  the  destitute;  and 
every  effort  was  made  by  the  humane  and  charitable  to  alleviate  the  suf- 
ferings and  privations  of  those  demanding  their  sympathy. 

At  the  elections  in  November,  the  whole  Republican  ticket  was  elected. 
For  governor,  C.  C.  Washburn  received  78,301  votes,  and  James  R.  Doo- 
little  68,910  :  the  other  Republican  candidates  received  majorities  ranging 
from  8,000  to  10,000. 


CHAPTER  LXII. 


ADMETISTBATION  OF  GOV.  WASHBTJEN. 


Eventa  of  1872— An  Account  of  the  Great  Fires  of  1871- 
Election  —  Statistics. 


■Legislation,  &o. — 


On  the  1st  of  January,  1872,  Hon.  Lucius  Fairchild,  ■who  had  for  six 
years  preceding  that  date  occi'pied  the  position  of  governor  of  the  State, 
retired,  and  was  succeeded  by  Hon.  C.  0.  Washburn.  Of  the  administration 
of  Gov.  Fairchild,  it  was  said,  — 

"  Few  men  have  attained  the  full  honors  he  has  done  at  so  young  an  age ;  and 
it  is  rare,  indeed,  that  any  man  of  any  age  has  so  long  tilled  high  positions  with 
such  universal  satisfaction  to  the  people  as  he  ha  <  ;'one.  At  the  age  of  forty,  he 
retires  from  office,  having  held  the  highest  posi'.ion  within  the  gift  of  the  people 
of  his  adopted  State,  for  three  terms,  with  the  respect  of  his  fellow-citizens  of  all 
parties." 

A*,  eleven  o'clock  the  old  Stat3  officers  proceeded  to  the  residence  of  the 
governor  elect,  where  was  also  the  lieutenant-governor  elect,  Hon.  M.  H. 
Pettitt.  The  party  proceeded  by  sleighs  to  the  State  Capitol,  and  at  twelve 
o'clock  entered  the  assembly  chamber,  where  were  ooiigregated  a  largo 
number  of  persons  anxious  to  witness  the  simple  yet  imposing  ceremony. 
The  officers  elect  were  seated  in  front  of  the  speaker's  platform.  Gen. 
Washburn  then  stepped  forward;  and  the  oath  of  office  was  administered  to 
him  by  Chief  Ju?  ice  Dixon  in  a  very  impressive  manner.  The  other  State 
officers  then  steppt  I  forward,  one  at  a  time;  and  each  took  the  oath  to  sup- 
port the  constitution,  and  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  respective  office 
to  which  he  was  elected.  The  ceremony  over,  the  officers  proceeded  to  the 
Executive  chamber,  where  Gov.  Washburn  was  duly  conducted  to  the  chair 
by  his  predecessor,  and  the  party  dispersed. 

The  twenty-fifth  session  of  the  legislature  commenced  on  the  10th  of 
January,  1872,  and  adjourned  on  the  27tl-  of  March,  after  a  session  of 
Boventy-seven  days.  In  the  senate,  Hon.  M.  H.  Pettitt  of  Kenosha,  lieu- 
tenant-governor, took  his  seat  aa  president.  J.  H.  Waggoner  was  elected 
chief  clerk,  and  W.  D.  Hoard  sergeant-at-arms.  In  the  assembly,  Daniel 
Hall  was  chosen  speaker,  E.  W.  Young  chief  clerk,  and  S.  S.  Fifield  ser- 
geant-al  arms. 

629 


630 


niSTORT  OF    WISCONSrN. 


Tlio  spnato,  was  compnsod  of  twniity-thrpo  Ucpublioaiis,  nine  Domocrats, 
and  ono  Independent.  lu  the  assoml)ly  wei-e  fifty-eight  llepuljlicans,  tliirty- 
eiglit  Democrats,  and  four  Independent. 

At  two  o'eloek,  p.m.,  of  the  11th  of  .January,  Gov.  AVashburn  delivered 
liis  first  annual  niessa.u^e  to  the  two  luiuses  of  t!ie  leQ-Jslaturi!  in  joint  conven- 
tion. It  was  a  long  nie.ssage,  and  .set  fonli  in  detail  the  general  condition  of 
State  affairs. 

The  general  condition  of  the  .State  for  tlie  proviou.s  year  was  referred  to  as 
having  been  very  pro.sperous,  blessed  with  abundant  returns  of  agriculture, 
and  free  from  pestilence  and  famine. 

Th(!  recent  great  confla'^rations  were  referred  to  in  ajipropriate  terms; 
and  measures  to  afford  relief  were  suggested.  A  thorough  gi^ological  sur- 
vey of  the  State  was  highly  recommended,  lleference  was  made  to  the 
Board  of  State  Charities,  ami  their  report  commended  to  favorable  consid- 
eration. The  condition  of  all  the  State  institutions  was  fully  set  forth,  and 
commended  to  *he  attention  of  the  legislature. 

In  national  matters,  the  governor  fully  sustained  the  national  adminis- 
tration, lie  recommended  the  Civil  Service  Ueform,  a  return  to  specie 
payments  at  an  early  day,  and  the  adoption  of  a  government  telegraph  sys- 
tem in  connection  with  our  postal  system.  His  remarks  on  those  sulijects 
■^vere  extended,  and  pre.sented  the  matters  in  a  clear  style,  giving  evidence 
that  they  had  been  thoroughly  considered. 

The  gfovernor  spoke  of  the  great  fires  of  1871  as  follows  :  — 

"During  the  last  days  of  Septonibcr,  and  the  first  days  of  Oitolier,  the  north- 
cist  part  of  the  !>lato  was  overrun  liv  extensive  tires,  destroying  nnii'li  propei'ty, 
and  causin;;  (;re;it  <listress,  Imt  nntliin;;  eonipaiccl  to  wliiit  was  sonn  to  follow; 
for,  on  theHtli  and  '.)th  of  Oetolier,  a  conllauration,  unparalleled  in  tlio  world's 
history,  swept  over  portions  of  tlio  eoiunies  of  Oconto,  I'rown,  Door,  and  Ke- 
waunee, eonsMnuM^;  all  liefore  it. 

"  In  vain  the  uidiappy  jieoplo  soui;lit  refii;;o  in  open  lieMs,  swamps,  lakes,  and 
rivers.  The  lire-lilast,  which  seemed  to  come  down  from  heaven,  was  so  suihlen 
and  npp.allini,',  that  many  helieved  th.it  the  lonjj-foretojd  destrui'tinn  of  the 
world  was  at  hand.  l?y  this  enullauniiion,  it  is  estimat(Ml  that  over  a  thousand 
persons  lost  their  lives;  and  iiiai\y  others  were  horrililv  liurnod  and  maimed,  and 
doomed  to  drag  out  a  life  inoia  intolerable  than  death  itself.  As  soon  as  intelli- 
gence of  this  };reat  calamity  reached  the  E.\eiulivo  ollice,  my  predecessor,  willi 
tliat  promptitnile  and  hiimaMity  which  were  to  ho  expeited  from  him,  proceeded 
at  once  to  the  scene  of  the  disasicr,  to  lend  such  aid  is  w^is  within  his  jioxver. 
Appealing;  at  once  to  the  charitable  for  relief  to  the  snflerers,  the  Rieat  lieart  of 
the  country  responded  with  a  ;;emM'osity  that  calls  fur  the  warmest  uralitmlo. 

"The  ]ieoplc  of  the  State,  In  the  most  prompt  and  liberal  nnuuier,  sent  forward 
money,  idotliinK.  anil  supplies  for  their  sidTeriuii  fellow-citi/ens.  The  people  of 
other  Stales  were  nnt  less  prompt  anil  neuerous  in  their  liberal  offerinjis;  and 
even  Canada  and  Europe  lieard  our  cry,  and  manifested  their  .sympathy  with  a 
liberal  hand. 

"  I  ]ilace  before  the  lei;islatnro  the  very  full  and  satisfactory  report  of  my  pred- 
ecessor, detailinj;  his  actiiin  in  regard  to  the  sulTerers,  The  responsibility  takf.U 
by  him  and  the  stale  treasmcr  ciinnot  fail  to  meet  your  .ipproval,  Tlie  in';:ency 
of  the  case  fully  just'lies  their  action.  It  cannot  bu  tugurdud  as  u  prucudeut;  uud 
•uch  an  occasiuu  U  not  likely  tu  again  arise. 


C32 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


"  The  total  amonnt  of  money  received  nt  the  Executive  ofBce  for  the  heneflt 
of  tlie  suffevins,  to  Jan.  1,  1«72  was  Slli<>,7«!).i)fi,  of  whicli  snm  840,WtO  was  trans- 
iiiitteil  to  the  Relief  Committee  at  Green  Bay;  gHOO.yiii  was  expended  for  sup- 
plies; SW7..')7,  for  sundry  expensei,  leavin;;,  unexpended,  Sm  3!'7.23.  for  which  I 
hold  the  receipt  of  Hon.  Henry  Haetz,  state  treasurer,  for  S^3,r)3!).0o,  and  a  cerll- 
ticate  of  deposit  in  tlie  State  Bank  at  Ma<lison  for  S77,8C8.18. 

"  In  addition  to  tlie  fore.^oin^  contril)utions  inmoney,  larj^e  amounts  of  clothing 
and  provisions  h.ive  heeu  received  throiijjli  the  Executive  oillce;  and  It  is  under- 
stood that  larfie  ivmonntH  of  money,  clothing,  and  supplies,  have  also  heen  cou- 
trihuted  tliroiiKh  the  Milwaukee  and  Greeri  Bay  lielief  Conuuittees.  It  is  rec- 
uniinended  that  a  joint  relief  connnittee,  <'oiisistinK  of  one  meralier  of  the  senate, 
and  two  of  the  assembly,  be  constituted  at  an  early  day,  with  authority  to  pro- 
ceed at  once  to  the  'Imnit  district,'  and  investigate  the  condition  of  the  people 
there,  and  confer  with  the  relief  committees  of  Green  Bay  and  Milwaukee,  and 
ascertain  what  nnioiint  of  relief  will  be  required  to  place  them  in  a  comfortable 
condition,  and  when  they  can  bo  self-sustaining;  anil  I  also  ask  that  you  consti- 
lule  some  authority  throuj^h  which  the  amount  now  subject  to  my  order  may  be 
BO  di.sposed  of  as  to  give  the  most  relief,  and  heat  meet  the  wishes  of  the  con- 
tributors " 


After  a  spssion  of  snvonty-six  days,  tlio  lotrislature  of  1872  finislied  its 
work,  and  adjourned,  after  piviiig'  ainplo  time  for  tliO  enrolment  of  all  bills, 
and  their  examination  by  tin;  governor  before  signature.  Few  of  its  prede- 
cessors have  embraced  an  equal  number  of  men  ready  in  debate,  botii  among 
those  well  known  in  the  legislative  halls,  and  those  for  whom  this  was  the 
first  rxix-rience  «s  law-makers.  The  work  of  the  session  was  peculiarly 
dillicult,  owing  to  the  many  general  laws  which  the  constitutional  amend- 
ment, prohibiting  a  large  class  of  sjtecial  legislation,  made  necessary.  Wlien 
the  legislature  met,  there  were  many  open  rpiestions  as  to  the  construction 
of  that  amendment;  and  it  was  some  time  before  it  cotdd  be  detsrmined  what 
wnp  rc.julred  to  be  done,  or  how  to  do  it.  The  committee  on  general  laws, 
after  careful  dehberation,  rejwrted  such  bills,  as,  with  but  little  change,  be- 
came laws  which  wore  suited  to  the  objects  for  which  they  were  framed. 
The  apportionment  of  the  State  into  congressional  districts  was  another 
perplexing  task  devolving  on  this  legislature;  and  although  almost  anyone 
could  suggest  a  change  for  the  bettar,  in  some  respects,  considered  by  them- 
selves, as  a  whole,  it  is,  perhaps,  a.s  satisfactory  as  any  arrangemiMit  that 
could  have  been  made  under  the  circumstances.  Tlie  framing  and  passage 
of  a  1)111  that  should  meet  the  pop\dar  demand  for  a  law  to  prevent  the  evils  of 
drunkenness,  after  much  consultation  and  study,  has  been  met  by  "  IJill 
No.  7  A,"  making  liijuor-sellers  responsible;  the  sliarp  contest  on  which  was 
led  by  Mr.  (rraham  of  Rock  County,  the  father  of  the  bill,  with  able  allies. 
This  bill  was  the  cause  of  much  discussion,  not  only  in,  but  out  of,  tho  legis- 
lature.    The  law  was  enacted  after  a  hard  struggle. 

In  the  senate  one  hundred  and  eighty  bills  were  introduced,  thirty-one 
joint  resolutions,  and  two  hundred  and  ten  petitions  received;  and,  in  tho 
assembly,  live  hiuidreil  and  twenty-nine  bills,  thirty  memorials,  forty-eight 
jon«t  resolutiims,  ninety-four  resolutions,  and  five  hundred  and  eleven  peti- 
lion^.     There  were  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  general  laws  enacted,  one 


nrsTORT  OF  wiscONsm. 


hundred  and  forty-one  private  and  local  laws,  twenty-six  memorials,  forty 
appropriations,  and  eleven  resolutions. 

An  amendment  to  tlie  constitution,  proposed  by  the  last  legislature,  was 
agi'eod  to,  and  provision  made  for  submitting  it  to  the  people  to  increase 
the  number  of  supreme-court  judges  from  three  to  five;  and  an  amendment 
proposed,  limiting  the  power  of  municipalities  to  contract  debt  to  five  per 
cent  of  the  assessed  valuation. 

General  incorporation  laws  in  pursuance  of  the  constitutional  amendment 
were  passed,  providing  for  the  incorporation  of  railroad  companies,  villages, 
religious  societies,  for  manufacturing  and  other  purposes.  Other  more  im- 
portant laws  are,  to  regulate  granting  municipal  aid  to  railroads,  to  pro- 
vide for  locating  and  changing  county-seats,  to  exempt  private  property 
from  seizure  on  sale  to  pay  municipal  debts,  authorizing  cities  and  villages 
to  establish  free  public  libraries,  &c. 

The  waters  of  the  Chippewa  did  not  divert  the  cause  of  legislation,  or 
swell  to  such  an  angry  torrent  as  on  the  previous  year.  Two  questions  were 
only  brouglit  to  an  issue  affecting  it;  and  those  created  little  excitement, 
compared  with  last  year.  Tlie  Beef  Slough  Boom  Company  obtained 
certain  privileges  and  powor.s  under  a  general  law,  which  the  Eau  Claire 
interests  chiim  will  give  them  privileges  they  have  never  enjoyed  before. 
The  friends  of  the  Dells  Improvement  felicitate  themselves  that  there 
was  no  square  vote  against  their  measure;  while  tlie  Chippewa  Falls  people 
rejoice  that  it  was  not  carried,  and  that  a  general  law  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  its  purposes  was  defeated.  One-tenth  of  the  local  and  private  laws 
relate  to  the  city  of  Jlilwaukee;  there  are  also  a  large  number  for  the  repeal 
of  sundiy  railroad  charters  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State;  also  a  large 
number  of  city  charters,  and  amendments  thereto,  legahzing  acts,  and  for 
a  variety  of  minor  legislation,  which  is  not  inhibited.  But  three  acts  passed 
have  failed  to  receive  the  executive  approval,  —  one  to  give  the  Dells  Inves- 
tigating Committee  additional  powers,  and  others  of  less  inqwrtance. 

Among  the  measures  that  failed  to  become  laws  were  a  constitutional 
convention,  amendments  to  the  constitution  for  biennial  sessions,  minority 
representation,  raising  the  minimum  of  school  age  to  six  years,  repeal  of  the 
registry  law,  changing  the  system  of  county  government,  for  the  printing 
claims  of  Calkins  &  Proudfit  and  S.  I).  Carpenter. 

On  the  25th  of  May  a  contract  was  made  with  T.  Shimmins  and  William 
Landon  to  [mt  up  an  iron  fence  around  the  Capitol  S(iuare.  The  whole  ex- 
pense, under  the  contract,  was  827,495;  Mr.  Shimmins  to  furnish  the  stone 
and  mason  work,  at  ?i;3,000;  and  Mr.  Landon  the  iron,  at  $14,495. 

The  Republican  Convention  nominated  the  following  persons  as  presiden- 
tial electors,  AV.  E.  Cramer,  F.  Fleischer,  J.  S.  Nicklcs,  George  G.  Swain, 
0.  B.  Thoma.s,  F.  Ililgon,  E.  C.  McFetridge,  G.  E.  Iloskinton,  11.  Bunn, 
and  II.  D.  Barron.  The  Democratic  Convention  nominated  for  the  same 
officers,  Moiis.  Anderson,  J.  Black,  W.  Spooner,  A.  G.  Cook,  George  11. 
King.  S.  Kindskoff,  U.  II.  Ilotclikiss,  Anton  Klauss,  M.  Montgomery,  and 
M.  Wadleigh. 


C34 


niSTORY  OF   WISCOIVSIN. 


At  the  elocfuMi  in  Xovombcr,  tin-  foniiov  (IlciniMican)  received  ia,-),nl2, 
and  the  hitter  (Deiiioerutie)  sn, :'.!)(),  ami  8:lt  votes  scattering.  At  the  iiieet- 
iiig  (if  the  eli'etiiral  eollej^e.  the  ten  votes  n[  Wisconsin  were  cast  for  U.  S. 
Grant  for  Virsideiit,  and  Henry  Wilson  Vici'-I'resident. 

The  Iteimhlican  candidates  for  nienihers  of  ('on','ress  in  the  eiGjht  conijTes- 
sional  districts  were,  Charles  (l.  Williams,  (;.  W.  Hazleton,  J.  Allen  liarber, 
II.  Baet/.,  F.  C.  Winkler,  I'.  Sawyer,  J.  M.  Unsk.  and  A.  S.  McDill;  and 
the  Democratic  candidates,  I.  C.  Sloan,  (1.  15.  Smith.  A.  Warden,  Alex- 
ander Mitchell,  C.  A.  Eldredije,  M.  1'.  Lindsley,  Si  J.  Marston,  and  AVilliam 
Carson. 

At  the  same  election,  the  Republican  candidates  were  elected,  except  II. 
Baetz  and  F.  C.  Winkler;  and  A.  Mitchell  and  C.  A.  Eldredge,  Democrats, 
were  elected  in  their  places. 

The  election  for  members  of  the  lec;islaturc  gave  the  Republicans  twenty- 
one  members  of  the  senate,  two  Liberals,  and  ten  Democrats;  and  in  tho 
assembly,  sixty  Republicans,  thirty-six  Democrats,  and  four  Independents. 


CHAPTER  LXII. 

ADMINISTEATION  OF  GOV.  WASHBUBN. 

Events  of  1873  — Legislation  — Statistics  — Closing  Events  of  Gov.  Washburn'! 
Admiuistration  —  The  Election  of  1873  — Defeat  of  the  liepublican  Party. 


The  Twenty-sixth  session  of  the  State  legislature  convened  on  the 
eighth  day  of  January,  1873,  and  adjourned  March  20,  after  a  session  of 
twenty-two  days.  In  the  senate,  Hon.  M.  II.  Pettitt,  lieutenant-governor, 
was  president,  and  J.  H.  Waggoner  was  elected  as  chief  clerk,  and  Albert 
Emerson  aa  sergeant-at-arms. 

In  the  assembly,  Hon.  Henry  D.  Barron  of  Polk  County  was  elected 
speaker,  E.  W.  Young  chief  clerk,  and  O.  C.  Bissell  sergeant-at-anns. 

On  the  0th,  the  second  annual  message  of  Gov.  Washburn  was  delivered 
to  the  two  houses  of  the  legislature.  It  is  a  docjunent  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary interest,  and  is  above  the  common  standard  of  gubernatorial  produc- 
tions of  this  kind.  The  message  opens  with  a  brief  reference  to  the  abun- 
dant returns  from  agricultural  pursuits,  the  development  of  the  industries 
of  the  State,  the  advance  in  manufacturing,  the  rapid  extension  of  rail- 
ways, the  progress  of  education  as  being  eminently  satisfactory  dui'ing  the 
past  year. 

His  recommendations  in  regard  to  the  repeal  of  the  law  authorizing 
the  loan  of  the  school  and  university  funds  to  school-districts,  and  for 
the  revison  of  the  law  regulating  the  descent  of  property  in  case  a  husband 
dies  intestate  without  children,  commended  themselves  to  the  legislature, 
and  met  with  its  approval.  The  new  Liquor  Law,  he  thought,  had  not  been 
in  force  long  enough  to  have  been  fairly  tested  as  to  its  merits,  and  recom- 
mended further  legislation  to  secure  its  enforcement.  A  patriotic  reference 
was  made  to  the  great  Centennial  Exposition  proposed  to  be  held  at  Phila- 
delphia in  1870  ;  and  au  appropriation  was  suggested  to  the  consideration 
of  the  leprislature. 

On  tlie  subject  of  railroads,  the  message  set  forth  the  roads  that  had  been 
constructed  in  the  State  during  the  year  1872,  and  informed  the  people  that 
"  there  will  be  few  communities  that  have  not  railroad  facilities  at  no  great 
distance  from  them  "  when  the  various  lines  now  in  process  of  construc- 
tion should  be  completed.  His  views  set  forth  in  his  last  annu.il  message,  oa 
636 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


687 


the  general  subject  of  railroads  and  their  jnanagement,  remained  unchanged. 
He  claimi^d  tliat  "many  vast  and  overshadowing  corporations  in  tiie  United 
States  are  justly  a  source  of  alarm,"  and  tjiat  "the  legislature  cannot  scan 
too  closely  every  measure  that  should  come  before  it  which  proposed  to  give 
additional  rights  and  privileges  to  the  railways  of  the  State."  The  recom- 
mendation of  the  previous  year  for  a  Board  of  Railroad  Commissioners  was 
repeated.  He  also  recommended  that  the  "  granting  of  passes  to  the  class 
of  State  officials,  who,  through  their  public  office,  have  power  to  confer  or 
withhold  benefits  to  a  railroad  company,  be  prohibited." 

The  subjects  of  the  St.  Croix  Land  Grant,  the  River  Improvements,  the 
Harbor  of  Superior,  were  discussed  at  considerable  length ;  and  the  benefits 
that  would  accrue  from  these  improvements  were  fully  set  forth  in  the 
measage. 

The  governor  took  strong  ground  in  favor  of  the  adoption  of  the  Postal 
Telegraph  System  by  the  National  Government,  but  was  decidedly  opposed 
to  the  proposition  before  Congress,  "  which  contemplates  a  partnership  be- 
tween the  government  and  private  parties." 

The  necessity  for  cheaper  lines  of  transportation  was  dwelt  upon  ;  and  the 
great  enterprises  of  the  improvement  of  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  Rivers,  and 
the  Niagara  Ship  Canal,  strongly  commended  by  the  governor,  who  ex- 
pressed the  hope  that  the  General  Government  would  make  the  necessary 
appropriations  for  their  completion. 

The  message  was  very  favorably  noticed  by  the  leading  newspapers  of  the 
State,  without  regard  to  politics.  One  paper,  not  politically  a  friend,  said, 
"  If  Gov.  Washburn  is  not  a  great  statesman,  he  is  certainly  not  a  small 
politican." 

The  first  important  business  of  the  session  was  the  election  of  an  United 
States  .senator  to  fill  the  place  of  lion.  Timothy  O.  Howe,  wlioso  term  of 
office  expired  March  4,  1874.  On  the  22d  of  January,  the  two  houses  met 
in  joint  convention  for  the  purpose  of  comparing  the  journals  of  the  two 
houses,  relative  to  the  election  of  United  States  senator.  Hon.  II.  L. 
Eaton,  president  of  the  senate  pro  tern.,  called  the  convention  to  order;  and 
the  action  of  each  house  was  read  by  its  chief  clerk.  In  the  senate,  Timo- 
thy O.  Howe  received  twenty-two  votes,  and  Henry  L.  Palmer  nine  votes. 
In  the  assembly,  Mr.  Howe  received  sixty-one  votes,  and  Mr.  Palmer  thirty- 
five  votes.  The  president  then  announced  that  lion.  T.  O.  Howe  was 
elected  United  States  senator  for  the  term  of  six  years  from  the  4th  of 
March,  1874;  after  which  the  convention  adjourned. 

The  bills  before  the  legislature  which  occupied  the  attention  of  the  mem- 
bers in  preference  to  many  othei-s  were  the  land-grant  bills,  of  which  there 
■were  a  number.  One  was  to  confer  the  grant  of  the  St.  Croix  Company  to 
the  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railroad  Company:  others  on  t)ie  Northern 
Wisconsin  Road,  on  the  Chicago  and  Northern  Pacific  Air  Line  Road,  on 
the  Milwaukee  and  Nortliem  Road,  the  Prescott  River  Falls  and  Northern 
Road;  also  the  bill  to  authorize  the  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railroad  tc 
erect  a  bridge  across  the  Mississippi  at  La  Crosse.     This  last  bill  occupied 


638 


iiisTonr  OF  wrscoNsm. 


the  closinn;  flays  of  tlio  sossinn,  and  created  iriiicli  interf'st.  Fiii'iids  and 
oiiponcntH  of  tlic  nii'usurc  were,  at  the  Cnjiitol  in  stronpf  force.  The  bill 
passed  liolh  liouses,  and  was  sent  to  tins  (fovernor  for  approval.  On  the 
18th  of  March,  lie  returned  the  same  to  the  a.iscnibly,  with  his  rea.sons  at 
length  for  rcfusinjj;  to  .sign  the  bill,  closing  with  the  following  remark:  — 

"  I  cannot  apprnvo  the  liill  witlinnt  "anctioninK  tlio  nullification  <<!  a  law  of 
Contjrcis,  plainly  aulliiirizc<l  liy  llic  Constiiuliun.  It  is  aii  asscrlinu  nf  Slate  rights, 
never  licfore  claiiricd  williiu  uiy  knowlcil^jc,  where  Congress  liad  already  alllrui- 
a'ively  acted  in  the  premises,  in  any  scition  nf  the  irniou,  —  nut  even  in  tliat  sec- 
tion of  cduutry  where  those  rit.'hts  have  lii.'en  uiiist  tN-atciifully  pianled.  Xor  am  I 
ivllliu;,' to  say  (hat  the  ;;i)veruiiirii'  ii:;ini'ers  (in  li)iatin^  tli(!  liridne)  have  failed 
to  discharge  the  duty  iuiposeil  u|  icui  inider  the  law  of  C)(i»t;ress." 

The  bill  wa.s  returned  to  the  asscmlilj";  and  on  tiio  question,  "  Sliall  the 
bill  pass,  the  objection  of  his  E.\eellency  tlie  Governor  to  the  contrary,  not- 
witiistandingV  "  the  bill  so  passed,  — aye.s  .sixty,  noes  twenty-eight,  and  ten 
absent,  or  not  voting.  On  tlie  bill  being  received  in  tlio  senate,  that  body 
refused  to  concur  with  the  a.s.senibly  in  (lie  jiassago  of  said  bill  over  the 
governor's  veto  by  a  vote  of  ayes  fifteen,  noes  twelve. 

The  legislature  adjourned  March  '.'O,  having  remained  iu  session  seventy- 
two  days. 

The  following  is  a  statement  of  business  presented  and  disposed  of  at  this 
session:  .Senate,  bills  introduced,  one  liundred  and  seventy-two;  memorials 
to  Congress,  two;  joint  resolutions,  twenty;  resolutions,  twenty-six;  peti- 
tions presented,  one  hundred  and  ninety-five.  A.ssentbly,  bills  introduced, 
four  hundred  and  thirty-four;  memorials,  eleven;  joint  resolutions,  forty- 
two;  resolutions,  ninet\--six;  petitions,  seven  hundred  and  fifty-one.  There 
were  one  hundred  and  tliiily-six  general  li>'~  [lassed.  nneluindred  and  forty- 
five  jniviite  and  local  hiws,  twenty-seven  appropriations,  eleven  memorials, 
and  six  joint  resolutions. 

Among  the  most  important  acts  passed  were,  providing  for  a  geologi- 
cal survey  of  the  State,  to  be  begun  in  Ashland  County,  and  completed 
ivithin  four  years,  by  a  chief  geologist  and  four  assistants,  to  In:  appointed 
liy  the  governor,  thirteen  tli(uis;inil  dolhirs  bring  approprii\t"d  annually; 
giving  the  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  li:iih-oa(l  Company  the  land-grant, 
conditioned  on  building  roads  from  Trcscott  to  Superior  and  llaylleld,  from 
lied  \Mng  to  Ciiipiiewa  Falls,  from  Monroe  to  Sludlsburg;  to  change  the 
management  of  the  State-prison  from  a  commissioner  elected  by  the  people 
every  two  years,  to  a  warden  appointed  by  the  governor,  with  consent  of  the 
Senate  and  a  board  of  directors;  to  substitute  the  secretary  of  state,  state 
treasurer,  and  attorney-general  for  the  senate,  as  a  State  board  of  assessors; 
applying  the  temperance  law  of  last  winter  to  all  cities  and  incorporated 
villages,  regardless  of  any  special  provisions  of  their  charter;  increasing 
the  salaries  of  Supreme  Com't  judges  to  five  thousand  dollars;  providing  for 
a  State  tax  for  lS7:Jof  Soil, 110;  to  provide'  for  finishing  the  .State  Capitol, 
protecting  tiie  same  against  fire;  for  the  improvement  of  the  Capitol  I'ark, 
and  apjM'opriating  S'Jti.H.'iO  for  the  same;  and  numerous  other  bills  and 
specific  appropri;itions  to  the  various  State  institutions. 


cto 


n/sTonr  of  w/scoysiy. 


In  addition  to  the  bill  vetoed  by  the  governor  on  the  bridging  of  the 
JliasiHsiinii,  tliere  wero  tliveo  others  which  faii(!(l  to  bcconio  hiw-s;  viz.,  for 
thu  relief  of  S.  D.  Carpenter;  to  uudit  u  verdict  of  CiiUdiis  &  I'roiidlit  on 
their  ininting  claim;  to  provide  for  the  collection  of  certain  property  sta- 
tistics, for  which  an  unobjectionable  bill  was  afterwards  passed. 

The  above  is  a  synop.sis  of  what  the  legislature  did,  and  refused  to  do. 
There  was  less  reference  to  politics  than  in  any  session  for  a  number  of 
sessions;  and  the  best  feeling  pervadi-'d  the  rn(nnbers. 

At  the  spring  election,  Hon.  Ursamus  Colo  was  re-elected  associate  jus- 
tice of  the  Supreme  Court. 

Under  the  law  for  carrying  on  the  geological  survey  of  the  State,  Gov. 
Washburn  appointed  Increase  A.  Lapham,  LL.D.,  as  chief  of  tiio  survey,  on 
the  11th  of  April.  The  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railroad,  on  the  l.Jlh  of 
May,  sent  to  the  governor  an  official  notice  that  they  declined  to  accept  the 
St.  Croix  and  Superior  land-grant,  under  the  terms  prescribed  by  the  act  of 
the  last  session  of  the  legislature.  This  action  on  the  part  of  the  coni[iany 
was  the  cause  of  much  comment  by  the  newspaper  press;  and  the  course  of 
the  company  was  severely  criticised. 

On  the  27th  of  August,  the  Republican  Union  Convention  for  the  nomi- 
nation of  State  officers  was  held  at  Madison,  John  Nazro,  president. 

Hon.  C.  C.  Washburn  was  unanimously  renominated  for  governor,  with- 
out ballot.  For  lieutenant-governor,  on  the  first  formal  ballot,  Robert  H. 
Baker  received  l."30  votes,  and  was  nominated;  for  secretarj  of  state,  E.  W. 
Young  received  130  votes,  and  was  nominated;  Ole  C.  Johnson  received  189 
votes  for  treasurer,  and  was  nominated;  for  attorney-general,  L.  F.  Frisby 
received  102  votes,  and  was  nominated;  Robert  Graham  received  100  votes, 
and  was  nominated  superintendent  of  public  instruction ;  G.  P.  Lindman 
received  119  votes,  and  was  nominated  as  emigration  connnissioner. 

On  the  25th  of  September,  the  Liberal  Democratic  Convention  met  at 
Milwaukee,  Hon.  S.  1).  Burcliard,  president. 

William  R.  Taylor  received  229  votes  for  governor  (all  cast),  and  was 
declared  unanimously  nominated;  for  lieutenant-governor,  C.  D.  Parker  re- 
ceived 188  votes,  and  was  nominated;  Ferdinand  Kuehn  received  188  votes, 
and  was  nominated  for  .state  treasurer;  lion.  Peter  Doyle  received  150 
votes,  and  was  nominated  for  secretary  of  state;  for  attorney-general,  A. 
Scott  Sloan  was  nominated  by  acclamation;  Prof.  Kdward  Searing  was 
nominated  superintendent  of  public  instruction  by  acclamation;  and  M.  J. 
Argard,  receiving  140  votes,  was  declared  nominated  for  state-prison  com- 
missioner. 

At  the  election  in  November,  C.  C.  Washburn  received  00,224  votes,  and 
William  11.  Taylor  81,509:  the  latter  w.is  eKctcd,  and  tlie  remainder  of  the 
Liberal  Democratic  ticket,  by  majorities  ranging  between  thirteen  and  four- 
teen thousand.  In  consequence  of  the  residt  of  this  election,  the  Republi- 
can party,  which  had  been  in  power  from  the  beginning  of  the  administra- 
tion of  Gov.  Coles  IJashford,  in  1850,  to  the  close  of  the  year  1873,  retired 
from  power  to  give  place  to  Democratic  or  "  Refoiin  "  supremacy. 


CIIAPTKR   LXIV. 

ADMINISTRATION'   OF   GOV.    W.    K.   TAYLOU. 

Events   of  1874  — First    Messngo   of    finv.     'i'liylor  —  l«;;islation  —  Stntlstlcs — 

lUillroad  Ijiti^'Utiim. 


O.N  tho  fifth  day  of  January,  IS"  I,  the  Reform  party  of  the  State  of  Wis- 
consin commenced  its  administration.  The  inauguration  ceremonies  took 
phico  on  the  5tli,  and  were  liricf  and  simple.  At  haif-past  eleven,  .'V.M.,  a 
larpfc  party  assembled  at  the  Kxecutive  office,  amonaf  whom,  besides  tho 
iif'wly-elected  .State  otTicers,  were  Hon.  George  IJ.  Smith,  attorney-general  of 
the  last  Democratic  administration.  Gen.  C.  It.  Gill,  formerly  attorney-gen- 
eral, Hon.  S.  0.  lUirchard,  Hon.  X.  U.  Fratt,  Hon.  L.  B.  Vilas,  Hon.  ,1.  C. 
Gregory,  and  many  others.  From  the  E.\ecntive  odioo,  tho  incoming  otBcers, 
escorted  by  the  outgoing  ones,  prococded  to  tho  Supreme  Comt  room,  and, 
with  the  judges,  to  tho  assembly  chamber.  Tho  newly-eleeted  officers  took 
scats  in  front  of  the  clerk's  (^^sk;  and  each,  as  his  name  was  called,  arose, 
and  tli(^  oath  of  office  was  administered  by  Hon.  L.  S.  JJixon,  ciiief  justice 
of  the  Supreme  Court. 

Tho  following  is  a  list  of  the  State  officers  who  took  the  oath  of  office, 
which  comprised  the  .State  officers  elect:  — 

(iovenior,  AV'illiam  R.  Taylor  of  Dane;  lieutenant-governor,  Cliarloa  D. 
Parker  of  St.  t.'roi.x;  secretary  of  state,  Peter  Doyle-  of  Crawford;  state 
treasurer,  Ferdinand  Knohn  of  Milwaukee;  attorney-general,  A.  .Scott 
Sloan  of  Dodge;  state  superintendent,  Eilvvard  Searing  of  Rock;  emigra- 
tion commissioner,  W.  R.  Argard  of  Eau  Claire.  In  tho  ev^.iuj;,  tho  State 
officers  received  their  friends  at  tho  assembly-chamber,  it  which  lime  tho 
room  was  filled  to  its  capacity.  After  the  officers  bad  received  the  congratu- 
lations of  their  friends,  tho  floor  was  prepared  for  dancing,  which  was 
enjoyed  by  the  large  party  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  who  were  present  on  tho 
occasion. 

Tho  annual  meeting  of  the  State  legislature  commenced  on  tho  14th  of 
January.  Hon.  Charles  D.  Parker,  as  lieutenant-governo'',  took  !:!«  seat  as 
president  of  tho  senate  ;  and  J.  H.  \Vaggoner  was  eler'ed  ciiicf  clerk,  and 
O.  I'.  Aken  sergeant-at-arms.  In  tho  assembly  Gabri'  1  ISouck  was  elected 
speaker,  George  W.  Peck  chief  clerk,  and  Joseph  Deuiitcr  sergeant-at-arma. 

GU 


G42 


HISTORY  or  n/sro.\iuy. 


Ill  tlip  si'iiato,  sixtiM'n  w.  ro  Ri'fonncrs,  and  scviMitoon  li''iMililicaiis.  [u 
till'  asscmlily.  l!i'l'i)rinin-.s,  '!'iy-i'i;;ht ;  llepuMicans,  forty  ;  Iiuli'poiKlciits, 
two.  Tlio  k'f;i.sl:itiiro  adji.  inii'd  on  tlio  l"Jtli  of  Marcli,  aft(>r  a  si'ssioii 
of  fifty-ei-jht  days.  On  ilio  l.")th  of  January,  Guv.  Taylor  ini't  Uk; 
joint  1 .  nvciitinii  of  tin'  two  liuusos,  an<l  delivered  liis  first  annnal  nies- 
sa\'e.  At  till'  liec;iniiiiii^,  ho  referred  to  tlio  linaiieial  disturhanees  of 
tlie  eoiiiifry,  and  saiil.  that  accompanying  them  had  come  an  iin]i"ra- 
tive  deiuand  from  the  people  for  a  purer  jiolitioal  morality,  a  more 
equitable  apiiortionmeiil  of  the  burdens  and  l>li.'ssin!:fs  of  government, 
and  a  more  rij;id  eeonniny  in  the  administration  of  jniblic  afl'airs.  He 
made  reference  to  the:  financial  condition  of  the  .State,  r.iid  siiirgested  that 
taxes  1)0  collected  semi-annually,  or,  if  the  time  ho  not  changed,  that 
till!  Stai  •  ought  to  di'iive  sonn  revenue  for  intere.'5t  on  its  surplus  funds 
during  a  portion  of  the  year.  'l"he  receipt.s  and  disbursements  for  the  iire- 
vious  year  were  given  in  a  clear  manner,  showing  that  the  general  fund  wa.s 
overdrawn,  and  that  money  had  been  borrowed  temporarily  from  t!ie  trust- 
limds  (if  the  State  to  pay  draft.s  ujioii  the  general  fnnd.  'I'liis  ]iractice  the 
governor  eonili'mned  strongly,  and  remarked  that  a  deficiency  in  the  general 
1'uikI  in  excess  of  all  proper  resources  for  current  ex[ienditures  from  tho 
trust-funds  of  the  State  was,  in  fact,  .an  increase  of  the  State  debt  to  tho 
precise  amount  of  the  sum  thus  taken  from  those  funds. 

lie  commended  the  suggestion  of  ex-secretary  lireese  on  the  subject 
of  taxing  raihvay-coinpauies,  and  thought,  also,  that  foreign  iiisurance- 
coin|iaiiies  siiould  bo  made  to  pay  more  taxes  to  tho  .Stale,  and  recom- 
mended that  all  fees  rec'-ivi  d  by  State  olUcers  should  go  into  the  treasury. 
Tho  registry  law  he  thim  ;lr.  w.is  costly,  cumbrous,  and  inelKciont,  and  its 
amendment  or  repeal  was  recommended;  and.  in  coiuieetion  therewith,  tho 
o[iinioii  was  expressed,  that  a  fairer  and  fulli.'r  expression  of  piildic  opinion 
might  be  secured  by  keeping  the  polls  op'ii  a  greater  niimbi'r  of  liour.s.  llo 
also  congratulated  the  legislature  on  th  ■  progress  of  ediieation  in  the  St.atej 
and  the  common  schools,  normal  schools,  and  .State  University  received  a 
very  favoral)le  niv'ntion.  The  governor  felt  a  just  pride  in  tlio  State  Uni- 
veisitv.  and  hoped  it  would  stanil  as  the  "crowning  head"  of  the  sj-st 'iii 
of  ]iuliiic  iuslriielion.  II"  referred  to  the  Centeiinial  Ex]iosition  in  favtirable 
terms,  and  recunini'iided  a  board  of  managers  to  reivresent  tlie  .Slate,  and 
superintend  an  exhibition  of  the  products  which  may  be  sent,  lie  recom- 
mended the  continued  .sympathy  and  care  of  the  charitable  institutions  of 
the  State. 

lie  discussed  briefly  the  siiliject  of  temperance  legislation,  and  exjiressed 
his  views  strongly.  lie  thought  the  bill  known  as  the"(iraliain  l,aw  " 
objectionable  in  many  of  its  provisions,  and  recommended  some  moditica- 
tion  of  existing  legishition,  .so  as  to  dispen.so  with  tlie.^e  obnoxiou,s  feaiure.s 
without  impairing  tlie  power  of  the  State  to  regulate  and  restrain  the  li(]uoi' 
tra.Uc.  The  sidiject  of  banks  and  banking  ri'ceived  careful  consideration; 
and  .some  legislation  was  urged  for  the  better  protection  of  depositors. 

The  subject  of  transportation  wn.i  quite  fully  and  very  aldy  discu:,;-?d; 


C44 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN 


and  he  referrofl  with  satisfaction  to  the  iraprovflment  of  the  harbors  of  the 
State,  of  tlie  Mississippi  River,  and  of  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  Rivers.  He 
thought  tliese  public  improvements  were  warranted  by  the  General  Govern- 
ment, from  the  national  character  of  the  works. 

The  governor  presented  the  diilereiit  aspects  of  the  railway-question  in  a 
clear  and  concise  manner.  lie  laid  down  certain  propositions  to  guide  tho 
legislature  in  the  investigation  of  this  subject,  and  suggested,  but  did  not 
recommon<l,  a  railroad  commission.  lie  insisted  that  farmers  have  rights 
that  legislators  are  bound  to  respect,  and  that  the  time  had  come  when 
some  relii'f  should  be  afforded  against  the  greed  and  exturtion  of  monopo- 
lists, lie  stood  by  his  associates,  and  honored  his  calling.  The  evils  and 
abuses  complained  of  he  considered  could  better  bo  remedied  by  State  than 
by  Federal  legislation. 

The  mi'ssago  was  independent  and  dignified  in  tone;  and  its  clear  an  1 
forcible  style,  and  its  fair  and  able  discussion  of  public  affairs,  made  it  an 
official  'loi'ument  of  merit  and  importance.  It  will  compare  favorably  with 
any  similar  document  ever  submitted  to  any  legislature  of  this  State. 

The  legislature  adjourned  March  1.3,  after  a  short  session  of  forty-nine 
days.  It  carried  out,  in  the  main,  the  excellent  recommendations  contained 
in  Gov.  Taylor's  message. 

In  reference  to  the  acts  of  this  session,  "The  Madison  Democrat" 
said, — 


"  It  has  curtailed  tlie  current  expenses,  and  lias  furnished  tlio  people  some  pro- 
tection aj^ainst  tlio  ixtortiou  (if  Rraml  nionopfilies.  The  new  party  has  inau!»u- 
ratwl  an  era  ^f  retreuclimcnt  and  refonn  hitherto  uukuown  in  tho  history  of 
Wisronsin  An  euumeratiun  of  some  of  iho  important  hills  that  passcil  the 
lieforiM  ansf  mlily,  to  meet  with  defeat  in  the  Itepublioan  senate,  are  given.  Tho 
first  IJeforni  ineastire  that  was  killed  liy  the  sciia'e  was  the  Registry  Law,  that 
prohalily  would  hav^  neil  the  State  at  least  tventy-live  tliousand  dollars,  The 
Warehouse  Bill,  tlmt  «  nuld  have  saved  the  farmers  of  the  State  one  cent  a  bushel 
on  all  the  grain  tiiey  sold,  went  through  tlie  house  to  meet  its  fate  in  the  senate. 
The  bill  to  tax  insnrauce-ionipanies,  that  would  have  brought  four  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  into  tho  State  treasury,  and  relieved  the  people  of  that  amount  of 
burdcnsoiiie  taxes,  was  killed  in  the  senate,  after  passing  the  assembly  by  a  large 
majority.  The  liest  and  most  restrictive  railroad-bill  of  the  session  was  adopted 
by  the  Jteform  assembly,  as  embodying  tlio  legislation  re'niired  on  this  subject, 
•lid  was  amended  in  the  senate  Viy  the  adoption  of  a  substitute  very  mild  in  its 
provlsliiii-i,  and  mnie  acceptable  to  raiIroa<l  monopolies.  Tho  assembly  passed  a 
bill  iniicasing  the  license-lc«  of  railrojwls  to  flvo  per  cent;  but  the  senate  reduced 
tlKJ  amount  to  four  por  cent.  The  lio-.iso  also  proposed  a  bill  abolishing  unjust 
discriminations  by  railroad  conipai'los ;  but  it  was  either  defeated  by  the  senate,  or 
so  inodilicd  as  to  destroy  its  fo'-.:e.  And,  ti  close  its  laliors,  the  senate  refused  to 
concur  in  the  bill  passed  by  tlie  assembly  to  straighten  the  lino  of  tho  Central 
Wisconsin  Railroad  l>eti-ccn  I'ortage  City  and  Stevens  Point." 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  above,  that,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Democratic  paper 
at  tho  scat  of  government,  the  senate  was  to  blame  for  the  defeat  of  many 
important  public  measures:  on  tho  contrary,  "  The  Madison  Journal,"  the 
Republican  paper  at  the  capital,  said,  — 


HISTORY  OF    WISCOSSIN. 


645 


"Tt  is  the  only  assetnWy  that  has  stnak  frum  the  statute-liook  the  law  making 
liiiunr-ilealei's  responsihlo  for  all  il:una'j;o  causeil  liy  wliiskey  sellinf;.  and  ailniitted 
the  princ'i;)lo  of  making;  the  selloi' liable,  to  he  correct,  ami  restricted  the  liahility 
so  that  it  U  of  next  to  no  value.  It  is  the  only  assenihly  that  was  elected  iinue'- 
loud  promises  of  reform,  of  friendship  for  the  workinginon,  and  of  opposition  to 
monopoly,  and  then  voted  down  a  senate  hill  to  compel  railroad-companies  to 
pny  for  injuries  received  hy  workinfjinen  in  their  employ;  and  it  is  the  only 
assembly  that  disgusted  its  own  loading  men  by  the  acts  of  some  of  their  mem- 
bers." 

Another  newspaper  remarks,  "that,  judj,'eJ  ns  a  whole,  it  has  fallen 
rather  below  its  predecessors  in  the  character  of  it.s  work.  It  has  not 
wrought  more  reforms  or  important  changes  in  existuipf  laws  tlian  its  pred- 
ecessors; and  what  tlicre  has  been  of  real  reform  is  full  as  much  due  to 
tlio  Ilepublieau  senate  as  to  tlio  Democratic  assembly." 

It  w;U  be  seen  that  the  acts  of  this  session,  and  tlie  disagreements  between 
the  two  houses  on  other  measures,  were  not  calculated  to  produce  much  har- 
mony; and  both  parties  were  raoro  or  less  dissatisfied  with  the  results  of  the 
labors  of  the  session.  The  legislature  jiassed  three  hundred  and  forty-nine 
laws,  fourteen  joint  resolutions,  and  twi'nty-three  memorials  to  Congress. 
Of  the  important  laws  enacted  are:  an  act  relating  to  the  government  of 
the  Soldiers'  Orphans'  Home  (to  provide  homes  iu  private  families  for  those 
of  the  age  of  fourteen  years) ;  to  consolidate  and  codify  the  various  laws  of 
the  .State  relating  to  excise,  and  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors;  to  provide 
for  the  completion  of  the  improvements  about  the  Capitol  Park;  to  provide 
for  the  purchase  of  paper  required  fur  public  printing  and  blank  books;  to 
confer  corporate  powers  on  the  order  of  the  I'atrons  of  Husbandry;  an  act 
relating  to  public  printing;  an  act  relating  to  railroads,  express  and  tele- 
graph companies  in  the  State  (this  act  fixes  the  compensation  per  mile  for 
the  transportation  t>f  passengers,  classifies  fri'ights,  and  fixes  definite  prices 
for  transportation  to  places  on  the  line  oi"  said  roads,  also  the  appointment 
of  railroad  commissioners.  This  was  one  of  the  most  important  of  the 
enactments  of  the  session,  and  created  great  interest  in  all  parts  of  the 
State);  it  provide  for  levying  a  State  tax  for  1871  (*J287,.ji?d  in  addition  to 
the  amounts  authorized  to  be  levied  by  existing  laws);  to  authorize  the 
enlargement  of  the  Wisconsin  Hospital  for  the  In.sane,  and  thirty-five  thou- 
.sand  dollars  appropriated,  and  to  appropriate  ninety  thousand  dollars  to  the 
Xorthern  Hospital  for  the  lusane.  One  of  tho  joint  resolutions  adopted 
was  for  providing  biennial  sessions  of  the  legislature,  and  compensation  of 
members. 

On  the  27th  of  April,  1874,  Alexander  Mitchell,  president  of  tho  Jlilwau- 
keo  and  St.  I'aul  Ilailroad,  and  Albert  Keep,  president  of  the  Chicago  and 
Xorth-wcstern  Ilailroad,  wrote  to  Gov.  Tavku-  that  their  several  corpora- 
tions would  disreganl  that  part  of  the  railway  law  of  \Visconsin.  In  conse- 
quence of  the  refusal  of  tiie  two  companies  referred  to  to  conform  to  the  law 
iu  reference  to  prices,  &c.,  the  State  authorities  filed  informations  against 
the  companies  in  the  Supreme  Court,  on  the  lOth  of  May,  charging  them 
with  violating  laws  passed  for  (he  regulation  of  lailroads,  and  asked  leave  to 
bring  suits  for  the  forfeiture  of  their  charters. 


t^Vfi'i 


640 


IIlSTOfiY  OF   W/SCONSIIV. 


On  licaiiiis  and  filinff  the  petition  of  A.  Scott  Sloan,  attorney-general, 
the  Court  granted  to  the  attorney-general  to  bring  an  action  in  the  nature  of 
a  i/iio  wiirrantn  m  the  Sii]ir('nie  Cmi-t,  in  the  name  of  tlie  State  of  Wisconsin, 
against  th(!  Milwaukei'.  ('hiea,'cp,  and  St.  Paul  Uailniad,  for  tlie  purpose  of 
vacating  tiio  charter,  and  aiimilliiig  the  existence  of  said  coriioration  as 
prayed  for  in  tlie  petition.  Siinil.ir  aetinn  was  had  in  reference  to  tiie  (,'hi- 
cago  and  North-western  Railroad  t'nnipany,  the  Court  giving  permission  as 
in  the  former  company. 

On  the  1st  of  June,  steps  were  taken  hy  tlie  Chicago  and  Xorth-westcru 
Railroad  to  I'lijoin  all  further  imiceedings  against  them  by  the  St;ilo  author- 
ities by  an  appeal  tn  the  Federal  courts.  Papers  were  served  upon  the 
iittorney-general  and  th'  railroad-commi.ssioner.s,  notifying  them  that  an 
injunction  would  li"  appli'il  for,  in  the  United  States  District  Court  for  the 
Western  District  of  Wise msin,  to  resti'ain  them  from  instituting  fi.^i  J  rates 
to  be  paid  for  freight  and  passengers.  The  reason  given  was,  that  the  law 
loaves  only  seven  per  cent  of  the  gross  earnings  to  pay  interest  and  ilivi- 
deiids,  which  is  not  a  suitable  and  reasonable  return  for  capital  iuvesti'd. 
ilr.  Mitchell  said  -'iliat  the  board  of  directors,  regardmg  themselves  as 
trustees  of  the  .stockholders  and  bondholders,  believe  it  to  bo  their  duty  to 
disregard  so  much  of  the  law  as  attempts  to  fix  an  arbiti'ary  rate  of  compen- 
sation IVu' freight  and  |iassengers."  .Mr.  Kee[i  also  says,  "that  the  pri'Si'iit 
law  relative  to  railroads  amounted  to  eonliscation,  as  the  working-expeii.si's 
could  scarcely  be  paid  under  it."  The  companies  immediately  adhered  to 
their  former  rat's.  On  the  2d  of  May,  Gov.  Taylor  issued  a  proclamation, 
in  wlii(  li  he  recited  the  action  taken  by  the  two  railroad  eorpor.ations,  and 
said,  ••  'The  law  of  the  land  must  be  re.sp(.:cted  and  obi'ycd.  While  none  are 
so  weak  e.s  to  be  without  its  protection,  none  are  .so  strong  as  to  be  aboi'o 
its  restraints,"  and,  closing  said,  "  I  therefore  enjoin  all  railroad  corpora- 
tions, tlirir  olllcers  and  agents,  iicac<'ably  to  submit  to  the  law;  for,  since  tho 
Executive  is  charged  with  the  responsibility  of  seeing  that  tho  laws  are 
faithfully  executed,  all  the  functions  of  his  ollioo  will  bo  exercised  to  that 
end  ;  and,  for  this  purpose,  he  invokes  t'le  aid  and  co-operation  of  all  good 
citizens  in  any  proceedings,  or  any  measures  tak<'n  for  the  purpose  of  exe- 
cuting the  act  of  the  last  legislature,  regulating  railro.ads." 

This  action  was  not  brought  in  the  name  of  tho  railroad  company,  but  iii 
the  name  of  its  creditors,  who  claim  that  their  securities  were  weakened  or 
destroyed  l»y  the  law  of  1S71.  On  the  Itii  of  iliiiie,  the  case  came  up  in  the 
United  Stat-s  District  Court;,  Judges  Dnimmond  and  Hopkins  presidiie 
Hon.  C.  IJ.  J>awrenoe  appeared  on  the  part  of  the  creditors  of  the  Chicag,-- 
and  North-wi'stern  Railroad  Company,  .ind  .\ltorney-General  Sloan  on  the 
part  of  the  State;  and,  after  discussion,  it  was  decided  that  the  matter 
should  bo  deferred  until  the  1st  of  July.  In  this  case,  the  governor  retained 
ex-Chief  Justice  Dixon  as  associate  couusi'l  to  assist  in  the  trial  of  th(!  case 
with  the  altoruey-geiieral  and  his  assistant.  Hon.  I.  C.  Sloan.  Judge 
Dixon  had  retired  from  the  bench  on  the  L'jtli  of  June;  and  lion.  K.  (i. 
Ryan  was  apjiointed  to  fill  iiis  |ilace.     On  the  1st  of  July,  the  case  was  brought 


648 


HISTORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


up  in  tlio  Uiiiti!(l  States  District  Court.  Jiid.^'i's  Davis,  Diiimmoiid,  and 
Iloiikiiis  presided.  The  caso  was  ari^ued  on  tin;  part  of  tlio  boiulhoMi'rs  l>y 
B.  C.  Cook,  Esq.,  of  C'liicajjo,  Hon.  C.  B.  Lawrciieo,  Judfjo  Stoiitfliton  of 
New  York;  and,  on  the  part  of  the  State,  by  Hon.  L.  S.  Dixon,  followed  by 
I.  C.  Sloan,  E )(].  On  (lie  Gtli,  the  Court  gave  their  decision,  which  su.stains 
the  validity  of  the  law;  holdinij  that  it  wa.s  not  repealed  by  the  law  of 
JIareli  \2.  and  tiiat  the  k\ufi.slature  is  alisolute  arbiter  of  the  question  of  rate.s 
for  t'r('i;;htH  and  passengers  from  jwint  to  po.nt  within  AVisoonsin  Territory. 
This  is  regarded  as  a  judicial  concurrence  in  the  general  opinion  held  by  the 
people  since  tiio  constitution  was  adopti'd.  The  decision,  liowever,  was  not 
final.  A  question  was  involveil  regulating  the  commerce  between  States; 
and  on  that  point  the  Court  desired  to  liear  further  argument. 

The  State  authorities,  on  the  8th  of  July,  by  Mes.srs.  Sloan  and  Dixon, 
filed  in  the  Supremo  Court  a  '•  11  of  equity,  complaining  of  th(!  persistent 
violation  of  the  law  of  the  Stu  'gulating  railroads,  by  the  Chicago,  Mil- 
waukee, and  St.  Paul,  and  the  Chicago  and  Xorth-western  Railroads,  and  a 
petition  that  these  companies  be  enjoined  l)y  tin'  Court  to  obey  .said  law  so 
far  as  it  was  ludd  valid  by  the  late  decision  of  tlie  United  States  District 
Court.  A  copy  was  served  on  the  officers  of  the  railroads  in  question,  who 
were  notified  that  the  attorneys  for  the  State  would  ask  a  hearing  on  a 
motion  for  injunction,  as  above  stated,  on  the  11th  of  July.  On  that  day 
the  parties,  by  tiieir  attorneys,  appeared  in  court;  and,  by  mutual  consent, 
th(!  hearing  of  the  case  was  iKjstponed  until  Aug.  1. 

On  the  Itli  of  August,  the  Sui)reme  Court  met  for  a  hearing  on  the  appli- 
cation of  the  State  to  enjoin  the  two  railroads  before  referred  to  to  obey 
the  law  of  last  winter  regulating  railroads.  There  was  a  large  array  of 
legal  gentlemen  of  high  standing  in  the  profession  taking  part  in  the  case, 
including  the  follouing  coun.s  1  ;  for  the  State,  Hon.  I.  C.  Sloan,  assistant 
attorney-general,  Judgi'  I,.  S.  Dixon,  and  Judge  Harlow  S.  Orton ;  for  the 
Chicago  md  Xorth-wosti'rn  Ilailrnad  Company,  Judge  C.  H.  Lawrence  and 
Hon.  IJ.  C.  Cook  of  Chicag",  and  Hon.  tJeorge  B.  Smith  of  Madison  ;  for 
the  Chicago,  Milwaukee,  r.nd  St.  Paul  Railroad  Company,  Hon,  Join)  W. 
Cary  and  Judge  P.  L.  Spooner;  also,  as  consulting  attorni'ys  in  beliaU'  of 
the  railroads.  Messrs.  J.  C.  (Jregory  and  V.  J.  Lamb  of  Madison,  and  Col. 
J.  C.  Spooner,  attorney  of  West  \V'iscousin  Ilailrnad  Comjiany.  of  Hudson. 
The  cases  were  argui'd  by  the  respective  counsel,  and  continued  until  the 
lull  of  August,  at  which  time  the  court  adjourned  until  the  L'.Jtli  instant. 
On  th(!  2oth,  the  court  met;  but  a  decision  was  deferred  until  the  15th  of 
September,  at  which  time,  at  the  opening  of  the  court.  Chief  Justice  Ryan 
reail  the  opinion  of  Uie  courl.  It  Inlly  sustains  the  law  passeil  by  the 
It?)!  hiture  of  1S71,  and  the  right  of  the  .State  to  lontiid  corporations.  The 
Opinion  is  a  1  ngthy  one.  In  conclusion,  it  was  annouuoeil  that  the  motions 
of  the  atto<-uey-general  must  bo  granted,  and  the  writs  issuw  as  to  all  the 
roads  ot  llio  Chicago  and  Xorth-western  Railway  Company,  and  all  tho 
roaiJM  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee,  and  St.  V>id  Railway  Company,  except 
til'  railroad  frmii   Milwaukee  to  Pr.uii  ■  ilii  Cliien,  built  under  tin;    terri- 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


torial  charter  of  18i7,  1848.  The  attorney-general  was  (lin^ctod  to  file  in 
these  cases,  before  the  writs  issu",  his  olFieial  stipulation  not  to  proseeuto 
tlie  (lefenilants  as  for  forfeiture  of  tlieir  charters  for  any  violations  of  the 
law  of  1871,  charged  in  these  informations,  licfore  tin.'  first  Jay  of  October 
next,  that  time  bcin::^  allowed  Ly  the  court  to  the  defendants  to  arrange 
their  rates  of  toll  under  the  law. 

The  llepublican  Conventions  of  the  several  congressional  districts  put  in 
nomination  for  members  of  congress  Charles  (r.  Williams,  L.  15.  Caswell, 
II.  .S.  Magoon,  II.  Ludinglon,  Hiram  liarber.  \.  M.  Kimball,  J.  M.  Husk, 
and  A.  S.  McDill.  The  Liberal  Reform  and  Democratic  Conventions  nom- 
inated N.  I).  Fratt.  .V.  G.  Cook,  C.  F.  Thompson,  \V.  P.  Lynde,  S.  D. 
Uurchard,  Gabriel  Liouck,  D.  C.  Fulton,  and  George  W.  Gate. 

At  the  election  in  Vovember,  the  following  congressmen  were  elected:  C. 
G.Williams,  Ilepulilicau  :  L.  I?.  Caswell.  Ui'publicau ;  II.  S.  Magoon.  lleput)- 
licau:  W.  P.  Lymh-,  Reform;  .S.  1).  liurehard,  Reform:  A.M.  Kimball, 
Republican;  J.  M.  Risk,  Republican;  and  G.  W.  Cate,  Liberal,  —  five 
Republicans,  and  threi^  Reformers. 

At  the  same  election,  members  of  the  legislature  wi'ro  elected  to  make 
the  ne.Kt  se.s.siou  to  consist  of  seventeen  Republican  and  fifteen  Liberal 
senators,  and  one  Inih'pendent.  and  sixty-lour  Republican  members  of  the 
assembly,  thirty-five  Reformers,  and  one  Independent;  giving  the  Republi- 
cans the  majority  in  both  houses. 


CIIAl'TEIl    L\V. 

ADMINISTRATION   OF   GOV.   W.    U.   TAYLOR. 

KveiitM  of  1875  — legislation  — State  InstitutioiiH  —  Tlio  United  Status  Heiuit' 
ship  Contest  —  Defeat  of  Carpenter  —  Trimnpli  of  Canioron. 


TiiK  twenty-c'iglith  aiimial  session  of  tlio  State  Iciiiisl.itiiro  codvciumI  on 
the  l;]lli  of  January,  1875.  Liout.-Gov.  C.  D.  I'arkor  to(.k  his  soat  as  presi- 
dent of  the  senate.  After  the  newly-elected  ineniliers  had  suliscrihed  and 
taken  the  oath  of  oflico,  that  body  proceeded  to  the  election  of  chief  clerk. 
P.  A.  Dennett  received  seventeen  votes,  and  Georcfc  H.  King  sixteen  votes : 
tlie  former  was  elected,  and  O.  U.  Akcn  was  elected  ser2;eant-at-arn).s  by  a 
similar  vote.  In  the  assenibjy,  tlie  oatii  of  ollice  was  admiMisti'reil  by  Hon. 
A.  .'^colt  Sloan,  atcoriii'V-Jjeneral  of  the  State;  and.  alter  i)('iii,'^  snbseribi'd  to, 
th(!  assembly  proci.'eded  to  elect  a  speaker.  Hon.  Frederick  W.  Horn  re- 
cr'ived  sixty-)ive  votes;  T.  H.  HiKld,  thirty-two  ;  aucl  two  scatterint;.  Mr. 
Horn  was  elected,  and  took  his  seat  as  sjieaker.  Col.  U.  M.  .Strong  reciived 
sixty-five  votes  for  chief  clerk;  and  George  W.  Peek,  thirty-four  votes.  Col. 
Stro'ig  was  elected,  and  .1.  W.  Braekett  electi.'d  seri,'eant-at-arms  by  a  simi- 
lar ''ote.  On  the  11th  the  tjovernor  met  the  leglslatnre  in  joint  convention, 
and  delivered  liis  second  annual  message.  IIo  commeneed  by  .saying  ••  that, 
while  our  material  prosperity  has  not  met  our  expectations,  wo  snifer  no 
fiuaneial  depression  not  shared  liy  other  States,"  and  very  forcibly  alluded 
to  the  condition  of  things  in  [..ouisiana;  and  the  contrast  was  drawn  between 
the  circumstances  inider  which  tl.o  b'e-islatures  of  that  .State  and  this  were 
("■rniitted  to  assemble,  organize,  and  decide  upon  thi^  election  and  i|ualiliea- 
tions  of  their  members.  He  then  referred  to  the  reports  from  the  dilferent 
State  departments.  All  forms  of  State  taxation  liail  been  promptly  paid ; 
our  State  debt,  mostly  dtio  to  the  State  itself,  was  insignificant  compared 
with  our  population  and  resource?;  the  cause  of  popular  education  had 
ra]>idly  proe;ressed;  our  charitable  and  benevolent  institutions  had  been 
conducted  with  marked  efficiency  and  ecfmoniy;  the  public  lands  had  been 
carefully  protected.  He  renewed  his  recominen<lati(in  of  last  year  on  the 
expediency  of  changing  the  time  for  the  collection  of  taxes,  and  also  of 
providing  eitiier  for  the  collection  of  taxes  semi-annually,  or  for  an  occa- 
sional deposit  of  surplus  funds  ujion  interest. 

(i.JO 


652 


lIISTOIiY  or    W /SCONS I. V. 


Till}  siifffji'stions  unJ  rooonimi'iuliitiDn.s  of  the  f[ovornor  in  regard  to  our 
eli'ctioii  Iiiws  wtTi!  iif,'aiii  rcfi'ireil  to,  —  to  th(^  tiint^  of  ('losing  tlu*  polls,  to 
thi'  corrupt  uhc  of  moiicv  in  oloolions,  and  to  tlie  canvassing  of  votfs.  lie 
recotnnii'ndcd  the  cncouragi-mfnt  of  indcpi'ndcnt  military  companies,  called 
the  attention  of  tho  legislature  to  the  propriety  of  passing  some  law  for  the 
jirotection  of  railway  employees,  and  commented  upon  tho  benefits  that 
would  accrue  from  favorable  legislation  in  opening  eominunication  iiy  rail 
with  Lake  Superior  on  tin'  north,  and  the  eoal-helds  of  the  south.  He  in- 
vited attention  to  the  progress  already  made  in  the  geological  survey,  and 
to  the  propriety  of  further  legislation  "  with  a  view  to  a  more  prompt  and 
complett!  utilization  of  the  results  accomplished."  Telegraph  and  express 
companies,  and  the  apparent  partiality  with  reference  to  their  taxation,  wore 
bi'ought  under  considiration.  and  dwelt  upon  at  some  length,  and  such 
action  recommended  as  should  bring  these  corporations  more  clearly  w  ithiu 
the  range  of  ])ublic  snpi'rvision.  The  public  institutions — educational, 
charitable,  and  penal  —  wi'ro  consi(h'red,  and  many  valuable  suggestions 
made.  The  railroad  controversy  in  general,  and  the  law  of  1871,  known  as 
tho  "Potter  Law,"  in  particular,  received  attention;  and  Ids  views  com- 
mended themsejves  to  the  better  judgment  of  all  parties. 

The  tiist  important  business  of  th(!  session  was  the  election  of  a  United 
.States  senator  to  fill  the  place  of  Hon.  .M.  H.  Carpenter,  whose  term  of 
office  expires  March  4,  1870.  Agreeably  to  the  constitutional  requirement, 
each  branch  of  the  legislature,  on  the  L'Oth  of  January,  proceeded  to  take  a 
vote  for  senator.  In  the  senate,  .M.  H.  Carjienter  received  thirteen;  ,J. 
Black,  sixteen  votes;  Orsamus  Cole,  three  votes;  and  L.  S.  Dixon,  one  vote. 
In  the  assembly,  Mr.  Carpenter  received  forty-six  votes;  E.  S.  IJragg,  thirty- 
five  votes;  C.  C.  Washburn,  seven  votes;  O.  Cole,  three  votes;  L.  S.  Dixon, 
four  votes;  J.  T.  Lewis,  two  votes;  and  one  each  for  H.  Rubles  and  H.  S. 
Orton.  On  the  27th,  the  two  houses  met  in  joint  convention,  and  the  action 
had  by  each  house  was  read  by  the  chief  clerk.  Lieut.-Gov.  I'arker  declared 
that  there  was  no  election.  The  two  liouses  met  daily  until  the  -1th  of 
February,  when  tho  twelfth  ballot  was  taken  with  the  following  result: 
Angus  Cameron  received  sixty-eight  votes;  M.  II.  Carpenter,  fifty-nine  votes; 
and  four  scattering:  whereupon  the  lieutenant-governor  announced  the  elec- 
tion of  Hon.  Angus  Cameron  as  United  States  senator  for  six  years  from 
March  ■!,  1875. 

The  result  of  this  election  was  caused  by  the  fact  that  eighteen  Repub- 
lican members  of  'ho  assembly  were  pledged  to  vote  against  the  election  of 
Mr.  Carpenter  under  all  circumstances,  and  refused  to  meet  with  tho  Repub- 
lican members  in  caucus  to  nominate.  The  Democrat  and  Liberal  Repub- 
lican not  ha\  iug  the  power  to  elect  their  own  candidate,  and  desirous  of 
securing  the  defeat  of  Mr.  Carpenter,  united  with  tho  dissatisfied  Repub- 
licans in  electing  Jlr.  Cameron.  This  arrangement  was  made  by  the  active 
efiorts  of  Hon.  J.  R.  Doolitllc,  who,  bj-  his  intluence  with  the  minority  jiarty 
and  the  opponents  of  Mr.  Carpenter,  succecdi'd  in  carrying  out  tho  arrange- 
ment that  was  consummated. 


HISTORY  OF    WISCOSSI.V, 


G,W 


Perhaps  no  busiiicsH  of  tlie  Icpislaluro  for  many  ypan  rrcnted  so  iiiuolj 
intiTPst  as  tliis  clrctioii  nf  I'uiti'd  Stiiti.'s  senator.  Mr.  C'ar)ieiiter's  friends 
worked  ae(iv(dy,  and  fi'lt  saiiijnine  of  liis  election.  He  received  liw.  paneus 
nomination  of  liis  party,  and,  aeeordin^  to  the  ordinary  usa.^'es  of  party 
or.ijanizatinns,  slionld  liave  received  tlie  lull  vote  tiio  party  eonld  cast  on 
such  occa.sions.  The  liostility  to  iiis  re-election  was  lia.sed  upon  the  action 
of  Mr.  Carpenter  in  tiie  United  .States  senate,  and  his  vote  on  the  nie,isnrcs 
known  as  tlio  "  Credit  .Moliilier"  and  "liaekl'ay"  Hills,  and  his  speeches 
subsefpiently,  vindicating  his  course  in  conijress.  lion.  C.  C.  Washburn 
was  the  opi>onent  of  Mr.  Carpenter  early  in  the  canvass;  liut  it  soon  became 
evident  he  could  not  be  elected,  and  it  was  only  by  the  combination  before 
referred  to  that  the  election  of  the  latter  could  have  been  defeated. 

One  of  the  important  local  measures  passed  at  this  .session  was  one  to 
amend  the  law  of  I8IJ1.'  to  incorporate  the  city  of  ICau  Claire;  the  amend- 
ment being  no  more  than  the  famous  Dells  liill,  which  autiiorized  the 
erection  of  a  dam  with  separate  eluite,  &c.,  on  the  Chippewa  River,  above 
Eau  Claire.  This  measure  is  better  known  to  those  familiar  with  the  logi.s- 
lation  of  late  years  than  any  other  ever  presented.  It  was  argued  pro  and 
cnn  with  great  ability,  and  aroused  the  iutensost  feeling  at  various  times, 
involving  those  citizens  and  officials  who  entertained  the  kindest  regard  for 
the  people  of  Chippewa  Falls  and  Eau  Claire,  and  the  whole  valley.  The 
bill  pas.sed  lioth  houses,  and  was  sent  to  the  governor  for  approval.  The 
legislature  adjourned  on  the  0th  of  March.  It  was  one  of  the  shortest  in 
the  history  of  the,  .State,  and  one  of  the  most  imiJortant,  if  the  magnitude 
of  the  interests  involved  are  considered.  The  session  continued  fifty-three 
days,  the  first  halt  of  which  was  taken  up  almost  exclusively  with  the 
senatorial  contest;  so  that  nearly  all  the  luisiness  was  crowded  into  the  Last 
few  weeks:  as  a  consequence,  some  of  the  legislation  has  been  hasty  and  ill- 
considered,  and  may  prove  injurious  to  the  best  interests  of  the  State. 

The  following  is  a  statement  of  the  business  brought  before  the  legis- 
lature :  — 

Senate  :  petitions,  one  liundred  and  sixteen  ;  resolutions,  twenty-six  ; 
joint  resolutions,  twenty-one  ;  memorials  to  Congress,  five  ;  bills,  two  hun- 
dred. Assembly  :  petitions,  two  hundred  and  sixty  ;  resolutions,  sixty- 
seven  ;  joint  resolutions,  eighteen  ;  memorials,  eight ;  and  bills,  four  hun- 
dred and  thirty-seven.  During  the  last  three  days  of  the  8es.sion,  one 
hundi'jo  .iiid  Mxty-ninc  bills  were  disposed  of  by  the  Senate,  many  of  them 
with<iil,  any  i  ference  to  committees.  This  included  some  very  imi^rtant 
meas  res.  coi  laining,  as  it  did,  the  amendments  to  the  railroad  or  Potter 
Law  01  1S7I,  .he  Dells  Bill,  and  others  relating  to  the  educational  and  com- 
mercial u.ter'jsts  of  the  State. 

As  to  the  character  of  the  bills  that  were  passed,  it  is  hardly  time  to  ven- 
ture an  opinion.  The  railway  legislation  was  enacted  as  a  sort  of  a  com- 
promise, and  conseipiently  cannot  be  regarded  as  entirely  satisfactory  to 
anybody.  The  appropriations  were  large,  but  not  greater,  in  most  in- 
stances, than  were  warranted  by  a  strict  regard  to  the  public  interests. 


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664 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


The  following  are  some  of  the  important  hvws  jiassod  :  an  act  relating  to 
the  Wisconsin  Central  Uailroad,  amending  tlio  law  of  1800;  to  more  fully 
define  and  punish  the  crime  of  bribery;  to  encourage  the  bnilding  of 
narrow-gauge  railroads  and  to  secure  cheap  transportation;  to  render  women 
eligible  to  school  offices;  to  provide  for  taking  a  census,  or  enumeration  of 
the  people  of  the  State;  to  provide  for  the  revision  of  the  statutes;  to  facil- 
itate the  artlAcial  propagation  and  preservation  of  fish;  to  amend  the 
election  law,  abolishing  registration  of  electors  except  to  Incoriwrated 
villages  and  cities;  to  provide  for  levying  a  State  tax,  for  the  year  1875,  of 
8230,125  in  addition  to  the  amounts  authorized  by  existing  laws;  to  protect 
public  libraries;  and  to  authorize  the  regents  of  University  of  Wisconsin  to 
erect  a  building  for  scientific  purposes. 

The  whole  number  of  bills  passed  was  three  hundred  and  forty-four,  seven 
joint  resolutions,  and  twelve  memorials  to  Congress. 

At  the  election  in  Ajtril,  1875,  Hon.  Edward  0.  Uyan  was  elected  chief 
justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  for  the  term  of  six  years. 

Under  a  law  of  the  session  of  1874,  approved  March  19,  providing  for  a 
geological  survey  of  the  State,  Gov.  Washburn,  after  the  adjournment  of 
the  legislature,  appointed  I.  A.  Lapham,  LL.D.,  chief  geologist,  and  a 
competent  corps  of  assistants. 

In  th"  .senate,  in  the  month  of  February,  the  question  was  raised,  whether 
tue  State  geologist  had  been  projierly  ap]iointed.  The  matter  was  referred  to 
a  committee,  wliich  committee  made  a  unanimous  report,  that.  Dr.  Lapham's 
nomination  never  having  been  sent  to  the  senate  for  confirmation,  the 
office  of  State  geologist  was  vacant,  (jov.  Taylor  sent  t>j  the  senate  the  name 
of  Dr.  ().  W.  Wight  as  State  geologist;  and  his  nomination  was  confirmed 
by  the  senate  on  the  15th  of  February.  This  appointment  was  criticised  by 
some  of  the  newspaper  press  ;  and  it  was  charged  that  great  injustice  had 
been  done  to  Dr.  Lapliam  in  the  premises,  after  considerable  work  had 
been  carried  on  in  the  sur\'ey  by  the  geological  i)arty,  who  were  unaware  of 
the  fact  that  Dr.  Lapham's  appointment  had  not  been  legally  confirmed. 
On  the  other  hand,  it  was  said  that  the  work,  as  performed  in  the  Lake 
Superior  country  by  tlie  j>arty,  was  not  satisfactory ;  and  the  members  of  the 
legislature  from  that  SL'ction  were  strenuous  for  a  change  in  the  manage- 
ment. 

The  Repiiblican  State  Convention  for  the  nomination  oi  State  officers  to 
fill  the  places  of  those  now  in  office,  whose  terms  expire  Dec.  31,  1875,  was 
held  at  Madison  on  the  7th  of  July,  Ex-Oov.  James  T.  Lewis,  prtjsideiit. 
The  following  were  nominated:  for  governor,  Harrison  Ludington;  for 
lieutenant-governor,  H.  L.  Eaton;  for  secretary  of  state,  H.  B.  Warner;  for 
stat'.>  treasurer,  Henry  Baetz ;  for  attorney-general,  J.  R.  Bennett ;  for  super- 
intendent of  instruction,  Robert  Graham. 

The  Democratic  State  Convention  is  called  to  meet  at  Milwaukee  on  the 
8th  of  September. 

Inasmuch  as  this  history  will  close  on  the  Ist  of  August  of  th3  present 
year,  1875,  it  will,  of  course,  be  imi^ssible  to  refer  to  future  events.     Both 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


665 


the  political  parties  are  very  coiifiJoiit  of  the  result  of  the  election  of  their 
Statu  ticket  the  approaching-  campaign.  It  will  undoubtedly  be  an  active 
canvas,  as  it  will  bo  the  last  held  prior  to  the  presidential  election  of  1870. 

In  writincf  u))  the  public  events  of  the  Territorial  and  Statu  Governments, 
it  has  been  the  dcsis^n  of  the  compiler  to  give  an  unbiassed  account  of  public 
occurrences,  and  measures  of  public  policy.  The  time  has  not  arrived  for  a 
writer  on  the,  history  of  this  State  to  give  his  own  views  on  these  matiers 
freely,  without  giving  offence.  Parties  are  still  on  the  field  of  action  who 
came  here  in  the  early  day,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  political  history 
of  the  State  and  Territory,  and  were  honest  and  decided  in  their  convic- 
tions, whether  right  or  wrong.  The  future  historian  will  be  better  pre- 
pared to  write  what  is  now  unwritten. 

The  information  contained  in  this  volume  has  been  collated  from  original 
documents  and  authorities;  and  it  is  hoped  that  few,  if  any,  important 
errors  will  be  found. 

Since  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin  was  organized,  it  has  had  fourteen  gov- 
ernors, —  three  under  territorial  rule,  and  eleven  as  a  .State.  The  Territorial 
govi'rnors  were,  Henry  Dodge,  James  1).  Doty,  and  Nathaniel  P.  Tallmadge. 
Thesi'  men  have  all  gon"  to  their  rest.  Thi!  first  State  governor  was  Xelson 
Di'wi'v,  who  still  remains  a  quiet  citizen  of  the  .State.  The  second  was 
L?^(inurd  J.  l'"ar\vell.  now  residing  at  Gr:uit  City,  Worth  County,  Mo.  The 
Ihinl,  William  A.  llarstow,  died  some  years  since,  in  Kansas.  The  fourth, 
Coles  I'lashford.  is  now  secretary  of  the  Territory  of  Arizona.  The  fifth, 
Alexander  W.  Randall,  dieil  a  few  years  since,  at  Elmira,  X.Y.  The  si.xth, 
Louis  P.  Ilarvi'y,  died  in  ollice  in  18(1:.'.  The  seventh,  Edward  .Salomon,  is 
now  jiraetl.sing  law  in  New  York  City.  The  eighth,  Janu'S  T  Lewis,  is  a 
quiet  citizen  of  Colnmbus.  in  this  .State.  The  ninth,  Lucius  KaireliiM,  is 
now  consul  at  Liveriiool.  Ivig.  The  tenth,  C.  C.  Washburn,  retired  from 
olliee  on  the  inauguration  of  his  successor,  William  II.  Taylor,  the  eleventh 
governor,  on  the  0th  of  January.  1874.  The  lieutenant-governors  have  been 
John  K.  Holmes,  .S.  W.  lieall,  Timothy  Burns,  all  dead;  J.  T.  Lewis,  after- 
wards governor;  .v.  Me.\rthur,  Supreme  Court  judge  in  Wasliingtun  City; 
L.  1).  Campbell, deceased:  15.  (i.  Noble,  now  in  New  York;  Edward  .Salomon 
l)(-cami' governor  on  the  death  of  (iov.  Harvey;  Wyman  Spooner.  residing 
at  i;ik  Horn.  Wis.;  Thadileus  C.  Pound,  doing  business  at  Chippewa  Falls, 
Wis. ;  M.  II.  Pettitt,  deceased;  and  C.  D.  Parker,  the  p^^sent  incumbent. 


CHAPTER  LXVT. 


SKETCHES  OF  COUNTIES. 


The  Agi-ii'tilt\iral,  Jlinernl,  Lumbering.  Educational,  and  Manufacturing  Eo- 
sources  and  Developments  of  Wisconsin,  by  Counties  —  Notes  and  Statistics 
of  the  Leading  Cities  of  Wiscoasin. 


Ik  addition  to  the  foregoing  general,  civil,  and  political  history  of  the 
State,  we  give  the  following  sketches  of  the  several  counties,  by  which  the 
reader  may  become  familiar  with  the  various  interests  and  industries  of 
the  State,  got  a  view  of  the  jirincipal  cities,  and  observe  tlie  relative  growth 
of  various  localities.  AV'iscon^iu  is  a  great  State:  its  undeveloped  resources 
are  marvellous  to  contemplate :  its  developments  in  agriculture  and  manu- 
facturing are  well  advanced,  and  in  a  prosperous  condition.  The  internal 
improvements  of  the  State  testify  to  the  intelligence  and  enterprise  of  the 
people.  Everywhere  throughout  the  State,  evidences  of  thrift  and  industry 
are  to  be  seen,  as  a  perusal  of  the  following  county  sketches  will  show. 


AnAMS  County.  1  —  Wo  refei'  re.iders 
to  tlie  ai  companying  map  foi'  I  bo  loca- 
tion of  the  several  counties.  Tbo  .south- 
ern part  of  tbo  county  is  rolliivj,  and 
tbo  central  part  tlat.  it  gradually  rises 
from  south  to  north.  The  soil  is  of  a 
sandy  loiim,  well  adapted  to  the  rniiing 
of  rye,  oats,  barley,  corn,  &c.  There 
Is  some  wortliless  land  in  the  county, 
but  also  much  that  is  very  good;  atul, 
with  proper  culllvaticm,  it  can  bo  niado 
to  bear  excellent  crops. 

TlievL  aro  about  one  hundred  and 
tbirty-nino  thousand  acres  of  land  in 
tbo  county;  and  fifty  thousand  of  those 
aro  under  cultivation.  About  eighty 
per  cent  of  that  now  unimproved  is 
capable  of  cultivation.  About  llfty  per 
cent  of  tbo  l.iinl  is  owned  by  actual 
settlers,  at  a  price  of  from  two  dollars 
to  thirty  dollars  per  aero;  forty-nino 
thousand  live  hundred  acres,  by  tbo 
State,  at  fifty  <'ents  per  acre;  and  forty 
thousand  to  llfty  thousand  acres  is  yet 
owned  by    tbo   General   Govcruinent, 

•  Wo  aro  Indebted  for  mntorlale  for  this 
aketch  to  C.  A.  Copron  and  A.  O.  Holm  of 
friendship,  WU.  —  C.  B.  T. 

656 


wbicli  can  bo  entered  as  homesteads; 
and  the  nio.st  of  this  will,  if  ttiken  up 
by  actual  settlers,  aiul  properly  culti- 
vated, make  good  and  proli  table  farms. 
About  four  thousand  five  himdred  acres 
are  yot  owned  by  the  Jlilwaukeo  and 
La  Crosse  llailniad  Company;  and  a 
large  portion  of  this  is  still  occupied 
by  actual  settlers.  These  lands  are 
generally  of  a;;ood  (luality. 

The  county  is  well  watered  by  beau- 
tiful numing  streams;  aiul  many  water- 
powcrs  exist  that  are  yet  unimproved, 
especially  in  the  central  part  of  the 
coiuity,  north  and  south,  on  White 
Creek,  and  the  IJig  and  Little  llochei- 
Gris,  The  prevailing  tiudier  is  oak,  a.sh, 
and  maple  along  tbo  streams,  and  oak, 
ash,  and  pine  on  the  uplands.  There  are 
many  valuable  stone  quarries  m  tlie 
county,  and  one  or  two  good  brick- 
jard.s.  Clay  foi  the  making  of  the 
very  best  brick  is  readily  found  almost 
anywhere  in  the  county.  The  Wis- 
con  ■ill  lliver  runs  along  the  western 
border  of  the  county;  and  Uig  Rocbe-il- 
Gris,  Little  Jtochc-h-Gris,  and  White 
Creek,  are  beautiful  streams  running 
into  the  Wisconsin  Kiver.    Lake  Jor- 


BtSTOrr  OF   WISCONSIN. 


657 


dnn  Is  Ritnatod  In  the  soiith-ea^iterii 
part  of  the  rounty;  is  about  four 
miles  long,  aiul  two  nnil  a  liiilf  widu; 
ami  is  a  very  pii'tiirOHqtie  body  of 
water.  The  county  poor-lionso  is  very 
liuaiirifiilly  looateil  upon  tiio  banks  of 
this  lake."  Kisli  Is  found  in  this  lake 
in  great  ahundnni'O,  as  well  as  in  tlie 
streams;  and  game  is  very  plentiful  iu 
tlie  northern  part  of  the  rounty,  eon- 
sisting  of  deer,  prnlric-chickcns,  proiise, 
qiiuils,  ducks  of  all  kinds,  wild  geese, 
and  other  smnll  game. 

The  principal  source  of  industry  in 
tliis  county  is  agriculture;  the  crops 
raided  being  wheat,  rye,  corn,  barley, 
and  all  kinds  of  gairden  vegetables. 
All  kinds  of  roots  are  very  prolilic. 
Some  attention  is  also  paid  to  tlie  pro- 
duction of  lumber  in  the  northern  and 
north- we  Item  parts  of  the  county.  Cran- 
benics  are  cultivated  to  some  extent, 
and  are  soon  destined  to  play  an  im- 
portant part  in  the  industry  of  the 
county.  A  large  portion  of  llio  county 
is  well  adapted  to  the  ctiltivation  oif 
fruit;  and  twenty-live  thousand  acres 
liavo  been  purchased  by  parties  for  that 
purpose  (done.  Hops  are  also  raised  to 
some  extent;  and  some  attention  has 
been  pniil  to  the  rai.nng  of  the  sugar- 
beet.  The  county  is  proverbially 
healthy  the  water  good,  and  the  cli- 
mate about  the  same  as  in  the  other 
central  portiim.s  of  the  State.  There  i* 
a  fonndery  in  operation  at  Uig  Spring, 
also  a  machine-shop,  iron,  lathe,  an<l 
planing  mill  at  that  place.  There  are 
also,  in  the  county,  several  good  ilour- 
ing-mills,  numerous  small  saw-mills, 
aiul  one  of  the  largest  steam  saw-mills 
in  the  State,  sittiatcd  at  Itarnum. 

J  iil.vndCountv.'  —  Ashlanil  County 
is  till!  centre  county  of  the  northern  bor- 
der of  the  State,  on  Lake  Superior.  It 
contains  an  area  of  about  one  million 
two  hundred  thousaiul  acres,  of  which 
ui)\vards  of  one  hundred  and  llfty  thou- 
sand acres  belong  to  the  State,  while  a 
large  majority  of  the  territ(n-y  embraced 
within  its  limits  still  I)eh)ngs  to  the 
General  (lovcrnuient;  large  tracts  being 
valuable  ore  and  pine  lands.  Ashland 
Hay  extends  south-west,  into  the  inte- 
rior of  the  county,  some  twenty  miles, 
afforiling  a  most  perfect  harbor  for 
coiniEierce,  and  the  largest  white-fish 
fishery  on  the  lake.  Upon  this  luag- 
nilicsnt  sheet  of  water  is  situated  the 
new  town  of  Ashland,  a  terminus  of 
the  Wisconsin  Central  llailroad.  The 
I'enokee  iron  range  lies  east  of  Ash- 
land, about  twcnty-tliree  miles,  and 
is  pierced  by  the  Wisconsin  Central, 
which  taps  the  country  that  will  be 
developed,  affording  excellent  facilities 

'  Wo  nro  indebted  to  8.  S.  Flfleld  of  Ash- 
land County  {or  tbe  laatetlaU  for  tlii*  aketch. 
-C.  U.X. 


for  shipping  ores  and  mantifactiired 
iron.  The  work  of  prospecting  these 
vast  mineral  dcpo.<it3  is  now  being 
pushed  ahead;  and  the  parties  engaged 
receive  the  most  flattering  encourage- 
ment. Iron  ore,  at  a  depth  of  eight 
feet,  has  alremly  been  taken  out,  that 
is  jiulged,  by  competent  men,  to  yield 
sixty  per  cent.  If  the  iron  companies 
arc  successful  in  opening  their  ndnes, 
they  will,  in  a  very  short  time,  give  em- 
ployment to  a  vast  army  of  miners  and 
other  laborers,  at  good  wages. 

"The  country  in  the  iron  regions  1.^ 
rough  and  uneven ;  but  tlie  range  of 
hills  is  covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of 
maple  and  other  hard  wood.  The  soil 
is  good  for  grain  ami  ether  prodticts;  but 
the  seasons  are  too  short  to  raise  corn, 
with  the  excepticm  of  the  small  Yankee 
variety.  All  varieties  of  vegetables  can 
be  grown  successfully,  and  yield  largely. 
The  country  is  a  natural  one  for  tame 
grass,  which,  where  tried,  does  s])leu- 
ilidl.v.  The  whole  county  iUieavily  tim- 
bered with  pine  and  hcmloi'k  forests, 
interspersed  with  belts  of  hard  wood. 
A  number  of  large  streams,  together 
with  numerous  branches  and  springs, 
aitording  abundant  water-powers,  water 
the  whole  northern  slope.  Several  good- 
sized  inland  lakes,  full  of  line  lish,  are 
to  be  found  in  different  portions  of  the 
county.  Fruit  does  well,  far  better 
than  in  the  more  central  portions  of  the 
State.  Apples,  pears,  tamo  and  w'-,l 
plums,  thnve  and  grow  r.ipidly.  Of 
course  there  are  no  orcharils  as  yet; 
but  the  experimental  gardens  prove,  to 
a  certainty,  that  fruit  can  bo  success- 
fully raised.  There  are  .several  apple- 
trees  now  in  Ashland,  wlieio  nice  apples 
can  be  seen  growing.  Small  fruits  can 
ba  rai«e<l  here  as  well  as  anywhere. 
The  whole  country  is  a  dense  wilder- 
ness, but  is  now  receiving  that  atten- 
tion it  has  so  long  deserved;  and  with 
the  coming  of  railroads  will  also  come 
tlie  sturdy  emigraut,  the  skilled  me- 
chanic, the  adventurous  American,  and 
the  genuine  inquisitive  Yankee,  who, 
with  l.is  inventive  genius,  will  soon 
help  to  make  the  wooded  hills  resound 
with  the  lium  of  industry.  It  is  the 
beginning  of  a  now  era  in  the  history 
of  our  noble  State,  —  one  laden  with 
great  enterprises  and  wonderful  devel- 
opments. The  groat  inland  sea  of 
North  \incrica  can  no  longer  be  a 
mere  outlhie  on  the  maps,  to  be  talked 
about  by  school-chihlren,  but  the  live 
and  busy  centre  of  commerce,  bearing 
burdens  from  Kastcrn  climes  an<l  the 
fertile  North-west,  to  the  l^ast  Atlantic 
cities  and  commercial  depots." 

ItAVFiELD  CouNTV.'  — This  county 
joins  Ashland  County  on  the  north 
and  west.    It   has   an    area   of   about 

>  I  nni  Indobteil  for  this  ekctoh  to  Meiuni. 
S.  8.  nUelJ  and  J.  D.  Chutteiideu.  —  U.  U.  T. 


658 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


elglit  liunilred  thousand  acres,  of  | 
which  a  lai-jjo  portion  hclonij  to  the , 
State,  anil  are  Known  as  "  hcIiouI,  nni- 
vor-iity.  andswnnip  hmils."  The'^o  lands, 
althoii.^h  denoniinatcil  "  Hwanip-limds," 
are,  in  many  instances,  far  from  holnj; 
HO,  OS,  in  a  majority  of  cases,  only  a 
frai'tion  of  tlio  suhdivision  is  wet  ami 
marsliy ;  tlie  hahuice  heini;  IiIkIi  and  itry. 
The  lands  contain  vast  belts  of  valnahle 
pine  and  other  timber,  and  are  boin){ 
entered  very  fast  by  pine-land  specnlat- 
ors,  as  also  are  the  ({overnment  lands; 
a  large  portion  of  the  county  still  be- 
lonjjin'i  to  the  United  States.  ISayilelil 
County  has  more  sandy  soil  than  Ash- 
land; and,  on  the  whole,  the  timber  is 
not  as  dense  as  tlint  of  either  Uoimlas 
on  the  west,  or  Ashland.  The  viltaso 
of  Bayfield  is  the  county-seat.  It  con- 
tains a  population  of  abiiiit  .i  thousaml 
8onla.  It  is  a  well-built  plac^e;  contains 
several  saw-mills  and  stores;  and  is  the 
head-cpiarters  of  one  of  the  largest 
Ushing-houses  on  the  lake.  This  Hrm 
ship  annunlly  ten  thousand  packages 
of  white-tlsli  and  trout.  Thoy  go  to 
Chica;.;o  and  liuiTalo  markets  princi- 
pally. Others  do  an  extensive  business 
in  tins  line;  and  tlie  catch  can  be  safely 
set  down  at  fifteen  tliousand  packa.ires 
annually.  The  United  States  Land  Of- 
fice for  the  Xortliern  District  of  Wis- 
consin Is  located  at  Bavtield;  and, 
during  the  present  year,  business  has 
been  quite  brisk  in  the  office.  The  har- 
bor of  Kayllcid  is  uii<loubte'll.v  the  best 
on  Lake  Superior,  and  is  accessible  from 
three  points  of  the  compass  for  ship- 
pin'j;  As  a  harbor-refuge,  it  is  visited 
uiiring  the  season  by  almost  every  vessel 
that  plies  the  lake.  During  the  summer 
season,  Bayfield  is  crowded  with  ploas- 
nre-sceker.s from  all  parts  of  tlie  Uniin. 
It  is  fast  becoming  a  noted  wateriug- 
plare,  and,  in  a  few  years,  will  e.scel  all 
places  of  resort  in  the  north,  it  has  al- 
read.v  two  good  aiul  well-kept  hotels, 
the  Bayfield  House  and  Sniith'a  Hotel. 
The  count.v  is  in  good  condition  finan- 
cially, and  prosperous.  The  building  of 
the  Central  Radroad  to  Ashland  helps, 
rather  than  retards,  the  growth  of  Bay- 
field County. 

Houghton  Point  is  another  beautiful 
place  in  Bayfield  County,  and  bills  fair 
to  rival  Baytield  as  a  place  of  resort. 
The  scenery  about  Ashland,  aiul  the 
group  of  islands  known  as  the  "  Apos- 
tles, is  probably  the  finest  on  I.,ake 
Superior  in  iiiau.v  respects,  and  annual- 
ly attracts  the  tourist  and  traveller 
to  view  the  ever-beautiful  landscapes. 
Bayfield  Count.v  has  many  sources 
of  wealth,  and  will,  ere  longi  contain  a 
thrif t.v  and  prosperous  populati(Ui| 

Bakuon  Count  v.'  —  The  surface    of 

>  1  wlsli  to  acknonledge  tho  asKiotanco  nf 
Or\'illo  Uri\toii  in  tlio  preparatlou  of  this 
Bketcli.  — O.'U.  r. 


this  count.v  is  gently  rolling,  although 
the  northern  part  Is  hill.v  and  s\van.,>y. 
The  southern  and  central  portion  of  ilie 
county  has  a  soil  of  dark  clay  loam; 
while  the  north-east  part,  which  isprai- 
rie,  is  lighter,  and  mostly  sand.  There 
are  about  five  hundred  and  si.\teen 
thousand  acres  in  the  county,  twenty 
thousand  of  which  are  under  culti- 
vation; and  about  nine-tenths  of  the 
balance  are  capable  of  being  worked. 
Of  the  whole  amount,  ntarly  twenty 
thousand  acres,  owned  by  actual  set- 
tlers, are  held  at  an  average  price  of 
seven  dollars  per  ai^re.  In  the  neigh- 
borhood of  eleven  thousand  acres  are 
State  lands,  located  throughout  tho 
county,  and  for  sale  at  from  .seventy- 
five  cents  to  one  dollar  and  a  half  per 
acre.  Subject  to  entr.v  under  the  Home- 
stead Law,  and  owned  by  the  tieneral 
Government,  are  one  liuudred  and 
ninety-two  thousand  acres,  mostly  cov- 
ered b.v  heavy  timber.  The  facilities  for 
water-powers  are  excellent.  Streams 
traverse  tho  count.v  that  are  capable  of 
indefinite  improvement.  'Wliiie-pine, 
wlii:eand  reel  oak,  uniplc,  ash,  linden, 
balsam,  and  aspen  are  the  principal 
timber.  Tho  natural  meadows  consti- 
tute a  very  attractive  feature  of  this 
region.  .Some  are  quite  extensive;  but 
tlicy  generall.v  range  from  five  to  ten 
Hires,  and  are  scattered  along  river- 
bottoms  and  creeks  throughout  the  en- 
tiro  count.v.  Their  present  available 
area  can  lie  doubled  b.y  a  little  hilior 
in  clearing  tho  nutrgins  of  brush,  and 
liuriuug  the  ground.  Tlie  principal 
varieties  of  grass  are  the  flat-leaved,  rod- 
top,  and  blue-joint.  All  are  of  good 
qualit.v  and  luxuriant  growth,  parti- 
cularly the  blue-joint,  which  iften  at- 
tains the  heiglit  of  fouv  or  five  feet, 
producing  a  marvellous  yield  of  coar.so 
but  verv  sweet  and  excellent  liny.  Be- 
ing indigenous,  the.y  exhibit  but  little 
tendenc.v  to  run  out.  bomo  of  these 
meadows  have  been  mowed  by  lumber- 
men for  twenty  years,  without  any 
perceptilde  diminution  of  croj).  The 
facilities  which  here  exist  for  wafer- 
power  are  practicall.v  inexliaiistible. 
Taking  into  account  only  such  as  can 
be  clicapl.v  utilized,  they  are  more  than 
surttciont  to  turn  tlie  wheels  of  all  the 
manufai'turing  establishments  in  Mas- 
sachusetts; and  considered  in  connec- 
tion with  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  tho 
great  nuantii.v  of  timber  adapted  to 
luecliaiiical  purposes,  and  certain  other 
conditions,  real  and  pos.siblc,  that  ren- 
der this  region  favorable  for  the  ilevel- 
opiuent  of  large  inantifactnring  inter- 
ests, this  vast  water-power  ossumes  a 
peculiar  importance.  With  the  rich  Iron 
mines  of  Superior  lying  in  close  neigh- 
borhood on  tho  north,  and  the  prairies 
and  bottom-lands  of  the  Missi.ssippi 
Volley  bordering  on  the  soutli,  only  a 


BISTOJIY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


Go9 


few  miles  of  railrooil  are  necessary  for 
tlie  prolltable  employment  of  lalior  and 
capital  in  foniideriu.'*,  woollun-iiiills, 
wa^ou-factories,  and  all  tlio  wood  anil 
irini-workin;;  sliop.n  for  tlio  inannfactnrc 
of  farniinK-iiiiplements  and  doinestii^ 
furnitiiio  ilenianded  by  tlio  H''ea'est 
agricultural  region  in  tlie  world.  As 
vet,  lint  little  has  lieen  done  for  the 
improvement  of  tlie<e  e.Mraonlinary  ad- 
vantaite-*.  liiHiienced.  however,  liy  their 
attractions,  and  believing  in  tlio  prom- 
ising future  of  IJaiTon  County,  a  few 
enterprising  capitalists  and  Imslness- 
men  have  erccteil  several  line  mills  for 

Eroviiling  the  settler^  with  lumber  for 
uilding-pnrposes,  hi   '  converting  their 
grain  into  (lour  and  fi 

Anotlier  great  mater,  interest,  more 
peculiar  to  this  region  i  n  any  other, 
consists  in  e.\tensivo  lieu  if  cafliiiite, 
or  Indian  pipe-stono,  a  sori  of  red  clay 
formation,  lound  in  stratilied  ilepo<i(s 
of  various  thicknesses,  convenient  for 
quarrying,  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the 
county.  According  to  tlie  analysis  of 
Dr.  Jackson  of  Ilostim,  as  reported  in 
"Silliiuan's  .rnnrnal,"  it  is  composed  of, 
in  a  linndred  grains:  — 


AVater     .       . 

Silica      .       . 

Alumina 

Magnesia 

8.4  grains 
.    4S'.'      '■ 
.     2H.2       " 
.       (i.O       " 

J'ero.x.  iron    . 

.       5.0       " 

Ox.  niaiigane-;o 
Carb.  lime 
Loss 

.     o..--.     " 

.       2.(i       " 
.       1.0       " 

The  practical  importance  of  this  sin- 
gular compound  cannot  easily  bo  over- 
rated. It  is  of  a  brownisli  crimson 
or  muhogauy  color,  exceedingly  tine- 
grained,  susceptible  of  a  high  polish, 
and,  when  llrst  taken  from  tbo  tpiarry, 
is  so  chalky  and  soft  as  to  be  easily  ciit 
with  a  knife,  or  dressed  with  a  plane, 
yet,  after  a  few  days'  exposure  to  the  air 
anil  liglit,  assumes  a  Hmt-liko  tenacity 
and  hiiidness  which  resists  the  action 
of  moisture,  lieat,  and  cold.  For  cen- 
tre-tables, counters,  chimney-pieces,  tes- 
Bellatcd  pavements,  facings  of  buildings, 
columns,  mimnnicntSj  and  busts,  for 
every  tliinj'  in  which  it  is  nece<sary  to 
unite  the  lieauty  of  marble  with  the 
strength  of  granite,  it  possesses  an 
ailaptation  ot  ipialities  which  need  only 
to  be  known  to  create  a  demand  that 
even  the  exhaustion  of  these  beds  may 
not  supply.  Its  exquisite  rh'hness  anil 
beauty,  the  great  ease  with  which  it  can 
ho  wronglit,  together  with  the  fact  of 
its  scarcity  (geologists  having  reported 
its  existence  at  but  one  other  pomt  on 
the  whole  continent),  vill  render  it  a 
source  of  wealth  to  this  county,  in  gen- 
erations to  come,  which  miglit  not  lie 
RMri>assed  by  mines  of  silver  and 
gold. 


Unowv  CoDNTV.i— This  was  the  first 
point  settled  in  the  State.  The  county 
lias  an  area  of  about  four  hundred  and 
llfty  .square  miles,  h)cated  at  the  head  of 
(ireen  Hay,  a  mighty  arm  of  Lake  Mich- 
igan, nearly  a  hundrcMl  mile<  in  length, 
and  witli  an  average  breadth  of  lifteon 
miles.  The  mean  latitude  is  about  44° 
nortli,  being  a  little  higher  than  the 
southern  coast  of  I''rance.  The  climate 
is  much  colder  than  is  experiemed  in 
Kiirope  at  tlie  same  parallel;  but  such  is 
the  dryness  of  the  atmosphere,  and 
steadiness  of  the  temperature,  tliat  the 
winters  are,  in  some  respects,  tlio  most 
pleas, int,  as  they  are  certainly  the  most 
liealtliful,  portions  of  the  year.  A  solid 
bed  ot  dry  snow  for  nearly  three 
months  affords  highways  of  nniiqualled 
facility  for  passage  and  transportation. 
It  is  a  gratifying  siglit,  on  a  tine  wiutcr'.s 
da.v,  to  witness  tlio  processions  of  Bel- 
gian and  other  farmers,  witli  their  sleds 
loaded  with  shingles,  made  by  tlieirown 
hands,  from  wood  grown  on  their  own 
soil,  and  weniling  towards  tlie  city  of 
(ireen  Hay,  sure  of  being  waylaiil  by 
some  eager  shingle-buyer  "cash  in 
banil."  The  only  unpleasant  portion 
of  the  year  is  the  two  months  in  the 
spring,  beginning  about  the  Ktth  ot 
March,  dii.  ing  which  period  the  weath- 
er is  usuali.>  wet,  win.ly,  and  variable; 
but  with  tlie  middle  of  May  commences 
a  season  of  sunshine  and  warmth,  and 
ripening  power,  which  urges  on  every 
kind  of  vegetation  with  a  rapidity  hard- 
ly eiiualled  at  any  other  spot  of  the 
earth's  snrfuce.  The  autumn,  however, 
commencing  about  8ept.  2H,  is  the  pecu- 
liar boast  of  the  climate  in  this  part  of 
the  North-west.  The  cool  but  comforta- 
ble weather,  the  sunny  days,  and  clear, 
frosty  nights,  have  made  tlie  Indian- 
summer  ot  this  region  famous  and  at- 
tractive throughout  America.  The 
county  is  ex<^eedingly  healthy. 

There  is  hardly  an  acre  of  barren  land 
in  tlie  county.  'i"he  prevailing  character 
of  the  soil  may  be  called  a  sandy  loam, 
easily  worked,  and  susceptible  Of  the 
highest  degree  of  cultivation.  Other 
descriptions  of  soil,  of  course,  exist, 
varying  with  the  changes  of  surface, 
the  proximity  of  water,  &c, ;  bur,  what- 
ever the  peculiarity  of  particular  spots 
of  ground,  the  one  characteristic  of 
/nrtililij  may  be  relied  upon  as  existing 
almost  everywhere  with  slight  excep- 
tion. 

The  noble  Fox  Iiiver,  navigable  for 
the  largest  vessels,  finds  its  outlet  with- 
in tlie  limits  of  tlie  county,  and  fur- 
nishes the  best  harbor  on  the  Great 
Lakes;  while  its  several  tributaries,  and 
other  streams  which  flow  into  the  bay, 
make  this  peculiarly  well  watered.    As 

'  Tlio  roader  is  indebted  to  Hon.  J.  S.  Cur- 
tis of  Ureen  13ay  iur  tills  sketcU,— C.  li.  I. 


660 


msTORY  OF  wrscoNsrs. 


mlf^lit  l)e  expected  In  mich  a  land  of 
wodd  and  Htroains,  tlioro  Is  no  diflioiilty 
Buywlioro  In  obtnlnlnu  well*  siinplieil 
with  ul>nndant  8prinj;-«ater,  by  di;."iing 
•  nioilcrotn  dii^tani  o  below  the  Hurfa<;o. 
Tlio  sctllcM  of  this  county  were  of 
Frencli  oi'l<;ln;  and  we  may  add  that 
the  French  l<  still  hpokon  here,  i)orhaps 
more  oxtonsivcly  than  any  other  tonsuo. 
The  Ucl'^ians  form  the  most  numerous 
portion  of  the  l'"rench-Hpeakin({  rare, 
and,  with  the  patient  Inilustry  rharac- 
terlnticof  their  nation,  are  transforming 
a  wilderness  into  fruitful  fields.  Oer- 
inaiis  from  every  part  of  the  "fatherland" 
art  here  workiiij'  their  way  upwards 
with  an  intelli^jeiico,  Independence,  and 
euer){y  which  iilway.s  command  suc- 
cess. The  Scandinavian  racet,  especially 
Norwegians  and  Danes,  are  amouj;  us 
in  con.siileiaMe  numbers,  and  brini;  with 
them  Rome  Hterlin^  traits  of  character, 
which  insure  them  a  welcome  from  all 
classes  of  our  people.  One  of  our  most 
thrivin;.?  towns  is  almost  entirely  occn- 

J(icd  by  euu;;rants  of  this  class.  The 
ndcfatigablo  iJutchmuii  is  here  also, 
and  has  beitowed  the  name  of  "Hol- 
land" upon  one  of  our  most  prosperous 
and  (p-owiu;^  a;;ricultunil  towns.  The 
oinninre<ent  Irishman  is  hero  too,  as 
every wlioro,  toiliu;;  successfully  to  tjaiu 
a  co'infort.-iblo  homo  for  himself,  and, 
with  his  Hturd.v  arm  and  bravo  spirit, 
liolpinjj  to  build  up  the  fortunes  of  the 
connnunify  in  which  ho  dwells.  Some 
of  the  best  farms  and  farmiu;.;  lands  in 
the  county  nro  held  by  Irishmen.  The 
native  American  clement  of  the  popu- 
lation ma.v  Ito  counteil  of  the  best  class; 
beinn  mostly  composed  of  orijjinal  em- 
i;jrauts  from  Kew  York,  I'ennsylvania, 
and  the  diiTereat  States  of  New  Knjj- 
land,  or  of  the  descendants  of  such. 

"  To  judge  of  what  Clreen  llav  and  Its 
adjuncts  nniat  become  in  the  future,  it 
^\iil  bo  necessary  to  po  beyond  their  in- 
corporated limits,  and  take  up  the  map 
of  the  Kastern,  Northern,  and  North- 
western States  and  Territoriea,  and  after 
carefully  comparinscertain  googi-aphical 
points,  great  I'onimon  centres,  the  asri- 
cultural,  luml)ering,  mineral,  and  other 
assential  advantajjes,  with  the  topogra- 
phy of  the  country,  railroail  connections 
(j)rescut  and  prospective),  and  interna- 
tional watcr-counnunications,  —  after 
comparing  all  these  advantai'cs  with  the 
natural  advontages  of  other  localities,  it 
is  b.v  no  nujaus  a  very  great  hazard  to 
predict  that  Cireen  Ba.v  and  the  adjatent 
towns  named,  will,  before  the  close  of 
the  present  century,  bo  the  largest  town 
in  the  State  of  Wisconsin." 

The  advantages  of  Green  Bay,  Fort 
Howard,  and  lie  Fere,  have  been  thus 
summed  up;  — 

Ist,  It  Is  two  hundred  mllo.s  nearer  tide- 
water bv  water-course  than  Chicago. 

2J,  Ilie  Canada  end  of  the  Noitli  Fa- 


cif.c  Railroad  ha*  just  Iveen  lot  to  Jlessn. 
Ferry  H.  Smith  and  George  L.  Duiilap 
of  Chicago,  which  secures  Its  completion 
to  the  "Sioux,"  and  from  tlience  we:it- 
ward  to  Ka.st  Canada,  probalily  within 
two  years.  When  this  U  done  (as  It 
must  and  socm  Kill  be)  Green  Hay  will 
bo  nearer  Now  York  by  rail  tliaii  Chi- 
cago is. 

.'id,  Green  Ila.y  will  be  nearer  Boston 
by  rail  thai;  ciji<5ago  is,  by  over  two 
hundred  ndles. 

4tli,  Green  Bay  will  bo  nearer  tide- 
water b.v  rail  than  Chicago,  by  some 
three  hundred  nnlei. 

5tli,  St.  I'aul,  and  all  west  nnd  imme- 
diately sourli-we^t  from  that  point,  will 
be  nearer  New  York,  via  (ireen  Ba.v,  by 
rail,  than  ria  Chii'ago,  by  over  three 
hundreil  miles. 

(itli,  Sladison  and  Milwaukee  will  ho 
nearer  New  York,  via  Green  Bay,  by 
rail,  than  via  Chicago. 

7th,  All  tow\is  (in  the  Mississippi 
obovo  Prairie  dn  Cliion,  and  all  towns 
on  the  Missouri  above  Omaha,  will  reach 
New  York  by  rail,  vin  Green  Bay,  nearer 
and  quiflcer  than  ria  Chicago. 

Ktb,  Passengers  and  freiglit  from  the 
Pacilic  coast,  over  the  Central  Facilio 
Koad,  ma.v  reach  BoUon  two  Inindrcd 
ndles  nearer,  via  CJrcen  Itay,  than  via 
Chii'ago,  anil  New  Yoi-k  by  abo\it  the 
same  di  itanco. 

!lth,  fJreen  Ba.v  Is  becoming  quite  a 
nulroad  centre.  Three  roadn  (all  com- 
peling)nro  now  regularly  running  into 
that  place.  A  few  months  will  install 
the  fourth;  while  two  more  are  in  prog- 
ress of  construction,  and  still  three 
others  in  contemplation;  all  of  which, 
wlien  completeil,  will  give  this  great 
centre  some  nine  roads. 

10th,  This  l<  not  oidy  the  best  luml)er 
region  (ini'luding  the  !'ango  westwani) 
In  the  worhl;  Imt  between  this  and  the 
St.  Croi.\,  ranging  north  and  south  to  tlie 
tinibor-liudt,  is  a  zone  of  some  thirty 
thousand  square  ndles  of  bard  and  soft 
tindier-forests,  as  good  as  the  world  pro- 
duces. 

lltli.  Hero  (at  Do  Fere)  is  a  spl'indid 
water-power,  capable  of  running  three- 
score and  ten  mdls,  machine-shops,  and 
manufactories.  Wliilo  lake  boats  may 
come  within  a  stone's  throw  of  the  cata- 
ract that  pours  over  the  dam,  vessels  di- 
rect from  Liveipool  may  safel.y  approach 
within  sixty  rods  of  this  water-power, 

rjth,  Iroii  ore,  the  best  in  tlio  world, 
abounds  on  three  sides  of  Green  Bay, 
within  easy  distance,  —  oiiougli  to  sup- 
ply the  worhl  with  Iron  for  centuries. 

1.3th,  Tlio  soil  throughout  the  thnbered 
zone,  witli  the  exception  of  here  and 
there  a  sanely  strip,  i\  unsurpassed  in 
fertility,  and,  being  liullgenous  to  the 
grasses,  will  yet  rival  Orange  and  Chau- 
tauqmt  Coiuities(N'ow  York)  in  the  pro- 
duction of  butter  and  cheese;  while,  for 


mSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


CGI 


most  of  the  oereul  productions,  It  has  no 
■uperior,  exfepthig  oom. 

14tli,  The  Fox  niul  Kant  Itlvers  f  iirninh 
over  twenty  miles  of  livcr-fronta^c, 
every  rod  of  which  nii);lit  be  used  for 
dockyards. 

ICtli,  (Ireen  Day  is  a  land-locked  linr- 
bor,  unsurpassed  In  security,  extent,  and 
conveuieuco,  liv  any  in  tlio  worlil. 

Kith,  From  tlie  above  fiu:ts  it  must  lie 
apparent,  tliat  for  nnmufacturin);  and 
conniiercinl,  for  a'^iicultiuiU,  minin;;, 
and  lunilwriu);  facilities,  (Jrnen  Day  and 
environs  Iris  no  peer  in  all  the  Great 
SVe-it,  if,  Inileed,  it  lias  on  this  continent. 

ITtli,  Tlio  mineral  and  luniberin;^  ma- 
terial are  liere  all  at  hand.  I'ower  is 
here;  and,  when  manufactured  into 
wares  and  macbincry.  Nature  has  fur- 
nished the  additional'  facility  for  trans- 
portation by  an  adoipiato  water-course. 

What  more,  it  mav  bo  aiked,  does 
Green  IJa.v  and  her  ''partners"  want? 
Anil  yet  one  tliiiiifMhclncketh,  — capital. 
Give  to  Green  liay  capital  iu  aducpiate 
meed,  and  in  ten  years  she  would  num- 
ber one  bundreil  thousand  inhnliltants, 
and  do  more  niani\facturin'^  than  Chi- 
cat;o  and  Milwaukee  combined. 

Take,  for  instance,  tliis  "little  town" 
of  Do  I'ere,  which,  two  or  three  years 
a^o,  was  nothinjj  Imt  a  mere  "  wa.v  sta- 
tion," and  now  does  a  liuiine*s  of  nearly 
live  million  dollars  aininally.  Four  bla-it- 
furnaces  are  now  in  Huccessful  opera- 
tion liere,  with  an  a^j;ro;;ate  capacity  of 
twelve  liundred  tons  of  pig  metal  per 
week.  Thou  the  car-sliops  turn  o\it 
Boino  twelve  cars  per  week.  The  IJolles 
Fish  Kit  estal)lis!inient  turns  out  some 
six  tliousand  kits  per  week,  llesides 
there  ore  numerous  other  o^tablidinients 
tm-niiiK  out  various  articles  of  manu- 
facture, all  employing  Homo  thousand 
laborers  and  artisans.  And  yet  the 
tlireshold  of  capacity  of  water-power 
and  other  facilities  is  scari'ely  reached. 

Ofccn  Da[i,  the  county-seat  of  Drown 
County,  is  one  of  thn  oblest  settled  places 
hi  tiio  State,  having  U^en  Kettlcd  by  the 
French  at  a  very  earlv  period.  Tlie 
present  site  was  platted  in  1H30,  and  was 
called  Navarinn;  and  in  WXi  land  adja- 
cent was  ])latted,  and  called  Astor.  In 
WiO  both  i>lats  were  incorporated  undi^r 
the  name  of  Green  Bay;  in  1854  it  was 
chartered  as  a  city.  It  i«  located  at  the 
head  of  the  bay  which  opens  into  Lake 
Michigan,  and  at  the  mouth  of  Fox 
lliver,  and  is  one  of  the  best  harbors 
on  the  lake.  Tiio  city  is  about  ii  liun- 
dred miles  from  Milwaukee  by  the  Mil- 
waukee and  Northern  llailroad,  and  u 
hundred  and  ninety-one  by  the  .said  road 
from  Chicago.  Since  the  oiiening  of  tlie 
railroails.  Green  Bay  lias  become  a  place 
of  niuch  business;"  and  the  facilities 
wliicii  it  i>ossesses  of  lake,  railroad, 
and  canal  navigation,  can  but  make  it 
one  of  the  most  important  commercial 


cities  in  the  State.  One  of  the  impor- 
tant improvements,  eroded  in  Wt'i,  wa« 
the  extensive  elevator  of  Klmore  and 
Kelley,  Hixty  by  o  liundreil  and  twenty- 
eight  feet,  with  engine  room  adjoining, 
and  a  hundred  feet  high,  of  solia  plank 
walls,  with  a  capacity  of  two  hundred 
and  twenty-live  thousand  bushels  of 
wheat;  elevates  from  railroad  and  river 
for  shipping.  The  same  parties  have 
docks  extending  to  this  structure  eight 
Imndred  feet  cm  the  river.  In  IWid  the 
produceof  IJrown  County  wasesiimated 
at  n  hundred  dollars;  in  1H7I)  it  was  over 
live  million  dollars.  There  are  from 
forty  to  lifty  mills  in  the  country  adja- 
cent,—  lumber  and  Rhinglo  manufacto- 
rict,  —  which  llml  amnrketat  tint  point 
About  eiglity  million  feet  of  luml  cr  are 
marketed  here  annually,  and  over  two 
hundred  inillicm  shingles,  and  six  million 
slaves.  Tlie  city  lias  four  hotels,  an 
elegant  convt-lKUiso,  opera-house.  Tur- 
ners' hull,  nine  churches,  and  four  in  Fort 
Howard  across  the  river,  live  secret  ko- 
ciclies,  and  a  largo  numb'jr  of  mercantile 
establishments  and  mechanical  shops. 

I'opulation,  1H75,  8  Oo7,  and  Fort  How- 
ard :I,(>10. 

Bi'KrALo  County.'  — The  general  to- 
pography of  tlio  county  is  hilly,  with 
rich  valleys  between.  The  soil  is  re- 
markably varied,  especially  in  the  north- 
east jiart.  It  is  for  tlio  most  part  a  light 
dark  hmm,  common  to  black-oak  open- 
ings; but  it  changes  to  the  ri<diest  black 
.soil,  then  to  worthless  sand,  and  egain 
to  clay.  The  perceptible  causes  are 
worthy  of  careful  observation.  There 
are  alnmt  four  hundred  and  sixty  thou- 
sand acres  in  tlie  county,  and  over 
■.',")(t,;!00  acres  entered,  estimated  one  hun- 
dred thousaml  improved:  of  tlie  remain- 
der, two  hnudreil  tliouHUiul  coiilil  be 
cultivated.  Ncarl.y  two  hundred  thou- 
sand acres  are  owneil  by  jictual  settlers, 
and  arc  worth,  on  un  average,  eight  dol- 
lars per  acre. 

Water-power  is  pood,  though  but  little 
inipr<ivc(l,  and  olTers  encouraging  oppor- 
tuniiics  for  tlie  manufacturer,  especially 
in  the  erection  of  woollen- mills.  Tim- 
ber of  all  kinds  prevails.  Beds  of  cla.v 
for  tlie  nianufa<^turo  of  brick  are  found 
ill  many  parts  of  tlie  county ;  ami  .several 
parties  are  successfully  engaged  in  mak- 
ing brick.  Limestone  for  lime  u.;'l 
luiilding-purposes  are  of  the  choicest. 
Chippewa  Itiver  is  the  only  navigable 
stream  in  tlio  I'ounty.  Trout  are  abun- 
<lant  in  the  largo  streams.  A  railroad 
from  Fan  Clairo  throiifjh  the  county  is 
among  the  glowing  antuipationa  of  tlie 
people.  The  raising  of  all  the  principal 
cerefds  and  stock  i.t  the  most  extensive 
pursuit.      Our    undeveloped   condition 

>  I  urn  Indebted  to  John  De  Qraff  nndMich- 
olaa  riiUUppi  of  Alma  for  thla  nke'.ch. 

C.  E.  T. 


60S 


niaronr  of  wiscossm. 


mill  fnrrnnltnl  to  turn  niir  water-power 
Into  iintolcl  wunltli.  Fui'iii-lulxir  U  al- 
wiivs  ill  (luinnnil;  ami,  iliiriii;{  the  itpiiiij; 
aiKl  siiiiiiiiorMonHoii,  hoiiio  tlii'cu  liiiiiilreii 
liivii  are  tMiipluyeil  on  the  lluef  Sloiiijli 
boiiiiis.  WiifioA  avtM'nuu  all  tlio  year 
roniiil  two  ilolliirs  per  iliiy. 

Tlio  three  priiicliml  villages  in  tlio 
county  nro  Alma,  tliu  county-neat,  with 
a  pojmlatloii  of  n  thoiHaiid,  three 
vhuri'lie't,  a  f;oo<l  gruileil  hcIiooI,  xoveral 
gooil  siiw-iiilllx,  anil  one  i;i'i'"-iiiill  ; 
r'oiintiiin  City,  with  a  population  of 
eleven  luinilroil,  three  ilmrrlies,  olio 
Urmleil  sdiool,  two  saw-iiiill»,  one  ({rist- 
iiiill,  II  foiiiiilery  and  a  phino-shop;  ami 
Mumlovi,  in  the  noitheru  |)art  of  tlie 
county,  with  a  nopiilutioii  of  about  n 
ttiomiiiiil,  four  cliuri-lie'*,  a  jjooil  kiikIuiI 
Ri'liool,  a  ll<Hii'in;;-niill,  and  a  fouiulery. 
Tlio  condition  of  the  coninioii  hiIiooIs 
tliroiiKlioiit  the  county  i*  Rood,  the 
Rchnolhoiisn'4  inostiy  of  frame,  but  or- 
dinarily in  fair  coiKlitiim. 

BrnNFi'TK  CouNTV.  — Tlii<  county  U 
lov  .11  the  St.  Croix  I'iver.    It  is 

til.  itli  pine  and  hard  wood;  Iiuk 

an  '   about  a  million    acres,   of 

w  ..  jiity-tlireo  thousand  acres  are 
State  litiids,  and  ii  liirijo  proportion  Oov- 
eriiiiiunt  lands,  whicn  are  rnpiilly  being 
taken  up  for  the  valuable  timber  upon 
them.  There  are  fip-ants  of  land  by  the 
United  States  (iovornment  to  uid  In 
buihlin;;  severnl  linei  of  railroads  that 
pass  through  this  ciMiiity,  which,  when 
I'oiiipleted,  will,  with  the  St.  Croi.\  and 
Its  tributaries,  give  its  settlers  ample 
fucilitics  for  Kctiiuf;  their  liimlier  and 
BKricultiiral  products  to  market.  It  is 
settleil  iiiostly  by  Norwegians;  and,  by 
their  known  industry,  they  will  make  it 
one  of  the  best  agricultural  counties  in 
the  State. 

Homesteads  are  still  quite  plenty 
The  proposed  St.  Croix  and  Superior 
Ilailrood  is  l<x:atcd  through  the  centre 
of  tlie  county,  and  will,  when  built, 
open  up  a  large  and  valuable  tract  of 
agricultural,  mineral,  and  tiinliered 
lauds. 

C.vi<i'.MET  CoUNTV.  —  TIlis  County 
contains  an  area  of  about  two  liundreil 
thousand  acres,  and  is  one  of  the  snuill- 
est  counties  of  the  State.  The  popula- 
tion of  the  county,  according  to  the  con- 
Riis  of  187(1,  is  l;i,.'KJ4.  There  uro  seventy- 
five  thruisand  acres  of  improved  land, 
the  average  price  of  which  is  about 
twenty-live  dollars  per  acre,  The  unim- 
proved liuiil,  consisting  of  one  liunilred 
and  thirty  tlioiisand  acres,  ranges  from 
three  to  twelve  tlollurs  per  acre.  Nearly 
the  whole  lands  are  callable  of  cultiva- 
tion. Tlie  Houtli  half  of  the  county  Is 
ceiitly  rolling;  the  north  being  more 
level,  and,  in  places,  Rwaiiipy.  The 
Bwainp-laniU  are  cenerally  owned  h. 
commissioners,  andhavo  no  appreciable 
value.    We  believe  the  Ueueral  Uoveru- 


inent  di>e»  not  own  an  ocre  of  land.  The 
l>'ox  Itiver  Improvement  Compnii.v  ownx 
a  small  tract  of  land  in  the  wuttern  part 
of  the  county.  The  faciiiiles  for  water- 
power  are  about  average.  Timlier  is  prin- 
cipally of  hard  wood.  Marble  is  fimiiil 
in  tlio  south-east  part  of  tlie  coniitv; 
also  valuable  stone  iinnrries  and  brick- 
yai'ds  ill  nniulieron  the  west  side.  Sev- 
eral small  Htieuins  run  throiu.'li  the 
county,  the  largest  being  the  Manito- 
woc; none  navigable.  Nevertheless, 
Lake  Winnebutyi,  lying  on  the  west, 
gives  aiiiiilu  facilities  for  shipping  anil 
market  privileges, 

Culnmet  County  contains  the  (Inost 
oak-timbor  in  Wisconsin;  and,  with  the 
newly-aciiuiied  railroad  firilitios,  this 
is  going  to  prove  of  great  value  to  the 
county.  Here  are  great  indiiconients  to 
iiion  of  capital,  who  would  desire  to  go 
into  tho  manufactiiro  of  wajron  or  car- 
riage material,  or  otlier  things  for  which 
liaril  wood  is  u.sed.  Ilass-wotMl  is  al.su 
(jiiito  abundant. 

Chilton  is  tho  coiinty-Hcat;  is  located 
on  the  Milwaukee  and  Nortliern  liail- 
way,  and  has  twelve  hundred  iiilmbit- 
ants.  Now  Hoistcin  has  ten  liiindreil 
inhabitants;  Stockbridgo,  six  limidrod; 
Hay  ton,  four  hundred;  (Iravesville,  six 
hundred;  and  Slierwood,  one  hundred 
and  llfty. 

The  population  c<msists  of  about  one- 
half  Ucniiau,  one-quarter  Irish,  and  one- 
quarter  Amerirans, 

I  Ciiii'pr.w.^  CouNTV,'  —  Twonty-dve 
[years  ago,  when  the  pioneei-s  of  lliis 
I  county  entered  its  forests  for  the  .sole 
I  purpose  of  lumbering,  tlioy  supposed 
I  that  pine-lands  woithl  only  produce  pine- 
trees;  and,  consequently,  they  brought 
their  Hour,  pork,  corn,  beans,  potatoes, 
and.  In  fact,  all  tho  necessaries  of  life, 
up  tho  Mississippi,  in  keel-boats,  from 
I'rairio  dn  Cliien.  Times  are  changed. 
Now  tho  county  produces  both  winter 
and  spriiij^  wheat,  —  twenty  bushels  per 
acre,  —  which  sells  in  AUlwaukeo  for 
No.  1.  Our  oats  are  No.  1 ;  average  crop, 
forty  bushels  to  the  acre.  Itarley  and 
ryo  grow  eipially  ns  well.  Hay  grows 
wild  in  great  abundance,  ond  yields  two 
tons  to  the  acre.  They  al.so  raise  llrst 
quality  of  Timothy  lia.v,  two  tons  to  the 
acre.  As  for  potatoes,  tho  world  cannot 
surpass  tlioiii  in  qiuiutity  or  iiuality :  the 
average  crop  is  two  hundred  bushels  per 
acre.  Almost  all  kinds  of  wild  fruits 
grow  in  abundance,  Quito  a  large 
number  of  apple-trees  and  fruits  liave 
been  sot  out  the  past  fow  vears;  and,  us 
apples  do  well  lifteen  miles  south,  we 
hope  80on  to  raise  fruit  in  abundance. 

The  stock  of  the  county  is  of  good 
average  quality,  but  is  mostly  brought 

>  We  are  indebted  to  I.,.  C.  Stanley,  William 
liicliurdMii,  and  I  >,  W.  Caiupbell  of  Chippewa 
FiUlD,  tor  thU  sketcli. — U  U.  X. 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


CG3 


from  Soiitliom  Wisconsin,  Illinois,  ami 
Iowa.  Till)  pinerius  initl(u  u  Ki'unt  ilu- 
iiiuiiil  for  horsus  nnd  worldn^-cnttle. 
Willi  Innil  (uu  lio  1ion){lit  for  fnini  tliri'u 
to  tun  ilollnr.s  per  ncro.  Twenty  iullo< 
from  tile  coiiiit.v-scrtt,  or  from  tlio  We-it 
Vt'iscoiisin  Ituilrouil,  );ooil  laiiil  can  l>o 
lioii'^lit  at  (iovm-iiment  prlro.  Improviiil 
laiiils  uro  lieUl  at  tea  to  twunty  dollart 
por  iicro.  Tlio  soil  of  tlio  lieuvy,  liard- 
wociil  tlmlior-lnnil  i<  what  UttM'iiioil  rlay 
Hoil ;  that  of  tli»  prnlrii.'  <  is  n  riili,  black, 
saiiily  liiaiii  Tliu  people  sottletl  in  tlii-t 
county  aio  from  Hvei-y  nation;  ami  the 
door  staiiils  opiiii  to  all. 

Ill  the  northern  iiart  of  the  county, 
copper,  silver,  ami  lead  oien  have  been 
found,  but  nut  in  (myiiiK  iiiiantitiet. 
Tlici'M  U  |ilenty  of  sandKtono  and  Kruiiito 
for  buildiii;{-piirpo<es. 

LumlierinK  is  the  specialty  of  the 
county,  ill  the  way  of  mani'ifucturtM. 
According  to  the  liiiiibcr  inspector's  re- 
port, 4:S,.'llli,41!l  feet  of  lumber,  :ill,(KH),(ll)ll 
feet  of  lath,  and  l«,IHH),(li«tshiii^'les  were 
maniifactuicd  in  1H70.  There  are  l,;j8(i,- 
4KII  acrei  of  pinedaiuU  in  the  county, 
wlilcli,  at  till!  present  rate  of  consumii- 
tion,  —  li(HI,(MiO,(K)0  feet  per  year, —  will 
last  lifty  years.  A  larv;o  portion  of  our 
iiine-laiids  have  oak,  maple,  and  ash  tliii- 
lier  scattereil  through  them.  Chippewa 
Falls,  with  a  population  of  live  thou- 
sand, situated  at  the  head  of  stcimbont 
navi;,Miion  on  tlieCliip|iewaI!iver,  i^  the 
base  of  operatii>ns  in  tlie  lumbur-i'e;^ion. 
It  has  tlie  best  water-power  in  the 
world,  and  one  of  the  lar^e.Ht  saw-mill i 
in  the  United  Statei  run  by  water;  <a- 
pacity,  thirty-llvo  million  feet  ]ier  sea- 
son. i'"or  twenty  milen  up  the  river, 
saw-mills  of  a  I'apacity  of  from  one  to 
lHl<!cii  million  feet  occur  frciiuently. 
Over  two  liundreil  million  feet  of  saw- 
lo^s  ai'o  cut  nnd  put  into  tlie  river  eiurli 
Keawn.  This  re(pilru<  two  thousand 
men,  and  hor.'«s  ami  cattle  in  projior- 
tii>ii.  To  supply  this  force  furnidies 
our  farmer.",  a  Kood  market  for  all  they 
can  rcil-ie.  Above  Chippewa  Kails  i«  a 
ie~crvoir  lar|{0  euou-jh  to  stop  and  liohl 
nil  the  lo;ri  that  are  cut  in  the  winter 
season.  Tlie  lo^s  are  held  secure  iiiilil 
the  icu  melts  ;  then  they  are  assorted, 
and  turned  out  as  fa.4t  as  required. 
Kacli  owner,  liavin;;  liii  own  mark,  can 
(jet  his  own  lojpi  The  logs  are  run  over 
the  falls,  and  into  tlio  several  booms 
aloiif;  the  river,  and  a.s  far  as  the 
nioiith  of  the  Chippewa,  where  they 
are  rafted,  and  sold  down  the  Missis- 
sippi. 

Nv'hen  the  Inml)er  Is  sawed  at  the 
mills,  it  is  rafted  in  cribs  sixteen  by 
thirty-two  feet,  coupled  up  to  nia!:e 
rafts  containing  a  iiumlred  thonsund 
feet.  It  i  I  then  run  down  the  river,  by 
skilled  pilots  and  hardy  raftsmen,  to 
liead's  ijundin){,  on  tlie  Mississippi 
lUver,  there  coupled  up  in  rafts  from 


three  hundred  thousand  feet  to  two 
million  seven  hundred  thousand  feet. 
It  is  then  soM  to  i;o  down  the  river, 
at  an  avera;,'e  price  of  fourteen  dollars 
por  thousaml,  by  the  raft,  — a  clear  ijaiii 
to  mill-iiu'U  of  four  dollars  ]>er  thoU'-nnd 
feet.  The  pnsess  is  repeated  every 
year;  nnd  the  result  has  been,  that  most 
of  the  lunibor-nien  have  acuuiiiulated 
lirce  wealth. 

Much  of  the  land  is  IndifTerent;  but 
tliei'o  is  also  iiiiich  that  is  t;ood,  c<ivei'ud 
witli  hard-wood  limber.  Tliit  land  will 
soon  become  valuable  to  settlers,  as 
there  are  i;ood  railroad  faciliiie*.  Tlie 
home  markets  are  also  very  excellent 
on  account  of  the  pineries;  nnd  the  far- 
mer can  sell  his  |>roducts,  of  all  kinds, 
at  much  lii;.dicr  |irice<  than  tlio'e  prod- 
ucts will  briiiK  in  Milwaukee  or  Clil- 
ciiKo.  Tlio  West  \Vi-<onsin,  Wisconsin 
CeiilrnI,  and  St.  Croix  and  Superior 
liailroad  (."ompnnies  own  huuo  tracts  of 
laud  in  this  louiity,  wliicli  they  offer  to 
actual  settlers  at  reasonable  prices.  The 
waler-pov.er  in  tlii  i  county  Heiiormoii.s, 
ami  is  only  improved  in  ami  aroiiuil 
Chippewa  Falls.  The  Chippewa  Kiver 
is  iiavijjablo  to  Chippewa  Falls;  and 
there  are  almost  countless  smaller 
streams  and  lakes  where  llsli  of  all 
kiiiils  abound.  Came  is  also  plenty; 
such  as  deer,  bear,  wolf,  and  many 
Kinaller  fiir-lieariiiK  animals.  The  pop- 
ulation and  nealtli  of  the  county  are 
i-apidly  iin'readiig. 

Vhii)i>cwa  yulls. — This  city  is  situat- 
ed on  the  west  bank  of  the  Chippewa 
liivcr,  on  a  succession  of  low  liilH,  rising 
gradually  backward  from  the  river.  It 
is  twelve  miles  north  of  tlio  We  it  Wis- 
consin Kailroad,  conneited  with  Man 
Chiire  by  the  Cliin|)cwa  Valley  Uailroiid, 
which  1ms  recoutly  been  coniploted.  It 
is  Holed  for  the  iiiimense  water-power 
it  possesses;  there  beir'i;  a  fall  of  .some 
twenty-six  feet  in  thiee-fourths  of  a 
mile  over  a  rocky  bottom;  also  for 
being  the  heart  of  ilio  valuable  luinber- 
husiness  of  Cliippewa  Valley.  The 
county  has  an  area  of  l!,.'iH0,4S0  acres, 
l,.Vi(i,4S0  of  which  is  heavilj-  timbered 
with  pine,  oak,  ami  maple.  Duncan 
Creek  runs  tlirough  the  city,  and  fiir- 
ni  ;lies  several  line  water-powers,  among 
which  are  the  llouring-mills,  which  pro- 
duce one  of  the  best  brands  of  tlour  in 
the  State.  The  city  has  two  liotels,  the 
Union  Lumber  Conipany's  store,  and 
the  Firtit  National  Dank  bnildiiif;.  The 
Union  Lumber  Company  is  by  far  tlie 
lari^st  bnsiness-llrm  in  the  city  Of  the 
mill  of  this  company,  an  account  has 
been  given  in  tlie  I'hapter  on  liiinber- 
iiig  in  Wisconsin.  There  are  Calliolio, 
I'resbvterian,  Episco))al,  ami  Methodist 
cliMrclies.  The  Catholii!  church-edillce 
was  erected  in  WJ,  at  the  uost  of  forty 
thousand  dollars. 

I'opuUttion,  1870,  5,000. 


664 


BisTORr  OF  wiacosam. 


Clark  Cottnty.'— This  is  one  of  tlie 
lar^eHt  nxiutlfls  lit  the  Htate.  It  Ih  well 
wnterud  by  tlio  llliwk  and  Eaii  Cliiire 
Ulvei'Kaiid  tlKrlrtrlliiitnrJpt,  Biid  hyfiniiio 
of  tlie  ti'jIiiitnrie^iiftliHChippowu  Itlver. 
Liiiiil>vriiiK  liai  Ik'vii  tlio  |>rlii<'i|inl  hiiHJ- 
ness  of  tlio  iicoplu  of  tlilt  I'ciiinty  until 
within  tlio  Inst  live  years:  now  ("iiilte  a 
Ini'i;o  nniiibor  aro  ciiKiiKOd  In  fniiiiinK. 
Tliei'o  is  n  lai'^o  nniouiit  of  exciMlent 
faiiiiinR-lnnd  in  the  Honlliern  and  east- 
ern portions  of  tlio  ooiiiity,  mostly  heav- 
ily tiiiiliored  Tlio  I'onnfy  is  hnt  thinly 
settlud,  lint  Is  rapidly  tUlini;  np  with  un 
indtistrlons  class  of  men,  who  aru  not 
afraid  of  the  IinnI  work  that  Is  fn'jvl' 
lile  where  farms  aro  (■lei;vcd  lip  in  • 
lieavily-tlmliore<l  i'<mntry.  The  (jreatoi 
portion  of  tlio  settlors  aro  fioni  tho  Kivst- 
ern  and  Middle  Sinios,  tvilli  a  few  (ior- 
iiians,  K«KH^h,  Hi-jtih,  nnd  rniiodians. 
Many  linproveiniMits  have  licon  made 
within  the  past  live  years.  lEouds  have 
liecn  opened  In  -  ery  direrilon;  «  liooi- 
honses  have  bean  built;  villiipus  laid  ont 
and  settled.  A  railroad  has  been  bnilt, 
rnnninK  through  the  south- vostorn  part 
of  the  county,  with  a  station  ot  Huni- 
liird,  Hi.Nteun  miles  from  NeiUsville,  tho 
C'ouuty-.seat.  Other  roads  unit  Imiirove- 
ments  are  In  coiitumplatiou,  whiih 
promise  to  add  niiicli  to  the  prosperity 
of  tho  county.  !Nuillsvillo  is  a  tiourish- 
inu  ti>wn. 

CoLi'MniACouNTV.' — Columbia  Coun- 
ty is  one  of  the  inland  counties  of  the 
State.  The  (jenoral  surfa<o  of  the  coun- 
ty is  level,  yet  not  flat,  but  siUlii'iently 
rolling  to  afford  ample  draina-je.  Tho 
funeral  tpiality  of  the  siiil  is  piod.  The 
county  contains  4!r.',,")(il)  aores  of  land, 
about  two-thirds  uniler  vultivation, 
includinf;  improved  swamp-lands.  Near- 
ly ono-tlihd  of  the  halaiico  Is  capu- 
lilo  of  beiuK  worked.  In  the  possession 
of  actual  settlers  Is  48j,.W(»acre9.  Aver- 
age price,  as  assessed,  ijrj  H3. 

Tho  fai'ilities  for  water-power  ore  (food, 
but  only  partially  iiiiprovod.  The  prin- 
cipal tiniuur  Is  oak,  maple,  ba.sswoo<l, 
and  elm.  8tone  qiiarrlcs,  lime,  and  sand- 
stone aro  foiiwl,  but  only  worked  for 
local  tise.  A  cream  brick  is  manufac- 
tured at  Portai^,  which  commands  the 
highest  price  of  any  put  into  market. 
Wisconsin  and  Fox  livers  ure  the  only 
navigable  streams  running  through  tho 
county.  This  county  has  soverol  lakes, 
of  which  Lake  Cieorgo  and  Wissahicon 
aro  tlio  largest,  except  Swamp  Lake, 
which  covers  about  seven  hundred 
acres.  There  is  not  an  abundance  of 
game :  prairie-chicken  and  duck  are 
about  all  that  now  remains.    The  roil- 


>  1  Km  indebted  for  tills  sketch  to  Hon.  O. 
W.  Kill)!  of  lluuiUlra.  — U.  U.  T. 

>  Xlio  muteiiuk  fur  this  sketch  were  (ur- 
nUlied  by  Tboiuas  Yule,  V.  fool,  uid  U.  A. 
Soulhmayd.— <;,  O.  T. 


I  -^lad  conim«nlcai,.on»  are  Rond.  no  point 
:.i  the  county  more  than  twelve  miles 
from  a  line  of  roa<l;  and  more  roads  are 
in  prospect.  Agriculture  Is  the  oi'tlve 
iiursiiii;  and  the  growing  interest  taken 
iiy  farmers  leotls  us  to  lielieve  that  it  is 
111  a  prosperous  condition.  Manufac- 
turing  Is  not  carried  on  to  that  extent 
that  It  might  lie:  with  tho  unsurpassed 
facilities  of  water-power,  it  should  rank 
among  tlui  tirst  In  uianufactured  goods 
in  tho  Sta'o. 

liCatlier  is  mannfartnrod  to  some  ex- 
tent at  Portage,  and  some  other  points 
in  the  county.  There  are  a  few  wagon- 
diops,  where  all  kinds  of  wagons  and 
I  carriages  are  made.  At  Cambria,  there 
I  is  a  wooUeii-fociory  of  considerable  im- 
portance. 

I  The  great  geographlcnl  feature  of  the 
I  county,  that  which  will  be  eventually 
I  oi  more  lieneflt  than  anv  thing  else,  is 
I  the  peculiar  position  of  the  Fox  and 
Wisconsin  Rivers  to  each  other,  that 
makes  possible  a  ship  canal  to  unite  the 
waters  of  Lake  Mlclilgan  ond  the  Mis- 
sissippi Ulver.  At  "The  Portage,"  a 
name  given  by  the  early  French  voy- 
agers, where  now  stands  the  city  of 
Portage,  they  approaih  so  near  togeth- 
er, that,  in  high  water,  the  watei-s  of 
the  Wisconsin  are  wont  to  How  across 
the  intervening  flats  into  the  Fox. 
Koats  of  considerable  ilraught  hod 
floated  across  from  time  to  time,  before 
any  canal  was  dug.  Several  years  ago, 
a  canal  about  two  miles  long  was  dug, 
with  a  lock  at  tho  Wisconsin  River, 
and  another  at  tho  Fox  (which,  at  that 
point,  is  some  six  feet  lower  than  the 
Wisconsin),  and  the  channel  of  tho  Fox 
dredged  In  nlaces,  and  somewhat 
straightened;  and  a  successful  naviga- 
tion from  (ireen  Bay  was  cimimenced. 
A  considerable  amount  of  business  has 
for  years  been  done  through  this  chan- 
nel. 

In  the  Internal  Improvements  of  the 
county  aro  seen  abumlant  Indications  of 
the  enterprise,  good  taste,  and  pros- 
perity of  our  citizens.  Tho  roads  in  all 
parts"  of  the  county  are  good,  A  large 
intmlier  of  tlrst-class  farmhouses  and 
iirivato  residences  ore  seen  everywhere. 
The  schools  are  good,  sehoollionses  neat 
antl  attractive:  the  church-eiliJices  are 
numerotis,  anil  are  respectable  in  size 
and  appearance ;  the  county  bnihiiiigs  are 
large,  convenient,  and  well  adapted  to 
the  purposes  for  which  they  are  de- 
signed. At  Wyocena,  the  county  has 
erected,  as  an  adjunct  to  the  poor-house, 
an  asylum  for  those  insane  pei-sons  for 
whoni  the  State  has  not  made  suHicient 
provision.  The  biiilillng  is  of  brick, 
cost  six  thousand  dollars,  and  will  aii- 
commodate  thirty  patients:  it  is  well 
patronized,  and  is  one  of  the  most  beueU- 
cent  institutions  of  the  county. 
The  population  of  the  county  ia  about 


nrsTonv  of  Wisconsin. 


665 


thirty  thmmnnil,  nnd  In  mnile  up  of  (i«t- 
tlcrHfriim  all  Piirts  of  tlie  Union  ami  the 
Old  \V(irl(l.  riiii^c  from  Nuw  Kn|{litnil 
nnil  N«w  York  proilornlnnto.  To  Htitn 
lip,  \vu  rc'cnrd  Colinnliin  ('oiinty  an  one 
of  tl.'o  nioilol  counties  of  llm  State,  lioth 
conHiil<Mint!  Its  Bcoi;rnplil('iil  poHiilon,  Its 
pliyslcnl  featiiros,  Its  nKric.iiltiirnI,  »o- 
t'lal,  unci  tinaiicial  advantages,  and  the 
iiitellii^cni'O  and  enterprise  uf  itit  hihah- 
ituiits. 

J'liildi/f  City,  tlio  county-sent  of  Co- 
Iiinilila  (y'oiuity,  is  l(H'nled  on  tlie  MnfF 
adjoining  a  narrow  iivck  of  low  land 
wlilcli  divides  ilio  Fox  Itiver  from  llie 
■Wisionsln.  This  ncik  is  loss  tliiin  two 
ndles  wide  ;  and  hfuco,  as  tho  two 
rivers  are  navipdiir  ^  om  a  Hlioit 
distani'i)  Ik'Iow,  —  tin  mn  to  tliefir'-at 
I^ikvs,  and  the  other  to  the  (!nlf  of 
Mesiio,  —  iMid  ns  liotli  tlow  through 
lii;;ldy  f(;...io  districts,  it  is  quite  in 
tlie  (.'oiii'xe  of  natitie  that  this  short 
and  practical  portaco  should  have  lieen 
regarded,  from  lis  earliest  discov- 
ery to  the  present  time,  as  a  very  iiii- 
portniit  ofTair,  and  xutHcient  to  nWe 
name  to  the  city  that  was  founded  upon 
It.  The  city  Ih  spread  over  a  lar^e  area, 
the  centre  of  which  is  nearly  a  mile 
Roiith  of  the  railroad  station,  occiipyiii); 
an  elevated  site  on  sandy  ground,  Tlie 
town  presents  n  very  attractive  aspect 
from  tlin  railroad:  the  old  town  on  the 
marsh  lieiii);  hhhlcn  from  view,  anil 
tlie  portion  in  siijlit  hclu);  almost  now, 
and  the  tine  court-house,  schooiliotises, 
and  oilier  lar^e  hiiildinns  of  crcam-col- 
oied  hrick  showin)»  \ery  conspicuous. 
The  husiiiess-lilock^  are  larne  and  coiii- 
iiioilious;  and  the  imiiiiifacturiiiu  inter- 
est has  not  been  neglected.  Itliasinie 
flouiing-iiiill,  two  taiiiiories,  two  foiiii- 
deries,  tlirce  watjoii  and  carriage  shops, 
pottery,  faniiiu;{-niill  (actory,  and  sev- 
eral breweries.  Tlie  raiiroail  from  Mad- 
ison nortli  to  I'ortuKa  City,  forty  miles, 
was  opeiieil  in  .January,  1871. 

The  business  of  the  place  ha.s  been 
very  larye,  particularly  in  liiinher;  and 
its  ])ros]iec'ts  in  a  business  point  of  view 
are  very  eiicoiiradinK. 

Population,  1875,  4,3;{7. 

Chawkoiio  County.'  —  Anions  the 
Btrikin(!pliy.sical  features  of  this  county 
are  the  towering  bluffs,  which  often  rise 
to  the  iieiKlit  of  from  four  to  six  hundred 
feet,  and  which  present  their  liold,  rocky 
fronts  on  the  whole  line  of  river  uounif- 
ary,  as  well  as  aloii);citlier  liank  of  the 

firiiicipal  streams.  The  bottom-lands 
yiii;;  at  the  foot  of  these  bluffs  are  very 
fertile;  and  the  Roil,  which  is  a  liKht, 
sandy  loam,  is  of  great  vahie  for  the 
production  of  cnrdeii  vegetables  of  every 
description,  wliick  come  to  maturity 
muck  sooner  than  on  the  high  lands  in 

>  This  sketch  is  compiled  from  the  Report 
et  the  Couimiuloiier  of  luuuigratiou  for  1673. 


the  same  localitiM.  ThrouRhthta  county, 
near  its  centre,  ruuH  a  divide,  which 
"cparates  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi 
11(1111  those  of  the  Wisconsin  and  Kicka- 
poo  lilvers;  and  froiii  this,  at  riuiit  an- 
gles with  it,  are  alternations  of  ridge 
and  valley,  the  former  gennrnlly  wood- 
ed; wliiiu  in  the  vales  are  fertile  lands 
valiiabh)  forests,  prairie  meadows,  and 
good  water-powem  on  iievor-fuiling 
streams. 

Agriculture  and  trade  have  hitherto 
been  tho  pursuits  of  the  people,  to  the 
almost  entire  neglect  of  iiiuiiiifactiir' s; 
the  census  of  1870  showing  lui  aggrc:;ite 
of  farm  production  of  ^8-.NI,lilKi,  while  tlio 
product  of  our  iiianiifiu'tiires  was  but 
,'ij'J4(),ll(K).  Hut,  during  the  past  year,  the 
people  have  awakened  to  the  importmico 
of  manufactures,  to  all  other  bniiiclies  of 
industry;  and  henceforth  the  iMiiiiiiicr, 
loom,  and  anvil  are  to  have  their  devo- 
tees, as  well  as  the  plough.  In  tlie  line  of 
publi(!  iiiiproveiiieiit  are  excellent  roads 
and  good  schoollioiiHes,  so  uiimeiiiiis, 
that  every  <'hllil  enjoys  the  privil  ge  of 
a  gooil  coiniiion  scluxd  eiliiiaiioii,  The 
Milwaukee  and  St.  I'aiii  l!ail\>ay  ex- 
tends along  the  southern  line  of  tlie 
county  for  a  distaiiie  of  twenty  miles. 
Ibiilgeport  is  one  of  tlie  principal  sli'..- 
iiing-points  on  the  road  for  grain  and 
live-stock;  w!iile  at  I'rairiedu  Chien  the 
company  have  one  of  the  largest  fieigiit- 
•'epots  ill  the  Stale,  agraiii-eievator  with 
a  .'iipaiity  of  two  nuiidred  and  llfty 
iho  isand  bushels,  and  from  which  two 
liiiiidred  and  scveirty-live  cars  have 
Iiceu  loaded  with  wlieat  in  a  single  day. 
Tlie  company  have  liero  large  car- works, 
a  good  pa.ssengci--depot,  and,  near  this, 
one  of  tho  (Inest  hotels  in  tlie  West.  The 
business  of  the  coiiipan.v  has  increased 
so  rapidly  under  its  excellent  manage- 
ment, tliiit  it  has  been  c(uiinelled  to  erect 
a  temporary  biidjje  over  tlie  Mississippi 
for  tlie  transfer  ol  trains  during  tlie  win- 
ter; wliilo  in  tlie  Kca.son  of  navigation 
in  1870,  tliree  steamers  were  constantly 
engaged  in  the  transfer  of  cars  from  one 
shore  to  the  other. 

The  coninierce  of  the  county  at  tlila 
time  has  an  extent  and  importance 
which  few  would  iiiia^ne  who  Iiave  not 
exanilned  the  llgure«  which  sliow  it: 
ami  this  is  not  conducted  by  rail  ulone; 
but  third  organized  lines  of  elegant 
steamers  touch  at  the  river-town,  and 
do  not  only  a  large  freight,  but  passen- 
ger business  also.  Tho  county  is  re- 
markably healthy,  is  well  watered,  has 
lieavy  forest  in  every  town.  In  her 
markets,  Ittinber  and  all  descriptions  of 
building-material  are  plenty  and  ciieap. 
Improved  lands  may  bo  purchased  at 
from  fifteen  to  thirty  dollars  per  acre; 
and  unimproved,  from  live  to  ten  dol- 
lars. The  public  schools  are  under  the 
charge  of  good  teachers  and  an  eflieient 
county  Buperinteudeut,  and  are  access- 


6C6 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Iblo  to  nearly  every  child.  In  Prairie 
chi  Cliieii  i.i  a  lar^u  Ueriiinii  srliool,  vitli 
an  aocoiiinli.slicii  native  teacher;  while 
the  Oathdllcs  have  a  lar;;e  "Sisters'" 
Scliodj,  and  will  soon  open  anollier,  of 
a  hi^lier  t;ra(le,  in  a  larjju  ami  beautiful 
huililiii^,  wliioli  wan  erected  at  a  cost  of 
lifty  tliousand  dollars, 

T'.ie  people  of  Crawford  County  are 
lntplli|,'ent,  industrious,  wide  awake  to 
tlieir  interests,  and  hence  are  jjood  pa- 
tri>ns  of  schools,  iliurches,  and  the 
press;  and,  taken  all  in  all,  the  county 
possesses  the  natural  and  other  advan- 
tages, which  in  future  will  pernot  her 
to  take  a  front  rai'.k  anions  those  which 
make  up  the  uohle  Commonwealth  of 
■NVisccjiisin. 

Dank  Coi'NTV. — This  county  is  situ- 
ated near  the  gengrapliical  and  c'omnier- 
ci.  1  centre  of  the  State.  Mailison,  the 
county-seat,  and  the  "apital  of  the  State, 
has  one  of  the  most  heautiful  locations 
in  tlie  world,  in  the  midst  of  (diarming 
lakes.  Hero  is  the  new  Capit<d  build- 
in;;,  which,  surrounded  b.v  a  coiuniodi- 
ous  and  elegant  park,  ju'esents  an  im- 
pressive appearance  of  taste  anil  beauty; 
and  anions  the  other  substantial  luiiUI- 
iuRs  are  the  United  States  po<t-olHce, 
city-liall,  and  thecourt-l.ouse.  The  State 
University  buildiuKs  and  university  farm 
occupy  an  elevated  ami  pleasant  site 
about  one  mile  west  of  the  Capitol. 
There  are  thirty-live  towns  and  fourteen 
villages  in  the  (county.  Si.\  of  the  towns 
are  largely  settled  withNorweKians,  anil 
8i.\  by  (iennans;  and  the  American  and 
European  natioiuUities  are  more  or  less 
represented  in  all  llie  towns.  Tlie  couut.v 
throu;,'lioiit  is  well  watered  liy  lake*  ami 
streams,  and  the  soil  is  generally  fer- 
tile ;  in  some  iiarts  extensive  ])rairies 
prevailinR,  and  in  otliers  undnlatinji 
and  liilly  laud.  Timber  is  plentifully 
Interspersed  throuKliout  the  county. 
There  are  numerous  churclies,  of  all 
denominations,  throudhont  the  munty, 
also  private  and  pidilic;  schools.  The 
Milwaukee  and  St.  J'aul,  the  ChicaKu 
and  Nortli-western,  and  Madison  and 
Porta;,'e  Uailroads  have  bronnlit  it  into 
direct  connection  with  all  parts  of  the 
State  and  country. 

Miidimiii,  the  capital  of  the  State  of 
AVisconsin,  and  seat  of  justice  of  IJauc 
County,  is  pleasantly  situated  on  an 
i.sthmus  between  Lakes  Mendota  and 
Menoua,  eighty  miles  west  of  Milwaukee, 
aiul  one  hniKlred  and  tliirty-two  u'.iles 
nortli-west  of  Chicago,  in  lat.  4;!°5'\.; 
loiiK.  Wil°  a»'  W.  It  stands  in  the  centre 
of  a  broad  valley ,  surrounded  by  lieiKlits, 
from  which  the  city  can  be  soen  at  a 
dLstance  of  several  nules.  The  isthmus 
is  about  thrce-nuarters  of  a  mile  in 
width.  Lake  Mendota,  which  lies  on 
the  north- west  side  of  the  town,  is  six 
miles  long  b.v  four  miles  wide.  It  is  a 
beautiful   sheet  uf  water,   with  clean, 


pravelly  shores.  The  depth  is  sufficient 
for  navigation  by  steamboats,  and  is 
estimated  at  aiiont  si.xty  feet.  Lake 
Menoiui  is  mther  smaller  When  this 
l>lace  was  selei^ted  for  the  seat  of  irov- 
ernniunt,  in  W,V],  it  contained  no  liuihl- 
in;i  liut  a  solitary  lug-caliin  The  new 
Capitol  is  a  beautiful  strnctnrc,  built  of 
stone,  at  an  expense  of  live  hundreil 
thonsaml  ilollars,  standing  on  fxround 
seventy  feet  above  the  level  of  the  lakes, 
and  in'tlie  centre  of  a  jiulilic  park.  The 
streets  that  le.id  from  the  Capitol  to- 
wards the  carilinal  points  descend  lirnd- 
inilly  to  the  sliores  of  the  lakes,  exccpt- 
iu);  tliu  one  which  extends  westward  to 
ColleKo  Hills.  On  tins  eminence,  one 
iidle  west  of  the  Capitol,  and  alxiiit  one 
hundred  and  twenty-live  feet  aliovo  tlie 
lake,  is  situated  the  University  of  Wis- 
consin, which  was  instituted  iu  184il. 
Three  newspapers  are  Issued  here.  It 
contain.!  four  banki,  about  twelve 
ciiurclies  a  lar^e  number  of  stores,  a 
woollen  factory,  and  several  sleiun-inills. 
It  is  also  noteworthy  for  its  business 
advantages,  and  its  liealthfiil  poiilion. 
Situated  on  elevated  ground,  amid  de- 
liglilful  groves  and  productive  lands, 
well  above  the  cool,  clear  lakes,  it  must 
bo  health.v;  wliile  the  abundance  and 
I'onvciiicnce  of  line  streams  and  water- 
power  must  facilitate  a  sound  and  rapid 
advancement  in  agriculture  and  the  me- 
chanic arts.  It  is  fre<|ueiited  by  jileas- 
nre-seekers  as  a  i>Iace  of  summer  resort. 
Kailroads  radiate  from  Madison  towards 
the  east,  west,  nortli,  and  soiitli,  con- 
necting it  with  all  the  principal  i)oint.s. 
Since  its  origin,  tliis  jilace  lias  steadily 
increased.  I'opiilation  iu  l«4(l,  o7(! ; 
ill  IR'iO,  1,52.5;  in  IHj.i,  alioiit  3,500  ;  iu 
iWK),  (i.on ;  and  1H75,  lo.(l!i:!. 

Do  DOB  CoUNTV.'  —  This  county  is  trav- 
ersed b.v  both  the  Milwaukee  anil  St. 
I'aul  Itailway,  and  the  Chicago  and 
Xorth  -  western  Uailway;  the  former 
riimiiiig  both  its  northern  and  La  Crosse 
divisions  throiigli  it.  Thirteen  of  the 
twenty-two  towns  of  the  county  are  oa 
lines  of  railroad. 

The  soil  is  good,  being  of  clay  loam, 
and  all  occupied.  Is  used  mostly  for 
farming-'  nri)oi  js.  Its  agricultural  prod- 
ucts are  equal  iu  value  to  any  other 
county  ia  the  State.  It  is  the  third 
conntv  in  tlie  State  in  poniilation,  hav- 
ing, in  1870,  47,O.T)  inhabitants.  The 
assesseil  valiioliou  of  the  county  makes 
it  tlie  llflli  in  the  State  in  wealth, 
although  in  extent  of  land  it  is  the 
seventli.  In  the  county  are  villages 
equal  in  number  to  the  towns,  with  a 
diversity  of  interests  and  business,  most 
of  them  of  snllli:ieut  capacity  to  main- 
tain an  increased  population.  While  tlie 
cuuuty  is  generally  known  a.s  an  agri- 

■  This  sketch  is  compiled  from  the  aketdl 
of  S.  U.  LtTermura,  — (J.  IL  1'. 


BfSTORT  OF  WISCOXSIN. 


667 


culturnl  one,  raanufantiirliiK  and  niilHng 
are  iiiiportant,  f;ri>wiiiK,  unci  tlirivin;;  in- 
(liistiicH  witliiii  Its  bunlers,  CDinpiisilit; 
■wodIIcii  fartories,  maiiiifai'tories  of  anii- 
I'liltui'iil  iii.iiienieiits,  Houi'iiii;-iiiills,  iiiul 
Iron  wnrks.  Tliese  are  all  periiianeiitly 
esialili-ilit'il.  Stwk-iaisliiii  is  IicIhk  large- 
ly iiitrodiiccil;  ami  tlie  establNliiiiejit  of 
various  clieese-faitories  reuder.s  it  a  de- 
Hiralilu  and  prolltalilu  anNiliary  to  the 
farm.  All  tlic  land  of  the  contity  is  thus 
madu  valnahle;  the  marshes  Iniing  all 
reiidurcd  tit  for  inakins;  fodder. 

There  are  tjood  markets  for  all  kinds 
of  jirodute,  and  near  the  heme  of  every 
one,  from  the  fact  that  the  county  not 
only  alionnds  iu  villasjes,  but  is  sur- 
rounded liv  them.  On  the  Hiuitli,  two 
wards  of  \Vatertown  are  in  tliu  count.v, 
and  Waterloo  Is  adjacent  to  the  lonnty; 
on  the  west,  Colnndius  is  on  the  liordcr; 
on  the  ncu'th,  one  want  of  \Vi'  ■>un,  and 
one  wardof  Kaixlolpli,  are  in  tliei'onuty. 
The  far  eastern  portion  finds  conveiuent 
tradinjf-puiutM  in  Hartford  and  Oconu- 
uiowoc. 

That  portion  of  AVanpun  in  Dodfje 
County  im  hides  the  State-prison.  The 
eounty-seat,  .Innean,  is  in  the  ncoKrajih- 
ieal  lentre  of  the  comity.  Heaver  Uai^i, 
the  principal  place  in  the  county,  has  a 
population  of  tluee  thousand  live  hun- 
dred, about  ecpially  divided  between 
foreign  and  muive  in  origin;  and  for 
beauty,  fine  buildiu(;s,  and  plaie  of  resi- 
dence, is  not  surpassed  by  any  city  in 
the  State.  Its  water-power  is  inoxliaust- 
iblo 

The  edncatimial  facilities  of  the  county 
aree\tra.  Within  the  count.v  are  sev- 
eral ^railed  public  sihools;  while  the 
common  schools  are  nearly  all  of  a  hi^li 
order  In  the  (inn  village  cf  Fox  Lake 
is  localed  the  Wiiconsin  Fenude  Semi- 
nary, an  institution  of  a  bit;li  order; 
and  ill  IteaverUam  is  Wayland  Univer- 
sity Institute,  for  tin)  eilui'afion  of  both 
se.\es,  which  is  suitably  appreciated,  and 
well  patroiuzed. 

There  are  in  the  county  five  lakes, 
.■iittnitcd  a4  follows;  Fox  Lake,  in  the 
town  of  Fox  Lake,  covers  alio, it  two 
mill  abalf  sciuare  miles,  nin.  is  a,  natural 
atiil  very  clear  lake.  Ilcnver  Lake  is 
.situated  in  the  towns  of  Heaver  IJam 
and  Weslford,  Fox  Lake  mkI  Trentcui. 
It  is  about  twelve  miles  Ion),',  its  great- 
est width  a  niile  and  a  half,  and  it 
covers  about  ten  square  miles.  It  is 
mostly  artillcial,  beiii);  for'ied  b,y  a 
dam  at  Heaver  bam  (!ity.  and  is  siip- 
jilied  with  pleasure-boats.  Fox  Lake 
ami  Ijoss  Lake  flow  into  it,.  Horicon 
Lake,  or  Marsli,  is  situated  in  the  towns 
of  ilubbani,  Uiiniette,  Wdlianistosvn, 
Cliostcr,  ami  Leroy;  is  fourteen  miles 
long,  and  ahoii'  loiir  miles  wide.  It  ex- 
tends about  two  ndles  into  Fond  dii  Ijjc 
Oniniy.  lioss  Lako  is  in  the  town  of 
(JiUauiiue;   about   uue   mile  long,  nud 


three-quarters  of  a  mllo  wide;  Is  lieau- 
tifiilly  situated,  clear  anil  deep,  and  is 
a  favorite  resort  for  pleasure-  parties. 
Mud  Lake  is  located  ni  the  towns  of 
I>)well  and  Shields.  It  is  about  five 
miles  long,  with  marshy  borders.  The 
general  health  of  the  county  is  excel- 
lent, localities  are  afforded  to  suit  any 
one,  —  the  north-eastern  portion  for  its 
iron  mines,  and  the  balance  for  agricul- 
tural purposes. 

Dooii  CoiT.NTV.t  —  The  soil  is  generally 
of  a  clay  loam,  interspersed  occasionall.y 
with  soils  more  or  less  mixed  with  sanil. 
In  nearly  every  portion  of  the  county  are 
bottoin-iands  of  alluvial  deposits  with  an 
average  depth  of  six  feet  of  the  rii  best 
black  h>am.  On  the  uplands,  a  cla.v  soil 
in-edominates  at  an  average  depth  of 
twelve  feet.  The  county  contains  about 
three  hundred  thons'iml  acres  of  laiul, 
of  which  a  hundred  thousand  is  under 
cultivation:  of  the  balance,  twolmmlrcd 
thousand  is  only  adapted  to  agricultural 
pursuits. 

The  land  in  the  county  is  timbered 
with  oak,  maple,  beech,  elm,  ironwood, 
birch,  basswood,  pine,  liemlock,  tama- 
rack, cedar,  spriue,  balsam,  and  other 
vai'leties  of  lindier  ciMumon  to  this  part 
of  North  America.  Very  valuable  mar- 
ble and  stone  quarries  exist,  producing 
large  quautiiies  of  material.  Stnrgeiui 
Hay  extends  far  into  the  county;  and 
several  streams  traverse  it,  all  well 
stocked  with  fish.  All  kinds  of  game 
are  abundant.  Farming,  lumbering,  the 
niannfacture  of  shingles,  stave-bolts, 
cedar-posts,  railroad-ties,  and  nian.y 
other  lucrative  sources  of  industry,  are 
tlie  pursuits  followed.  Exiellent  oppor- 
tunity is  olTcred  for  the  investment  of 
caiutid.  Hlast  furnaces  might  be  run  to 
great  advantage;  every  thing  necessary 
being  near  at  band,  except  the  ore.  Cli- 
mate temperate  and  pleasant.  Water 
pure  and  exiellent.  No  epidemics,  no 
loutagions  iliseases:  in  fact,  for  healt'"- 
fulr.ess,  it  cannot  be  surpassed.  Tl 
are  ample  school-facilities  in  this  county , 
eiudi  seltlemenl  having  a  si.hoolhouse  in 
idoseproximi'.v;  and  there  are  I'rotestant 
and  Itomau  Catholic  churches.  The 
roads  in  the  county,  and  the  facilities, 
for  reaching  them,  are  good. 

A  large  number  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  county  are  engaged  in  cutting  tim- 
ber into  cord-wood,  saw-logs,  railroad- 
ties,  telegraph-poles,  feme-posts,  &c., 
for  which  a  ready  sale  is  found.  Many 
farmers  devote  their  winters  to  this 
work,  clearing  up  their  farm.*,  and  sell- 
ing the  timber  thus  cut  dow  n. 

T'lio  largo  bodies  of  water  on  each 
side  of  the  peninsula  abound  with  fish, 
and  furnish  eniploynient  to  a  large  num- 
ber of  men  in  catching    them.     Trout 

>  Tills  akctcli  wiM  taken  from  a  contributioa 
by  1).  U,  Morrl«ou  ul  Superior.  —  U,  IC  T. 


668 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


and  whito-fish  are  cauglit  in  larpre  qiinn- 
tirict,  Halted,  aiul  sold  at  rem\iuerative 
prices. 

Tlio  population  of  the  county  is  be- 
tween six  tlumsimd  and  seven  tliousancl, 
and  cnilirai'ei  niniust  nil  Kiirnpenn  na- 
tionnlitiot.  llelglan-t,  Germans,  Norwe- 
cians,  Freiioli,  Irish,  Danes,  Uutcli, 
Swedes,  Knjjlisli,  and  people  of  other 
nationalities,  have  eomo  here,  and 
cleared  up  lino  farms  in  the  woods  for 
themselves.  After  making  themselves 
comfortable  homes,  they  have  sent  back 
across  the  ocean  for  their  relatives  and 
friends  to  conic  and  sliare  with  them 
the  prosperity  offered  here  to  every  will- 
ing heart  and  stroma  hand. 

l)ou(iL.\8s  County. — This  county  is 
Bituated  in  the  north-west  part  of"  the 
State,  at  the  head  of  Lake  Sujierior 
The  general  surface  is  rolling,  and  con- 
tains within  its  limits  every  variety  of 
soil,  with  a  marly  subsoil  of  day.  The 
county  is  forty  miles  snuare,  ami  lias 
twelve  hunilieil  a<ros  under  cult  ivaticmt 
of  the  balance,  nearly  seven-eighths  are 
capable  of  improvement  and  cultiva- 
tion. One-eiglitli  is  owned  by  actual 
freeliolilers,  held  for  disposal  at  fair 
prices.  The  State  owns  about  seventy- 
live  thousand  ac'res,  at  a  price  of  .SI. L'j 
per  acre;  the  (ieneral  Government, 
three  liuudrcd  and  forty  thousand  acres. 
No  railroad  lands  yet  in  market.  The 
county  is  traverseil  with  four  streams, 
with  ample  facilities  for  water-power. 

Specimens  of  copper  liavo  bi  en  found 
of  the  i-iclie-it  quality;  also  largo  depo.s- 
its  of  iron,  though  unavailable  at  pres- 
ent, owing  to  the  want  of  railroad 
fa<'ilitie<.  liofli  granite  and  red  sainl- 
atone,  and  a  good  quality  of  brick,  have 
been  manufactureil  from  the  clay.  The 
Northern  I'acillc  and  St.  I'aul  hoad  is 
now  in  operation  from  the  western  bor- 
der of  the  county,  and  is  completed  four 
hundied  miles  west.  Lumbering  and 
fishing  are  the  principal  sources  uf  in- 
dustry. Water  good.  The  average 
days  without  frost,  from  a  hundred  to  a 
li''  'dred  and  twenty.  Potatoes,  oats, 
bit.  .ey,  wheat,  and  all  kinds  of  cereals 
and  grain  except  corn,  yield  abun- 
dantly. 

The  lino  forests,  mills,  and  logging- 
streams  lifter  good  inducements  to  capi- 
tal and  labor. 

About  half  of  the  population  of  the 
county  is  American;  the  balance  obout 
equally  divided  between  Swedes,  Ger- 
mans, Irish,  ami  French,  and  some  Nor- 
wegians. 

liiiNjf  CouNTV.'  —  This  com  y  is  situ- 
nted  in  North-western  Wisconsin.  The 
eastern  portion  is  mostly  prairie  and 
light  openings,  with  some  marsh  siiit- 

'  Tlilu  sketch  of  Diinii  County  was  contrib- 
nted  lir  It.  J.  Flint,  B.  U.  French,  and  C.  U. 
Buiiiicii  of  Meiiomonee.  —  V.  It.  T. 


ahle  for  meadow-land.  It  is  genet* 
ally  level,  and  has  a  fertile  ami  pro* 
diietive  .soil.  The  western  portion  Is 
more  rolling,  and  covered  with  e.vten- 
sive  forests.  The  soil  is  excellent,  pro- 
dtu'ing  splendid  crops.  Winter  wheat 
is  largel.v  grown,  and  yields  from  twen- 
ty to  forty  bushels  per  a<'re.  Oats,  rye, 
com,  potatoes,  &c.,  bring  forth  a  rich 
harvest.  In  short,  the  general  quality 
of  the  soil  throughout  the  county,  anil 
its  producliveness,  will  average  as  hi.gh 
as  any  county  in  the  State  to  which  the 
attention  of  the  immigrant  can  now  he 
iliiected.  When  the'  forest  has  been 
subdued,  and  the  wilderness  made  to 
"blossom  as  the  rose,"  by  the  labor  of 
the  industrious  settler,  no  section  of  our 
State  will  surpass  Dunn  County  in  the 
extent  and  variety  of  its  productions. 

There  are  at  iiresent  about  seventy- 
live  thousand  acres  under  cultivation, 
not  includiu.g  many  thousand  acres  en- 
I'losed  for  pivstiirage.  All  of  the  unim- 
proved lands  are  lit  for  cnltivatiou  or 
pasturage. 

The  county  is  watered  b.v  the  Chip- 
pewa Iviver  in  the  south-east,  tlie  Eati 
Gallo  in  the  south-west,  and  the  Ueil 
Cedar,  which  runs  through  the  county 
from  north  to  south.  The  Cliinpewa  is 
navi.gahio  for  rafts  .tnd  small  steam- 
boats; the  Eaii  Galle,  for  rafts  and  logs 
only.  Those  streams  with  their  numer- 
ous tributaries  furnish  a  large  number 
of  fine  water-powers,  many  of  which 
are  unimproved.  Saw-mills  and  Hour- 
ing-mills,  h<iwever,  are  springing  up  in 
all  jiarts  of  the  count.v,  opening  new 
lields  for  labor  and  capital,  and  furnish- 
ing a  substantial  home-market  for  the 
jirodiicts  of  the  forest,  the  farm,  and  tue 
garilen. 

Lumliering  is  the  leading  manufactur- 
ing inteixMt.  There  is  annually  iiianii- 
factured  in  the  county  about  seventy- 
live  million  feet. 

Uaiiks  of  cla.v  suitable  for  brick  are 
numerous,  luit  little  used.  Quarries  of 
limestoiio  have  been  opened,  ami  siic- 
cessfuU.v  worked.  (Juarries  of  beauti- 
ful Handstono  abound,  similar  in  geo- 
logical formation  to  the  celebrated 
I'otsdam  sandstone,  which  furnish  a 
line  and  serviceable  building-material. 
These  natural  cleposits,  together  wilii 
the  immense  quantities  of  liimher,  fur- 
nish an  unlimited  supply  of  cheap  and 
atu^essihle  building-material. 

The  railroad  facilities  are  good,  nnil 

firomise  to  be  better  In  the  not  distant 
iiturc. 

Kao  Clarb  CoujJTV.i— This  county- 
is  thirty-six  miles  long  east  and  west, 
and  eighteen  miles  wide  nortli  and 
south.  The  West  Wisconsin  Railroad 
runs  through  it  from  the  south-east  to 

■  Wo  are  indebted  to  C.  B.  DanioU  for  thll 
■ketcli.  — C.  II.  T. 


BTSTCnr  OF  WISCONSIN. 


66U 


the  north-west,  anii  is  the  means  of  di- 
rect (oniiiitmication  between  St.  I'ntil 
and  the  Kast,  anil  is  fast  becoming  a 
very  popular  route. 

Lmuberins  's  the  principal  industry 
of  tlic  county.  Crops  of  nil  kinds  are, 
as  (.  general  rule,  good,  and  (^omnumcl 
reiiiunerntive  prices.  The  lands,  as  a 
nik,  are  well  watered  with  nice,  clear 
.streams,  in  many  of  wliich  the  brook- 
trout  abounds.  A  suilicient  amount  of 
hay  grows  wild  on  the  marshes  to  sup- 
ply the  demands;  b>it  tamo  hay  can  be 
cidtiv.ited  and  grown  on  the  dry  lands 
if  desiroil.  The  Chippewa  Hiver  cuts 
across  the  western  part  of  the  county, 
and  is  navigable  for  boats;  while  the 
Eau  ("laire  lliver,  wliioh  runs  from  the 
cast  to  the  west,  and  joins  the  Chip- 
pewa, is  navigable  only  for  saw-logs. 
At  the  junction  of  the  Kau  Claire  with 
the  Chippewa  Jiiver  is  situated  the  prin- 
cipal place  in  the  county,  namely,  Eau 
Claire,  which  is  a  city  of  some  eight 
thousand  inhabitants,  and  is  constantly 
increasing  in  nund)ers. 

Augusta,  the  next  place  of  importance 
in  the  county,  i<  situated  about  twenty- 
fotir  miles  south-east  of  Eau  Claire,  on 
the  West  Wisconsin  Ilailroad,  and  has  a 
popula.i.m  of  about  twelve  hundred  :  it 
IS  .situated  in  a  fine  farming-district,  and 
is  a  flourishing,  pleasant  town. 

The  pojiulation  of  the  <:ounty  is  coin- 

SDsed  chielly  of  Americans,  "Germans, 
iirwegians,  and  Irish;  the  German  ami 
Norwegian  bting  the  most  numerotis 
of  the  foreign  element  represented, 
although  the  main  branches  of  busi- 
ness are  cou<lucted  by  the  Americans. 
The  climate  is  as  gooif  as  can  be  found 
in  this  latituile,  being  cold  and  dry  in 
the  winter,  without  many  storms,  and 
in  summer  as  pleasant,  warm,  and  cheer- 
fid  as  can  be  wished  for.  This  county  is 
comparatively  young.  Not  many  years 
ago,  where  the  city  of  Eau  (Ilairo  now 
stands  was  the  camping-ground  of  the 
Indian;  and  if  the  county  improves  for 
the  no.\t  ten  years  to  come  as  it  has  for 
the  same  time  past  (and  we  liave  every 
reason  to  believe  that  it  will),  it  will  be 
as  cultivated  n  section  of  country  as  a 
person  can  wish  to  live  in. 

KtM  Claire  is  sittiated  at  the  conflu- 
ein'e  of  the  Chippewa  and  Eau  Claire 
Kivors,  about  a  liundred  and  eighty- 
live  miles  nortli-west  of  JIadison.  Tliis 
village  was  laid  out  in  1  **,■>«,  and  has 
kept  steadily  growing,  till  now  it  lias 
a  ponulation  of  8,440.  Owing  to  its 
peculiar  situation,  it  is  separated  into 
three  vill.iges;  viz.,  Eau  Claire,  West 
Eau  Claire,  and  North  Eau  Claire.  Eau 
Claire  and  WestEau  Claire  are  inhabited 
mostly  by  Americans.  The  dwellers  in 
North  Eau  Claire  are  mostly  Gcniians. 
The  principal  source  of  wealth,  and 
■what  has  gi\en  the  village  its  rapid 
gruwtli,  are  the  extensive  manufactories 


of  pine-lumber  at  this  point.  The  Eatl 
Claire  and  Chippewa  Itivera,  and  the 
smaller  streams  Howing  into  them,  fur- 
nish an  lne.\haustible  supply  of  tinilier. 
The  aiivantages  of  the  location  for  lum- 
ber and  other  manufacturing,  with  the 
additional  impetus  furnished  by  tlie 
West  Wisconsin  nailroad,  will  likely 
make  this  the  leading  city  in  tlio  north- 
west part  of  the  State  In  tlio  iiiiiue- 
diate  vicinity  of  Eau  Claire  are  tliirty 
stetim  saw-mills. 

The  churches  and  schools  liore  are 
e.xcellent.  There  are  four  good  schools, 
one  seminary,  and  eleven  church  edi- 
fices, several  large  public  halls,  numer- 
ous hotels,  two  bank-Iiuililings,  fifteen 
saw-mills,  and  two  large  flouring-mills, 
fonr  planinfj-mills,  nml  door,  sash,  anil 
blind  factories,  two  foundery  and  ma- 
chine shops,  four  printing-houses,  a 
tannery,  &c.  Three  weekly  newspapers 
and  one  daily  are  published  lieru,  —  two 
in  English,  and  one  in  Oernian. 

Until  the  spring  of  18(iH,  the  cast  and 
west  sides  were  connected  only  lij'  a 
ferry;  but,  during  the  winter  of"lR71,  a 
truss  bridge  was  built  across  the  Chip- 
pewa, at  a  convenient  point,  which  soon 
served  to  unite  the  two  sections;  and  in 
1K72  all  the  diiTerent  villages  were  incor- 
porated, liy  act  of  the  legislature,  under 
one  city  government.  Population,  1873, 
8,440. 

FoNn  T>v  L.\c  County.  1  —  The  general 
topographical  character  of  the  comity 
of  Fond  du  iiae  is  gently  rolling;  Hat 
surfaces  lieing  rarn,  and  conflneil  to  a 
few  marshes,  which  are  almost  all 
draincil,  and  make  valuable  meadows 
for  the  cutting  of  red-top,  blue-joint, 
and  Timothy  hay,  or  for  (lasturo. 
The  prairies ' are  mostly  alluvial  soil, 
the  oak-openings  loamy,  the  timbered 
portions  mo.itly  loamy.  All  these  va- 
rieties are  strongly  inipregnated  with 
lime,  and  are  eminently  fertile  and  pro- 
ductive. 

The  county  contains  nearly  half  a 
million  acres  of  land,  of  which  twenty- 
live  thousand  are  taken  up  by  the 
.sontliernend  of  Lake  Winnebago  and  a 
few  other  lakes.  The  land  in  the  county 
is  nearly  all  cut  up  into  farms,  and 
fenced.  The  proportion  of  land  which 
is  not  fit  for  cultivation  is  insiguihcant, 
probably  not  more  than  one  or  two  per 
cent,  e.\centing  the  lakes.  It  is  nearly 
all  owned  ny  actual  settlers  or  farmers, 
wjio  have  come  here  from  all  parts  of 
the  Northern  States  and  from  Europe, 
including  Americans,  Germans,  Irish, 
Canadians,  English,  Scotch,  Danes, 
Swedes,  Norwegians,  and  a  few  from 
almost  every  other  country  of  Europe. 
Nearly  all  can  undorstand  and  speak 
the  English  language.    The  population 

>  Wo  are  Indebted  to  O.  do  Nevou  of  Fond 
du  Loo  for  till*  uketch.  —  C.  U.  T. 


670 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


of  the  connty   is    about   fifty  thon- 
sanfl. 

The  public  lands  have  long  since  been 
bonnht-  and  the  Hoil  i.<,  as  l)ef)re  re- 
uiarkeil,  all  owned  by  individuals. 

There  are  in  tlie  county  fmir  lines  of 
railroads,  which  traverse  it  in  different 
directions,  owning  no  more  than  the 
land  required  for  their  tracks  and  sta- 
tions; tlie  total  length  of  the*e  railways 
witliin  tlie  limits  of  the  county  being 
about  a  Intndrcd  and  twenty  miles; 
Oreen  Bay,  Sheboygan,  Milwaukee,  and 
Chicago  l)eing  all  accessible  by  rail  in 
from  two  to  six  hours.  No  city  in 
■\Viscousiu,  except  Milwaukee,  is  now 
a  greater  railroad  centre  than  Fond  du 
Lac;  and  certainly  none  is  more  favor- 
ably located  for  the  successful  prose- 
cution of  manufacturing,  tpcing  within 
easy  supply  of  pine-logs,  h.ird  wood  of 
nearly  every  description,  charcoal,  iron 
ore,  wool,  and  all  raw  materials,  and 
also  of  an  abundant  supply  of  cheap 
food,  being  located  m  the  vcrv  centre 
of  a  rich  and  proiluctive  agricultural 
region.  These  united  elements  make 
Foiul  du  Lac  a  highly  desirable  place 
for  the  cajiitalist  and  manuiacturer. 

The  motive-power  used  in  the  city  Is 
mostly  steam.  Fond  dn  Lac  is  situated 
at  the  soutbern  oxtreuiily  of  Lake  Win- 
nebago, which  U  about  tliirty  miles 
long  by  seven  or  eight  wide.  The  city 
is  iocii'od  on  a  piece  of  land  nearly 
level,  and  affords  no  water-power.  Hut 
lumber-mills  consume  their  own  saw- 
dust, and  supply  other  powers  with 
slabs  at  cheap  rates.  Peat  also  exists 
In  large  quantities  within  five  miles  of 
the  city.  Wood,  hard  or  .soft,  can  be 
bouglit  for  three  dollars  to  live  dol- 
lars or  six  dollars  per  cord,  ac^cord- 
Ing  to  quality.  Nearly  all  tlie  engines 
iiseil  in  the  manufacturiu}'  establish- 
ments have  been  miule  lieie.  The 
county  of  Fond  du  Lac  has  not  anv 
large  amount  of  water-nower,  although 
the  couutr.y  is  admirably  watered  by 
Hinall  strealns.  The  bead-waters  of  the 
Sheboygan,  Fond  du  Lac,  Uock,  and 
Milwaukee  lUvers,  are  in  this  county; 
but  they  are  all  small  streams  within 
our  limits.  About  one -half,  perhaps 
more,  of  the  avaibilile  water-fower  in 
the  county  is  iiiii)roved,  tun  iiig  the 
jnachinery  of  grist,  flouring,  and  feed 
mills,  ami  woollen  factories,  also  a  few 
Baw-mills  and  turning-lathes.    All  these 

stablisbme'iits  are  driving  a  prosperous 
jusinesa. 

There  are  inexhaustible  amounts  of 
the  linest  limestone,  also  excellent  sand, 
and  a  few  brick-y arils;  but  the  hest  brick 
are  brought  by  rail  from  Milwaukee  and 
Blieboygan. 

The  lakes  have  pickerel,  pike,  bass, 
&c. ;  our  prairies  liave  hens;  and  Horlcon 
Marsh  lias  myriaits  of  ducks  and  pec<e: 
but  our  people  sensibly  rely  on  the  foi'ins 


for  tbeir  chickens  and  for  their  Thanks- 
giving and  Christmas  turkeys.  Meat  of 
all  kinds  is  abiimlant  and  cheap.  Iiiter- 
mittent  fevers  are  unknown  ;  typhoid 
fevers  prevail  to  some  extent  ;  but  it 
may  be  asserted  that  no  .section  in  the 
West  surpasses  this  in  general  healtliful- 
ness. 

Education  is  flourishing,  and  the 
schools  are  well  attended. 

The  piipiilation  is  getting  largely 
A.nericanized.  Tlie  German  element  is 
large,  probably  ono-founli;  the  Eii'.'lish, 
Irish,  and  S<'otcli,  one-fourlli ;  and  otliers, 
mostly  Canailians,  one-twentieth;  bal- 
ance, Americans. 

Funtl  (III  I.iii-  is  a  flourishing  town,  and 
capital  of  Fond  du  Lac  County;  is  ad- 
mirabl.v  situated  on  (he  south  end  of 
Lake  Winnebago,  seventy-two  miles 
north-north-west  of  Milwaukee,  and 
ninety  miles  north-east  of  Madison,  ft 
is  the  second  city  in  tlie  State  in  pnpula- 
fion.  Lake  Wiiineliago,  which  is  a  l)eaii- 
fiful  sheet  of  wnler.  thirty  miles  long, 
and  ten  miles  wiile.  f<u'iiis  a  link  in  the 
chain  of  navigable  waters  comiecting 
Lake  Michigan  and  its  trilmtaries  with 
the  Mississippi  liiver,  anil  is  thechaniiel 
of  an  active  and  extensive  trade.  The 
Fox  Iliver,  by  which  the  lake  coiiiiiiu- 
nicates  with  (irecu  Ilay,  1ms  been  ren- 
dered navigable  for  steamlioals  mi  a 
canal  wbii'li  has  been  cut  from  the  same 
river  to  the  Wisconsin,  at  Portage  City. 
Tlie  city  has  grown  up  within  a  few 
years  almost  since  IW.j;  and  (lic!  pop- 
ulatiem  has  increased  with  surprising 
rapidity.  The  (.'liicagn  and  Xorth-West- 
erii  liailroail  connects  Fdiul  du  I-ac  with 
Cliicago  on  one  hand,  and  (irciii  Hay  on 
the  other.  One  railroad  enters  it  from 
Sheboygan  on  the  east,  and  one  from 
Milwaukee  on  ilie  south  The  tcwn  is 
built  (Ui  griiiind  asccii<ling  gradually 
from  the  lake,  and  is  pleasantly  sur- 
rounded and  embowered  amoiii;  groves 
and  trees.  It,  has  an  abundance  of 
water,  obtaineil  by  means  nf  artesian 
wells,  which  varv  in  depth  from  ninct.v 
to  a  hundfed  ami  fifty  feet.  It  contains 
three  banks,  twelve  churclies,  two  lilirh 
schools,  fifteen  to  twenty  ilry-goods 
stores,  and  aliout  twenty  saw-mills, 
three  plough-factories,  eight  grain-ele- 
vators, a  number  of  weekly  news-pa- 
pers, and  one  daily. 

The  manufacturing  facilities  of  Pond 
du  Lac  are  uniivalled;  and  a  large  capi- 
tal has  been  invested  in  this  direction. 

I'opulation,  inr.l,  15.;«W. 

OiiANT  County.  — firniit  County  is  one 
of  tlie  largest  of  the  settled  counties  in 
the  State.  Although  usuall.v  regarded 
as  a  prairie  and  "opening"  country, 
there  are  consideralile  bodies  of  hard- 
wood forest-timber  in  the  soutbern  anil 
north-western  portions.  Grant  is  well 
watered  by  numerous  small  streams, 
emptying  into  tho  Wiscousiu  and  Mis- 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


C71 


Blsslppl  Rivers,  and  has  a  fertile  soil,  well 
ailapted  to  the  various  crops  coiiniion  to 
this  laliMiile. 

Altliough  its  (levplopment  has  heen 
niuoh  retarded  by  the  want  of  railronil 
linproveiiieiits,  it  has  steadily  grown  in 
wealth  and  popnlation. 

The  farm  cultivation  compares favorn- 
hly  with  that  of  other  counties.  Stock- 
prowinc  tliongh  slower  in  inaklnt;  that 
proirress  which  has  distinjiuislied  other 
portions  of  the  State,  is  now  ailvancinc 
at  a  commendable  rate.  While  favora- 
ble to  stock-raisinjr  generally,  it  is  es- 
pecially adapted  to  shecp-liitsbandry, 
which  nuist  accordingly  receive  more 
and  more  attention.  Fruit-Ki-owing  has 
also  received  considerable  attention,  and 
has  been  ipiite  snc<'essful. 

The  most  important  products  of  man- 
nfactiuing  industry  are  flour,  pig-lead, 
and  woollen  goods. 

The  business  of  mining,  which,  in  the 
early  historv  of  the  county,  was  the 
leading  interestj  has  of  late  years  some- 
what declined  in  activity  here,  as  clse- 
wbeio,  In  tlielead-distri<'t  Nevertheless, 
there  are  immense  deposits  of  both  lead 
and  zinc  still  undeveloped.  The  ndnes 
hitherto  most  p odni'tive  are  found  in 
the  regions  about  Hazel  Green,  I'latte- 
ville,  I'otosI,  and  Heetown. 

The  cbiet  towns  are  Lancaster,  the 
connty-.seat,  and  I'latteville,  now  distln- 
guislied  ,as  being  the  seat  of  the  llrst 
State  Normal  School. 

Valuable  stone  quarries  —  buff  anil 
blue  limestone  — are  to  be  found  in  the 
bluif*  along  all  the  streams;  brick  clay 
call  be  had  an.vwhere;  and  gooil  potter's 
clay  in  the  vicinity  of  I'latteville.  I'a- 
per-nnlls  and  cheese-factories  could  be 
made  protitable  in  this  county. 

Till!  population  Is  composed  largely 
of  foicigners.  prhuinally  ("oriiish  and 
Fort'.sliirn  ii-iners.  also  Welsh  and  <!er 
i.ians,  and  some  Norwegians;  and  tliey 
ciuiipaie  favorably  with  the  best  in  any 
portion  of  the  State  for  Industry  anil 
intelligence;  and  the  county  Is  accord- 
ingly cl,  rized  bv  all  those  ediica- 
tioiial  and  other  like  improvemeut'i 
which  indicate  the  social  progress  of  a 
people. 

The  common  sclio  Is  throughout  the 
county  are  all  in  a  liourlshing  condition, 
(i railed  schools  are  also  maintained  at 
lioscobel,  Lancaster,  I'latteville,  Itlooiii- 
ingtcMi,  and  other  villages.  The  people 
areeiilighfcned,  and  interested  In  educa- 
tion ;  and  good  teachers  coiumuud  high 
wages. 

Ghern  Couvry.t  — Green  County  is 
one  of  the  southern  tier  of  counties  In 
the  State,  lying  midway  between  I.>ake 
Michigan  and  the  Mississippi. 

'  Wo  are  Indolitcd  to  J.  ,1.  Tshiulv  and  L. 
Seltser  (ur  thla  aketch  of  Qreau  (Jounly,  — 
C.  U.  T. 


AVIiile  there  are  a  considerable  niimher 
of  acres  of  level  lands  In  the  eastern 
and  southern  portions  of  tliecouiit.v,  tho 
surfa<'e.  for  the  most  part,  is  gentl.v  roll- 
ing, rising,  however,  in  the  northern 
ami  western  sectiims  of  the  count.v,  into 
high  and  hInlTy  hills.  In  tho  southern 
and  eastern  sections  of  the  county,  the 
soil  is  of  a  ricli  black  loam,  with  a  large 
admixture  of  vegetable  mould:  liow- 
cver,  on  the  extreme  eastern  liorder  a 
narrow  bell  of  land  is  found,  where  tho 
soil  is  a  light  sand.v  loam.  The  soil  of 
the  timbered  lands  in  tho  West  is  of  a 
deep  clay  loam,  and  prodiii'es  abun- 
dantly, when  cultivated,  all  varieties  of 
crops,  The  count.v  contains  ;)(i7,7l';!  acres 
of  land,  with  at  least  one-third  under 
cultivation.  Facilities  for  water-power 
are  almost  unlimited.  Two  rivers  trav- 
erse the  county,  besides  untold  numbers 
of  creeks  and  small  streams,  most  of 
which  furnish  valiialde  hydraulic!  power, 
utilized  for  g'-ist-mills,  saw-mills,  card- 
Ing-inills,  &c.  Lead  is  found  In  several 
parts  of  the  county.  The  Sugar  liiver 
diggings,  in  the  north  part,  were  once 
(luite  celebrated,  and  yieliled  a  rich  re- 
turn for  the  capital  and  labor  Investeil, 
but  are  now  deserted  on  account  of  no 
water.  One  of  the  great  advantages  of 
(iieeu  Ciuinty  is  the  extent  and  remark- 
able dlstribuiion  of  timber,  —  timber  and 
prairie,  prairie  and  timber,  evcrvwiiere. 
The  largest  tracts  are  in  tho  southern 
part,  where  Is  to  be  found  maple,  hick- 
ory, walnut,  basswood,  ash,  and  many 
varieties  of  oak.  Fish  are  found  in 
nearly  all  streams. 

Uailroad  facilities  are  good;  and  it 
has  several  prospective  roads  surveyed. 
Agriculture  is,  and  will  probably  re- 
main, tho  leading  interest  of  the  count.v; 
yet  its  manufacturing  interests  are  nei- 
ther few  nor  unimportant.  The  climate 
is  excellent,  as  the  fonuer  statements 
will  Indicate:  the  land  being  rolling,  tlio 
whole  counlv  almost  without  imirslies, 
when  cool  and  fresh  .springs  and  brooks 
abound  throughout  tho  county,  it  would 
be  safe  to  predict  tho  general  healthlul- 
iiess  of  the  county.  In  the  matter  of 
scliool-biiildlugs  there  is  a  markeil  ad- 
vance on  many  sections  and  counties  of 
the  State. 

At  Monroe  there  is  one  large  wagon- 
factory,  turning  out  from  a  tliousaud  to 
two  thousand  wagons  per  year,  and 
there  are  several  smaller  .sliops.  Monroe 
is  a  ver.v  thriving  town  of  about  Ihiee 
thousand  iiihabitant.s.  It  lias  several 
graded  schools,  eleven  churches,  and 
two  prlnting-oHicea. 

IJrodhead  Is  also  a  thriving  town,  with 
six  churches,  schools  in  proportion,  and 
about  sixteen  hundred  inliabilants. 

Queen  Lake  Count  v. '  —  This  is  cue 

>  M.  H.  Powers  of  Dartlorcl  was  the  con- 
tributor of  tbia  ikeUsb.  -  U.  it.  T. 


672 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


of  the  smnllest  counties  in  the  State.  It 
contains  Fox  Lake,  — a  beautiful  sheet 
of  water,  lierlin,  Princjetou,  and  Mar- 
kesau  me  the  incorporated  towns  in  the 
county,  of  which  Derlin  is  flie  nuist  im- 
portant, havint;  a  population,  in  IH70,  of 
2,77H.  It  is  situated  on  the  Fox  Klver, 
at  a  point  wliere  the  Milwaukee  and  St. 
Paul  Uailroad  connects  with  it,  K'vin;; 
It  the  advantnge  of  botli  railroad  and 
water  coninmnication.  It  is  the  neat  of  a 
very  extensive  trade,  especially  with  the 
country  north  and  west  of  it.  Several 
hranihes  of  nianufaoturcs  are  cstah- 
lishod  here,  which  are  Krowinj;  into  very 
re<pe('tablo  proportions;  anionj?  which 
may  bo  specltled  mill ;  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  lumlwr,  froi  i  me  to  three  of 
which  have  been  runniut!  since  the  set- 
tlement of  tlie  town,  and  have  addeil 
not  a  little  to  its  development  and 
wealth.  Some  three  or  four  wa.^on  and 
carriage  shops  have  given  eniployment 
to  a  larite  number  of  liands;  while  the 
usual  coiiiplemenfof  workers  in  wood 
and  iron  in  the  finer,  as  well  as  coarser, 
varieties  of  the  arts,  are  not  waiitinR. 
There  are  also  three  steam  HourinK-mills, 
and  one  slea.n  woollen-mill  of  some  half- 
dozen  looms,  that  furnish  employment 
for  a  number  of  hands,  and  convert  the 
prodiue  of  the  country  into  marketable 
commodities. 

Princeton,  also,  is  situated  on  the  Fox 
Eivcr,  a  few  miles  above  lleilin.  It  has 
an  extensive  tra<le,  and  is  a  thriving 
vilhine.  It  has  an  ironfoundcry,  a  tloui'- 
infj-mill,  wajjon,  and  other  shops.  Mar- 
quette is  a  river-town  of  cimsiderable 
trade,  especially  in  luml)er  and  grain. 
MarUesan  Is  an  inland  village,  surround- 
ed by  a  very  rich  and  fertile  country; 
has  a  good  water-power;  a  prosperous 
trade  with  the  surrounding  conntry. 
D.artfonl,  the  county-scat,  is  sitimtcil  on 
the  oullct  of  the  lake  from  wliich  the 
county  ilnrives  its  nati\e.  It  has  n  beau- 
tiful location,  overlooking  the  lake;  and 
besides  the  court-house,  jail,  and  county 
odices,  has  two  Hourlug-mllls,  and  the 
usu.ll  variety  of  mechanics'  shops. 
Kingston  and  Manchester  are  inlan<l 
villages,  with  each  a  flouring-mlll;  and 
they  are,  each  of  them,  the  centre  of 
Rome  trade. 

Iowa  ("ountv. — This  county,  in  com- 
mon with  the  neighboring  counties 
where  lead  is  found,  in  the  development 
of  its  agricultural  resources,  and  a  svs- 
tom  of  general  industry,  was  retarded 
by  the  almost  exclusive  attention  paid 
by  the  early  settlers  to  ndnlng.  I3uf, 
w'ithin  the  past  few  years,  great  aiX- 
vanccnient  has  been  made  in  this  re- 
spect; and  now  the  county  ranks  as  the 
thirteenth  county  In  the  State  for  the 
aggregate  value  of  its  agriculturr'  pro- 
ductions. There  are  170,147  acres  of 
land  under  cultivation. 

The  railroaU  facilities  are  good.  There 


Is  a  road  running  to  Chicago  from  Min- 
eral Point,  and  the  Milwaukee  and 
Prairie  du  Chien,  running  the  whoia 
length  of  the  county  on  the  north. 
There  are  (|i\ite  a  number  of  lead-ore 
furnaces  in  the  county,  and  one  zinc-ore 
furnace,  iimking  as  good  a  quality  of 
zinc  as  can  be  found  In  the  world.  It 
is  maile  from  black-Jurk  and  drii-hone,  — 
two  kinds  of  ores  that  were  useless  rub- 
bish imtll  the  above-named  furnai^e  was 
built.  A  large  amount  of  zinc  ore  is 
shinpeil  to  La  Salle,  Illinois,  St.  Louis, 
anil  other  places. 

The  central  and  western  portions  of 
the  county  contain  agricultural  lands  of 
the  very  best  quality;  and,  where  the 
lanil  is  broken  and  hilly,  the  Welsh  and 
Norwegians,  interspersed  with  Ameri- 
cans and  other  nationalities,  in  their 
search  for  good  water  and  pasturage, 
have  made  it  a  very  garden.  There  is 
an  abundance  of  good  brick-day  in  the 
coui;ty,  and  sand  and  limestcmo  of  su- 
perior qualify;  but  the  qiuirries  have 
not  yet  beeii  worked  to  any  extent, 
though  several  buildings  have  been 
erected  from  this  stone.  There  is  a 
woollen-factory  at  Mifllin,  a  ('nrriage 
and  plough  factory  at  iJodgeville,  a 
s.asli,  door,  and  blind  factory  at  Mineral 
Point,  and  six  flouring-mills  in  dilTcreut 
parts  of  the  county. 

A  manufactory  for  making  paint-  from 
lead  anil  zinc  ore  coiihl  do  a  good  busi- 
ness, as  could  also  woollen-mills  ami 
brickyards. 

.Iacksox  Cou.vTY.i  —  The  surface  of 
the  county  is  generally  good;  in  the 
western  and  northern  portions  it  is 
high,  rolling  land,  with  oak-timber  on 
the  ridges.  Some  swamp-lands  are  to  be 
found  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county. 
The  east  half  is  a  sandy  loam,  while  the 
west  half  is  of  a  black  loam.  The  county 
contains  six  hundred  and  forty  thouiand 
acres  of  land,  eighty  thousanil  of  which 
are  under  cultivatli)n.  Of  tlio  balance, 
two  hundred  thousand  are  capable  of 
cultivation. 

Black  IJIver  rims  through  the  county 
from  the  nortli-east  to  the  sim£li-wo4t; 
also  numerous  small  streams  tributary 
thereto;  also  the  Trempealeau  Ilivor  in 
the  west  side.  The  water-power  is  some- 
what improved,  but  capable  of  tenfold 
more  improvement.  Above  black-river 
Falls  is  an  extensive  deposit  of  iron  of 
an  excellent  quality,  and  in  quantity 
sutHcient  to  supply  the  north  half  of 
North  America.  There  is  a  great  abun- 
dance of  the  ore,  which  must  ultimately 
be  a  great  source  of  prolit  to  this  section 
of  our  State.  There  are  some  tine 
stone-quarries  and  brickyards  carried  on 
quite  extenslvei.v.  Black  and  Trempea- 
leau Ilivers  traverse  the  coimty,  but  are 

■  This  sketch  la  compiled  from  one  written 
by  S.  \f.  Bowman.  —  U.  U.  T. 


UISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


678 


not  navisivWe.  Game  and  fish  of  nil 
kiiiils  alioiiiiil.  The  West  WIscDusin 
Ilaihvny  runs  Hi)utli-ca'<t  ami  north-west 
thvoiiKli  tlio  cimnty.  Lake  Pepni  Itail- 
roail  is  nmicrfonstriKtion,  and  will  also 
pass  tlinpiiKli  the  county.  Lnnilierlntj 
and  fariiiinf;  are  the  |)rimlpal  vocations 
of  industry.    Climate  temperate. 

jEFKKUsoy  CouxTy.i  —  Jefferson 
Couuty  is  an  interior  county  in  the 
State,  not  exactly  central  as  recards 
territory,  but  nearly  so  as  to  population. 
Its  surface  is  gently  rolling  or  nndu- 
latinj;,  interspersed  willi  woodlands, 
l)rairies,  auil  openings,  with  no  deep 
valleys  or  barren  hills,  but  abundantly 
watered  with  lakes,  rivers,  creeks,  and 
sprinjjs,  aiul  thi('kly  covered  with  heavy 
forests,  containliiK  a  choice  variety  of 
timber,  fully  suliicient  not  only  for  tuul, 
but  for  manutacturins  purpo.ses.  Soil 
rich,  and  well  adapted  for  wheat,  bar- 
ley, rye,  oats,  potatoes,  fndt,  &i!.  There 
are  .■!iW,(>40  acres  of  land  hi  the  county. 
About  two-thirds  of  all  lauds  are  under 
cidtivntion:  about  three-fourths  of  the 
balance  are  <'apablo  of  cidtivation. 

Jefferson  County  is  one  of  the  best 
counties  in  the  State,  so  far  as  respects 
fai'ilities  for  water-power.  Brick  are 
numufactured  from  clay-bc<ls  of  excel- 
lent quality  and  color,  coiuparing  favor- 
ably with  thecreain  brick  of  Milwaukee. 
Several  streams  and  rivers  rim  thionnh 
the  county;  none,  however,  nnvift.able. 
Itut  little  game  is  to  be  found.  Kailroad 
facilities  are  good,  and  future  proipects 
eucoura'.iiut,'.  Various  kinds  of  manu- 
factures diversify  the  pursuits  of  the 
different  classei  of  society,  givin<;  ronui- 
nerative  employment  to  capital  and 
lalior  We  nuiy  ad<l,  that  there  are  sev- 
eral mineral  sprintts,  possessing  med- 
ical (nudities,  looatod  at  Waterloo  and 
Water!  own. 

Wuterliiii-n  is  situated  on  botli  sides  of 
Rock  Hiver,  at  the  line  between  Dodge 
and  JetTerson  Counties,  ou  the  Milwau- 
kee and  St  Paul  Kailroad,  forty  nules 
east  of  Madison,  and  on  the  Chicago 
and  North-western  Iiailroad.  It  is  in 
the  centre  of  au  excellent  farmingcoun- 
liy,  ail  excellent  water-power,  the  rap- 
ids aliove  the  city  having  a  fall  of  twen- 
ty-four feet;  an(i  it  is  n  place  of  niucli 
liusiness  importance.  It  was  lirst  .set- 
tled in  lH:Ki,  and  was  then  known  as 
Johnson's  Itapids.  It  has  a  number  of 
grist-mills  and  other  manufacturing  es- 
tablishments. Kxcellent  bri<'k  is  made 
lie<e,  and  a  variety  of  agricultural  im- 
plements. The  city  has  twelve  or  more 
cinirches  of  various  religious  ilenomina- 
tinus.  The  manufactiuies  ccuisist  of 
Honring- mills,  saw -mills,  fonnderies, 
pottery,  wagons,  ami  cabinet-ware. 

Population,  1875,  !»,0'J4. 

'  Tho  skotch  of  Joffcrson  County  was  con- 
tributeil  by  lloiu-y  t'oloiUuB.  —  C.  K.  T- 


Juneau  Countv.i  —  Owing  to  tlie  fact 
tliat  the  central  and  northern  sections 
of  the  county  are,  f<ir  the  most  part,  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  lumber, 
and  other  prodiictiims  of  the  forest,  it* 
agricultural  resources  have  been  but 
partially  ilevelopeil.  Still  the  popula- 
tiiui  is  increasing;  and  .settlements  and 
villages  are  dottini;  the  entire  county. 
Its  general  surface  is  undulating;  aiid 
Its  quality  of  soil  varies  from  a  rich  loam 
to  sand.  The  county  contains  five  hun- 
dred and  lifty  thousand  acres,  and  has 
twenty-live  tliousand  under  cultivation. 
Bona  tide  holders  own  about  fifteen 
thousand  acres,  worth  ten  dollars  per 
acre.  The  State  owns  a  hundred  ami 
twenty-live  thousand  acres  of  land, 
worth  from  fifty  cents  to  one  dollar  per 
acre,  consisting  of  low  meadow-lamls 
and  cranlicrry-marshes.  Several  parties 
are  at  present  engaged  in  preparing  the 
ground  for  the  cultivation  of  this  fruit. 
Certainly  no  county  in  the  St.tte  pre- 
sents eqtial  ailvantages  for  the  carrymg- 
on  of  this  branch  of  industry.  '  The 
General  Oovernment  owns,  subject  to 
entry  under  the  homestead  laws,  aljout 
a  hunilred  and  twenty-Hvo  thousand 
acres,  including  railroiui  lands.  Water- 
power  is  little  improved;  l)ut  there  are 
great  facilities  for  extensive  iicnrove- 
nients.  The  forests  are  timbered  with 
pine  and  hard-wood  timber.  Stone 
quarries  are  worked  wiili  success  In 
many  parts  of  the  county.  Several 
small  streams  traverse  tho  county;  the 
Wisconsin  being  t  lie  only  navigable  one. . 
Fish  and  game  are  found  in  large  quan- 
tities. The  Milwaukee  and  St.  I'aiil' 
Hallro,id  runs  IhroiiLth  the  county  from, 
east  to  west,  ami  the  Chicago  and  K(U'th- 
western  up  the  llarraboo  Valley.  From- 
Mineral  Point  are  lines  projected;  and 
some  of  them  will  pass  tlirough  the 
c(mnty,  without  iloitbt.  The  lumber- 
Interests  occupy  a  very  prominent  i>lace^ 
in  the  resources  of  the  county.  Iron 
and  copper  mines  are  known  to  exist, 
iiiit  are  not  worked.  The  climate  Is 
healthy,  the  water  soft,  and,  withal,  it" 
bids  fair  to  keen  [laie  with  its  sister 
counties  in  population,  wealth,  and  in- 
telligence. 

Kexosha County.'-— Kenosha  County 
is  strictly  an  agricultural  county.  Th  ire- 
is  little  inacliincvy  driven  by  water- 
power,  iuid  but  five  places  deserving  the- 
name  of  villages.  Kenosha  is  the  only 
place  of  trade  of  any  note.  Small 
places,  perhaps  the  germ  of  future  vil- 
lages, may  bo  noticed  at  the  dilVerent 
depots  along  the  line  cif  the  Western 
Uallroad.     In  fact,  at  several  of  these - 


'  Tlds  Rkctcli  of  Jnnenii  Conntv  whs  con- 
trlliutod  bv  C.  F.  CuIIlt,  I.  J.  Illnton,  niul 
Ooorpi  B.  iNicliol.-is.  —  (.'.  U.  T. 

'  This  skotch  of  KuiiohIiii  Couiitv  \v.i»  cou-« 
tributod  by  F.  NcwuU  of  Paris.  — 0. 11.  T. 


674 


BISTORT  OF  wrscoNsiy. 


depot<«,  a  larRB  ninoiint  of  trade  has 
already  siti-iiiiH  up  in  cattle,  sheej),  and 
swine,  and  tlio  various  proilucts  of  tlie 
farm.  Wnrcliounes  for  tlio  stornge  of 
grain,  Hnperseding  tlic  luijie  Ijuililings 
on  tlie  laiie-slicjrc,  liave  ln'cn  built  at 
several  stations;  anil  most  of  the  niar- 
kef  ins  of  grain  is  done  at  these  places,  so 
that  little  or  no  grain  is  shipped  at  the 
lake-port. 

At  one  of  these  stations,  a  planing- 
mlU,  a  sash  and  door  fa<'tory,  a  grist- 
mill, and  a  cheese-fnctor.v  are  now  in 
operation.  Yet,  at  the  present  time, 
the  principal  nuinnfactiires,  aside  from 
cheese-making,  are  fonnd  at  Kenosha. 

The  manufacture  of  Inmher-wagons 
ma,v  be  considered  the  leading  indus- 
trial pursuit.  The  production  of  these 
establishments  at  Kenosha  is  valued 
at  i?WH,S,").").  At  AVilmot  a  hundred  and 
llfty  wagons  are  yearly  made,  valued 
at  twelve  llnmsand  dollars;  one  shop 
einploying  a  liunilred  and  fifty  men. 

The  two  founderies  at  Kenosha  pro- 
duce two  htmdred  thousand  dollars' 
worth  of  thimble  skeins,  boilers,  ami 
repairs.  At  the  tanneries  Sl<>;<,55(>  worth 
of  leather  and  skins  was  the  product  of 
1870.  The  malt-houses  give  a  hundred 
and  thirty  -  eight  thousand  dollars  as 
their  yearly  products;  breweries,  twen- 
ty-eight thousand  ilollars.  Tlio  Hsliing- 
Interests  at  Kenosha,  or  aiVjaccnt  there- 
to, are  valued  at  .SI'2,47r>  yearly;  match- 
factory,  about  tldrty  thotisand  dollars. 

Pressed  hay  to  the  amount  of  1,7.')0 
tons,  valued  at  S-<>,'-30,  is  yearly  put  up. 
The  lumber-interest  amounts  to  ei«ht 
million  feet  of  pine,  and  one  million  feet 
of  hard  lumlier.  two  thousand  cords  of 
wood,  and  three  million  shingles.  One 
factory  e.tports  yearly  two  thousand 
bales  of  flax,  valued  at  twelve  tlioiisanil 
dollars.  The  several  estalilishmeuts  for 
the  manufacture  of  boots  and  shoes  have 
a  very  considerable  home  and  foreign 
trade.  The  business  at  the  different 
shops  where  harnesses  and  saddles  are 
njanufactnred  is  quite  satisfactory  to 
the  manufacturers,  and  furnishes  quite 
an  item  of  trade  in  Kenosha. 

The  valley  of  the  Fox  lUver  and  the 
Des  I'laines,  together  with  the  numer- 
ous small  lakes  and  streams,  furnishes 
abundant  water  for  grazing-purposes; 
accordingl.v  Kenosha  County  largel.v 
excels  hi  the  dairying-business.  Some 
twenty  ditTerent  establishments  on  the 
factor.v  principle  are  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  ot  cheese.  Although  some 
are  in  their  infancy,  yet  about  six  hun- 
dred and  cight;^  -seven  thousand  pounds 
were  mannfa<!tured  last  year,  valued  at 
eigh.y-Hve  thousand,  eight  hundred 
diulars.  Other  factories  are  soon  to  be 
started,  and  the  dairy-business  will  leail 
the  ogricultural  interest  of  the  county. 
In  the  above  statement  we  do  not  in- 
clude the  farm  dairying  of  the  county. 


'  On  ver.v  many  farms,  where  several 
cows  are  kept,  a  siifflcient  supply  of 
cheese  is  made  for  home  consumption. 
The  amount  of  butter  annually  sold 
exceeds  in  value  that  of  wheat. 

The  number  of  acres  umler  the  plough 
falls  hut  little  short  of  former  years; 
but  there  are  less  acres  devoted  to 
wheat.  The  raising  of  com  is  largely 
on  the  in(!rea.se,  not  for  export,  but  to 
be  fed  r  :i  the  premises.  The  beef,  pork, 
and  sheep  sent  to  Chicago  last  year  by 
railroad  amounted  to  one  hundred  and 
fifty  car-loails;  in  value,  one  liundred 
thousand  dollars.  In  additi(m  to  the 
above,  a  large  nundier  of  cattle,  sheep, 
and  swine,  were  driven  to  Milwaukee 
and  elsewhere.  Stoi'k-raising  is  begin- 
ning to  attract  the  attention  of  the  best 
farmers  in  the  county.  The  thorough- 
bred "short  horns"  are  believed  to  lie 
the  best  to  cross  with  otir  native  stock. 
The  low  price  ot  wool  has  materially 
diminished  the  demand  for  sheep;  and 
the  number  of  tine  woolled  sheep  has 
very  much  lessened  within  two  or  three 
years  past.  Yet  the  value  of  the  wool 
crop  in  Kenosha  County  aiuotinted  to 
nearly  sixty  thousand  dollars  for  1870. 
It  is  believed,  however,  that  the  de- 
mand for  wool  will  be  siittlcient  to 
induce  farmers  to  continue  raising  this 
important  staple  of  our  county. 

The  fruit  of  Kenosha  County  begins  to 
attract  considerable  attention.  Apples 
are  ycarlv  becoming  more  abundant; 
and,  as  tiio  soil  bei^cnnes  more  drained 
and  better  tilled,  the  apple-crop  will  be 
most  certainl.v  ample  for  the  wants  of 
the  communit.v. 

A'cHosAff  is  a  flourishing  town,  and  the 
capital  of  Keiuisha  County.  It  is  eligi- 
bly situateil  on  a  bluff  on  the  western 
shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  flfty-tive  miles 
ncu'th  of  Chicago,  and  thiity-tlve  miles 
south  of  Milwaukee.  It  is  the  most 
southern  lake-port  in  the  State,  and  has 
a  good  harbor,  with  piers  extending  into 
the  lake.  The  Hrst  settlement  of  the 
t<iwn  was  made  in  ^H'-iti.  It  is  sur- 
rounded by  a  beaufifitl  fertile  prairie, 
under  good  cultivation.  The  Chicago 
and  Milwaukco  liailroad  posses  through 
Kenosha;  and  it  is  also  the  eastern  ter- 
minus of  the  road  running  from  Rock 
Island  north-east.  There  were,  in  1H74, 
twenty-live  vessels  enrolled  atKenosha, 
with  a  tonnage  of  7,"J54,'J0.  Population, 
187.'),  4,!W!t. 

Kewaunke  CocNTY.i  —  Kewauneo 
County  is  situateil  on  the  shore  of  I.iako 
Michigan,  one  hundred  and  ten  ndles 
from  Jlilwaukee.  The  general  topogra- 
ph.v   of    the   count.v    is   rolling.      The 


quality  of  its  farming-lands  is  excellent, 
though  in  some  places  swaniny,  yet, 
when  drained,  is  susceptible  ot  produ- 


>  This  sketch  wss  contributed  by  Kdward 
Roch  and  W.  V.  Perry  ot  Ahnepee.  —  C.  &  T. 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


«?» 


rint;  enital  to  the  Tiplanda.  Tn  the  east- 
ern pint  of  the  coniity  the  soil  is  of  a 
rlay  loam;  hut,  as  yon  approach  the 
west  line  of  the  I'onnty,  it  is  mixed  with 
({ravel  and  sand.  Tliero  is  hardly  an 
aire  of  land  in  the  ('ouiity  hut  what  is 
('ii|>Hhie  of  cnltivation.  Actual  nettler» 
are  in  nossessiiui  of  aliout  one  hundred 
and  lllty  thousand  acres  of  laud:  tlie 
halanco  is  held  ijiostly  hy  speculators. 
Tlie  ciuinty  is  lieavily  tinilwred:  the 
varieties  are  principally  oak,  beech, 
maple,  hiisswood,  elm,  cedar,  pine, 
hemlock,  and  tamarack.  Owins  to  the 
facilities  for  water-transportation,  lum- 
Iier  and  timlior  find  a  ready  market, 
liailroail  fai'ilitics  are  as  yet  prospective; 
hut  the  Green  Hay  and  Lake  I'epin 
Ilailroad  must  eventually  have  a  ter- 
minus (Ml  the  lake,  and  Ahnupeo  will 
be  the  most  direct  point. 

The  principal  source  of  industry  is 
agriculture.  Winter  Avheat  has  lieen 
jjrown  in  this  county,  asfjregalin);  forty- 
two  bushels  to  the  acre,  and  weijihiuK 
sixty -two  pounils  to  the  measured 
bn^ilel.  Next  in  importance  is  the  dairy 
business.  Maiuifa('turer»  will  in  the 
future  find  eliKihle  localities  here,  as 
tiriil)er,  and  especially  hard-wood  varie- 
ties, is  so  plentifid. 

Kewaunee  village  manufactures  lum- 
ber to  a  large  extent;  and  the  supply  of 
tindier  will  last  for  manv  years  to  come. 

La  Ckosse  Coi'NTY.'  —  About  one- 
third  of  tins  county  is  prairie,  and  has  a 
very  fertile  black  s<iil:  nearly  one-third 
is  blulTy,  which  is  remarkably  adapted 
for  stock-raising:  the  balan<e  is  timber, 
sand,  swamp,  and  poor  bluffs.  County 
contains  about  three  hundred  thousand 
acres  of  land,  —  two  hundred  and  fifty 
tliousand  assessed,  anil  a  hundred  anil 
lifty  thousand  undcrcidtivation.  Nearly 
seven-eighths  are  in  possession  of  actmd 
settlers,  hfcld  at  an  average  price  of  tif- 
teen  dollars  per  acre.  State  owns  five 
thousand  acres  of  land,  mostly  located 
on  the  Mississippi  Uivcr  bottoms.  Owned 
by  (leneral  Government,  and  subject  to 
entry  under  Homeste.ad  Law,  is  about 
forty  thousand  acres,  quality  being  gen- 
erally poor,  bluffy,  swamp,  and  sandy 
land,  and  located  in  all  parts  of  the  oouii- 
ty.  Facilities  for  water-powers  are  good ; 
many  of  which  are  improved,  ami  have 
been  made  to  serve  as  a  valuable  item 
in  the  coininercial  interests  of  the  coun- 
ty. The  prevailing  timber  of  the  forests 
is  black  and  white  oak.  Valuable  stone- 
(|uan-ies  are  worked,  and  of  jjood  qual- 
ity. IHack  anil  La  Crosse  Rivers  trav- 
erse the  county,  though  navigable  only 
for  logs  and  rafts.  The  Milwaukee  anil 
St.  I'.aul  Kailroad  runs  through  the 
county  from  east  to  west,  also  Winona 

*  Our  dkotch  of  La  Crosse  County  was  con- 
tributed by  1'.  S.  Elwell  of  Wnuhincimcs,  H. 
N.  Solberg,  and  Charles  Seymour.  —  C.  U.  T. 


"cut-off"  on  western  border.  Several 
roads  are  in  contemplation,  with  en(;our- 
aging  prospects. 

The  dairy,  as  a  branch  of  agriculture, 
has  received  considerable  attenlicui,  and 
has  been  .satisfactory  aiul  profitable  to 
all  (concerned. 

The  county  has  little  prairie-land. 
The  choice  farms  in  all  directions  are  in 
valleys  of  exceeding  richness;  and  from 
the  bold  bluffs,  which  are  perpetually 
waslied  by  raiu  in  spring,  summer,  and 
autumn,  and  by  snow  in  winter,  to  en- 
rich the  valley -lands,  living  springs  send 
out  ge1ieroi:s  streams  of  the  purest  wa- 
ter. The  tiers  of  Wisconsin  and  Minne- 
sota Counties  on  tlio  Mississippi  Itiver, 
although  rough,  are  remarkably  adapted 
to  stock-raising  and  ilairy  purposes. 
AVhile  the.se  valley-farms  are  perpetually 
replenislied  by  tlie  wash  from  the  bluff 
slopes,  the  latter  are  kept  in  deep  verd- 
ure by  the  moisture  caused  by  great  atul 
sudden  disnarity  in  the  temperatures  of 
water,  land,  and  air,  and  by  the  invigo- 
rating ammonia  produced  by  the  late 
autumn  and  carfy  si)ring  tires.  These 
bluffs  are  thus  self-constituted  fertilizing 
agents  to  strengthen  the  valley-fanns 
for  the  heavier  task  of  viblding  generous 
crops.  Vegetation  in  La  Crosse  Coimty, 
on  the  first  day  of  June,  is  usually  as 
far  advanced  as  it  is  in  Northern  Illinois 
and  Northern  Indiana  two  or  three 
weeks  later. 

In  reference  to  home-markets,  it  is 
gratifying  to  notice  in  and  at  the  city  of 
La  Crosse,  with  a  population  of  about 
ten  thousand,  which  is  one-half  of  the 
entire  county,  increased  attention  to 
manufactures,  which  give  employment 
to  large  nuud)ers  of  skilled  artisan.s, 
who  l)econie  valuable  consumers  of 
farm-products;  and  thus  between  the 
demands  for  honie-consuuipliou,  and  for 
Southern  and  Eastern  markets  by  water 
and  rail  transportation,  the  farmci'S  have 
a  choice  of  markets.  This  .serves  to 
illustrate  the  substantial  benefits  derived 
by  farmers  from  proxinuty  to  manufac- 
turing estabiishnient.s,  ami  demonstrates 
the  existence  of  a  permanent  bond  of 
sympathy  and  a  mutual  interest  between 
these  two  higher  branidies  of  industry. 
The  lumberin^j-interests  of  tiie  Black 
River  have  their  seat,  centre,  and  market 
of  purchase,  sale,  and  supply,  at  La 
Crosse;  and  from  tliis  source  alone  iiuini- 
fold  benefits  accrue  to  the  agricultural 
producers  of  this  and  contiguous  (cnin- 
ties.  The  largest,  safest,  and  best  shin- 
yard  between  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio 
River  and  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony  is 
located  in  the  well-protected  harbor  be- 
tween La  Crosse  and  the  mouth  of  Rlack 
River.  It  is  the  headquarters  of  the 
large  fleet  of  steamers  and  Ijarges  em- 
ployed in  the  navigation  of  the  Cpper 
Mississippi  and  its  tributaries.  It  is  a 
valuAble  item  in  the  cummorcial  ele- 


676 


niHTORT  OF  WISCONSrN. 


ineiits  of  tills  vii'lnlty,  ns  the  products  of 
tliif  ■.■111  ;in(l  fiiroHt,  iiiiil  tlio  skill  niiil  lii- 
Imr  (if  iiuM'lmiiics,  nro  In  liir>;u  riMiiiest 
(liiiimt  till"  wliiti!!' scatiiii,  wlii.-ii  iiavlK'n- 
tlmi  is  .siispcmlcil,  unci  wliiMi,  in  iillicr 
I'll  alilies,  tliiTO  is  conipnnitively  ii  ilc- 
pii'ssiiiii  ill  liiiHiiiess.  Tims  it  will  li« 
Hi'cn  tliat  r,a  (Jinsso  City  and  (Jounty 
aiu  favorulily  liicnied,  cDnstltiitfid,  and 
ocinplcMl,  Willi  ri'fereni'o  to  aj^ririiltnral 
niid  iitlier  inditstrial  interests;  and  that 
with  railriiads  rearhinj;  cast  and  west, 
and  river-navijiation  north  and  south, 
their  I'omliticin  is  prosperous. 

Kdncalioii  is  not  neglected,  Imt  re- 
I'l'ives vi;ioi(ms attention.  The charaitor 
of  tlieinhaliilants,  the  majority  of  wlioin 
are  ai  rnstomeil  to.  ami  fully  appreiiato 
the  value  of.  popular  education,  would 
Insure  due  regard  to  this  most  important 
feature  of  a  well-ordered  community. 
\s  to  the  press  of  La  (;rosse,  it  is  safe 
to  say,  that  lilierally-patronized  and 
enterprising  new.spapers,  niihlished  in 
the  Knglish.  Oermnn,  and  Si'aiulinavian 
laiignafjcs,  have  long  heen  in  successful 
ojicration. 

M'itn  so  man.v  elements  of  strength 
and  intliienco  actively  cni|)loyed,  no  one 
need  he  Kurpri-ied  at  the  stead.v  and 
rapid  progre-is  of  the  city  and  county  of 
I,a  Crosse.  AVithout  lioristing,  it  may  he 
truthfully  said.  La  Crosse  is  one  of  the 
live,  progiessive.  enterprising,-  i)iosjier- 
oiis  points  in  the  West;  anil  thesoliility, 
heauty.  and  niagiiillcenco  of  its  private 
resiliences,  puhlic  edilices,  and  Inisiuess 
Hstahlishments,  would  ho  inlerprefod  hy 
any  intelligent  observer  as  ])alpnlile  evi- 
dence of  wealth  and  rellnement.  The 
recent  discovery  of  aeonsiileralileipnin- 
tity   uf   liiluminons  coal   of  a  superior 

Jnallt.v,  at  a  deplh  of  about  forty-live 
cet  from  the  surface  of  the  ground, 
where  three  German  farmers  were  dig- 
ging a  well  on  the  side  and  near  the  base 
of  one  of  the  bluffs,  about  four  miles 
east  of  La  Crosse,  establishes,  beyond  all 
eontroversy,  the  fact  that  Wiscdiisin  has 
eoal  of  a  good  (piality;  and  it  is  to  be 
hopeil  that  meauires  will  soon  bo  adopt- 
ed to  develop  this  Important  resource. 

/.,((  Crimsc,  the  capital  of  La  Crosse 
County,  is  sitiiate.l  on  the  left  bank  of 
the  Mississippi  Itiver,  at  the  month  of 
La  Crosse  L'lver,  and  on  the  Milwaukee 
anil  St.  I'aul  llailmad,  about  ll'o  miles 
north-west  of  Madisira. 

.She  is  the  "(lateway  Cit.v"  of  both 
the  fertile  liclds  uf  Southern  >rinnesota, 
and  of  the  immense  pine-regions  in  tiie 
north.  The  lilufTs  back  of  the  city  fur- 
nish inexhaustible  supplies  of  the  best 
of  limestone.  Ihick  is  manufactured 
near  b^v;  and  lumber,  in  immense  quan- 
tities, H  fiiund  at  her  verv  doors,  rims 
tlie  natural  advantages  of  La  Crosse  are 
tinexcelled. 

She  stands  the  fifth  city  of  tho  State 
ill  i>oX)uIatiun,  and  the  seuoud  in  coiu- 


merelnl  Importance.  f?he  possesses  ten 
or  twelve  blocks  of  paved  streets,  hav- 
ing been  paved  with  the  Nicholson,  cir 
maciulamiiteil,  and  well  graded;  a  line 
cii>  building;  a  very  etllcient  pulice-do- 
partment ;  and  a  lire-department,  which 
does  very  e.\cellent  service  Tlic  cilu- 
i'at4iinal  ailvantages  of  I^a  (.'rosso  cun- 
not  bo  excelled.  There  are  four  ward 
schools,  a  high  school,  and  u  normal  in- 
stitnte  in  the  city. 

If  the  moralii.v  of  a  comniunitv  eau 
bo  measured  by  the  size  and  elegance  of 
its  churches,  as  compared  with  the  num- 
ber of  its  inliabitants,  wo  must  idace  I.ift 
Crosse  in  the  front  rank  of  moral  cities. 
Tho  Cougregatiomil  Ch.;ri'li  is  a  brick 
building,  with  a  lino  spire  and  bell:  it 
alio  contains  a  very  line  organ.  Tho 
Itaplist  is  a  very  line  stone  c  hnri  h.  Tlie 
Ibiman-Catholic  is  a  ver.v  large  structure 
of  brick.  lU'sides  these  are  many  oth- 
ers; nearly  every  denomination  and  .sect 

i  being  represented. 

I     There  are  five  iiewsnapers  publisheil 

I  in  La  Crosse,  —  three  I'liglish,  ouu  Ger- 
man, and  one  Xorwegiiiu. 

'  I'omeioy's  Opera  House  Hlock  is  a 
very  lino  building.  It  is  a  solidly  built 
block  of  red  brick,  a  hundred  ami  ten 
feet  sipiare,  five  stories  liigh;  the  lower 
half-basement  story  si.xtcen  feet  high, 
tho  others  fourteen  feet.  The  h>wer 
portion  of  this  building  is  u-ed  and  oc- 
(•npied  by  the  newspaper  publishers  of 
tho  city.  "  The  upper  story  of  the  build- 
ing is  occupied  li.v  the  Opera  Hall,  a 
hundred  and  ten  by  eiglify  feet.  Tho 
scenery  ami  stage  appliam  e's  of  this  hall 
are  excellent:  it  lias  seating  capacity 
for  about  lifteen  hundred  persons. 

The  munufactmiug  interests  are  well 
represented  in  La  Ciosso.  Three  ver.v 
largo  saw-mills,  and  .several  Huialler 
ones,  mannlactnro  almost  incrediblo 
i|uantities  of  lumber,  which  is  shipped 
into  the  siurouuding  couiiiy,  and  over 
the  several  railroads  leading  out  of  tlie 
city.  liesides  these,  there  are  four  man- 
ufactories of  fariuing-implemeuis,  two 
of  threshing-machines,  three  founderies, 
a  large  iiloiigh-factorv,  boiler-works,  a 
large  door,  sasb.  and  blind  factory,  a 
woollen-mill,  and  the  usual  eompletneut 
of  smiiller  manufiu.'toiies. 

In  the  meivantile  line,  Mons  Anderson, 
dry-goods  merchant,  is  pnibably  the 
heaviest  dealer.  He  occupies  a  spacious 
store  in  his  largo  biiilUiug,  the  largest 
private  mercantile  edilicu  in  the  State, 
ontsido  of  Milwaukee.  In  tlio  thiril 
stor.v  of  tliis  builiUng  is  located  Al- 
well's  linsiness  College,  which  oilers  the 
best  advantages  in  the  West  for  a  com- 
niercial  edueatlou. 
roimlation,  1K7,").  n,ni'J. 
Laf.xvktte  CofMV. '  —  This  is  one  of 

^  Wo  arc  iiulHtited  to  I...  E.  rjoluison  of 
DnrlliiRloii,  and  .loha  ('.  Wood  of  Wiolii,  for 
nmt«i'lal!i  for  this  sketcli.  —  C  li.  X. 


nisTonr  of  wrscoNSiif. 


677 


flio  fli-*t  wttleil  cniinflet  In  the  State; 
lint  iiH  lil'i'  mill  |)r<is)i(Miiv  rcceiveil  ))iit 
litilu  iiii|i«liit  Miitil  witliiu  till)  liiHMlec- 
mle:  iit'iirl.v  all  nf  the  piiiiciiml  afjiicul- 
tiiral  ro^miniis  liuve  l«cii  dcvelopeil 
within  tliis  iiciiiMl,  Tlio  Keiienil  toprij;- 
riipliy  "f  tlio  (imiitv  is  undulating. 
The  siiil  it  an  ailniixtiirn  of  lilaik  Iciiini 
ami  (Ihv,  County  I'lmtniiH ,'(!(", ;!(Mia(;re.s 
of  laiiil,  thveo-l'iimtli.-iof  which  aru  nnder 
cidlivatiiin.  Nearly  all,  however,  in 
callable  of  the  hiijlient  iiiltivatioii.  All 
the  lands  are  in  ijossession  of  hund-jUte 
holders,  exiept  a  few  small  tra<:ts,  whiih 
nre  owneil  hv  the  State.  AVater-faiili- 
tles  are  exrellent,  Iiut  only  used  in  the 
runnini;  of  tlonr-niiils;  no  other  kinds  of 
iiiai'hlnery  of  any  account  liein;;  used 
Aijriciiltnre  is  the  leading  industry  of 
the  coinu'.v;  yet  a  lar^e  niiinher  are  en- 
>;n;.;ed  in  leail mining,  which  is  carried 
on  with  perfect  system.  l..ead  is  found 
in  nil  positions,  ami  in  every  town  of  the 
county;  the  largest ndnelieinn  in  Shulls- 
Imr);.  Lead  i.s  luincipally  fonnil  in  orev- 
Ices  in  rocks,  mixed  with  clay  and  sand. 
Copper  has  lieen  worked  witli  but  little 
success.  The  carlionate  of  zinc  is  found 
in  most  of  om  lead-shafts,  but  has  never 
li<!en  put  to  any  use.  The  prcvnilin}; 
timlier  is  oak,  walnut,  ma|)le,  hickory, 
and  ash.  1'ekatoidca,  Galena,  an<l  other 
branches  traver.se  the  county,  and  aio 
Htiicked  with  bhu  k  buss  and  pickerel. 
The  Illinois  Central  liailroad  runs 
through  the  I'oimty  niutli  ami  south, 
nearly  in  its  centre.  Tliero  is  a  very 
favorable  prospect  that  the  Monroe 
bram  h  of  the  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul 
Kailroail  will  be  extended  to  the  Mis- 
sissippi, running  through  the  county 
east  and  west.  FarndnK  and  mining; 
are  the  ])rincipal  sources  of  industry. 

Much  attention  has  been  paiil  tu  the 
root-crops.  Tile  potato,  owintj  to  a  nood 
market  south,  has  comnnimled  n  Kood 
price,  and  consccpientl.v  has  been  larjiely 
cultivated.  Man.v  new  varieties  havt^ 
been  experimented  with:  the  rage  has 
quite  eipialied  the  hop-fover.  This 
county  claims  to  understand  the  potato- 
ciiltnre,  and  regards  it  o-s  having  yielded 
the  best  results  of  any  thing  put  into 
the  ground.  The  English  farmers  cling 
with  tena<'ity  to  the  turiup,  which  is  by 
them  regardeii  as  essential  to  good  hus- 
bandry ;  while  llie  American  farmer  cul- 
tivates the  carrot  as  more  nutritious,  and 
less  liidk.v. 

They  have  been  more  successful  in 
the  cultivation  of  fruit  than  most  of  the 
counties  of  the  State.  A  great  variety  of 
apples  are  ex)nbii«d  at  our  annual  fairs. 
The  apple-crop  of  the  county  supplies 
most  of  the  demand  for  home-consump- 
tion. From  ls,V)  to  IWK),  many  things 
combined  to  injure  fruit  and  fruit-trees; 
but,  since  that  time,  there  has  been  a 
marked  improvement  in  the  general 
health  of  the  orchards,  as  well  as  au  iu- 


crea-'o  In  the  yield.  Tlio  bark-louse  has 
entirely  disappeared  in  a  largo  niiniber 
of  the  old  orchards,  thereby  indicatini; 
an  improved  condition  in  tlie  health  of 
the  triie. 

A  good  qmilit.v  of  brick-clay  Is  found 
in  various  part  <  of  the  county;  ami  there 
is  a  good  brickyaril  at  Darlington 

The  three  lirincipal  villages  in  the 
count.v  are  I)arlington  (the  county- 
seat),  Shullsburg,  ami  Itelmont.  The 
schoids  in  these  villages  are  all  tlrst- 
class;  the  schoolhonses  costing  from 
twenty  to  thirty  thousand  dollars  each. 
The.se  villages,  as  well  as  the  whole 
ccmnty,  are  well  supplied  with  churihes. 
There  are  one  hundred  and  twenty 
schoolhonses  in  the  county,  mostly  in 
good  condition.  Waues  for  male  teach- 
ers average  8:5,')..'5(),  and  for  female  teacli- 
ers  .*^:i2.5(l,  per  month. 

The  nationality  of  the  inhabitants  !■< 
about  one-fourth  Irish,  one-eighth  Kng- 
llsh,  one-eighth  (lernuuis,  dne-tifth  Nor- 
wegians, and  the  balance  Americans. 
The  nuijurity  of  the  Norwegians  are  in 
tlie  eastern  portion:  the  others  are  .scat- 
tered all  over  the  county, 

SIanitowoc  CoiTNTY.'  —  The  surface 
of  this  cotmty  is  i>rincipally  rolling,  ami 
covered  with  hard-wood  limber,  consist- 
ing of  oak,  beech,  majjle,  cedar,  ami 
hendo(!k.  The  last  is  principally  valua- 
ble for  its  bark,  whi<n  is  very  largely 
used  for  tanning-purposes.  There  are 
about  ten  sections  of  what  is  deiujininat- 
ed  swamp-lands  in  thccminty ;  but  these, 
with  a  little  improvement,  will  make  ex- 
cellent grass-lands.  Pine  is  found  along 
ther  lake-sliore,  where  the  .soil  is  sandy; 
but,  in  the  interior  of  the  county,  the 
soil  is  aday-hiam,  and  is  good. 

The  water-power  of  the  county  is  ex- 
cellent. There  are  seven  good  powers 
on  the  Manitowoc  liiver,  and  four  on 
Five  I'ivers,  all  partially  improve  1, 
there  being  invested  about  one  huudreil 
and  sixty  thousand  dollars;  but  all  of 
these  are  I'apahleof  a  much  further  im- 
provement. 

Floating  copper-ore  has  Ixien  foimd  in 
the  towns  of  Cato  and  Cooperstown, 

The  very  best  of  clay  for  l)iick  is  found 
all  along  the  lake-shore,  Thete  are  a 
largo  iifimber  of  brickyards  ;  and  large 
(|inuitities  of  brick  have  been  sliipped 
the  last  two  years.  Marble  ami  valuable 
stone  qimrries  are  also  foiinil  along  the 
Manitowoc  liiver,  and  extending  into 
otoer  portions  of  the  county;  but  the.se 
have  not  as  yet  been  developed  to  any 
great  extent. 

The  Manitowoc  lliver  passes  through 
the  centre  of  the  count.v,  ami  is  naviga- 
ble for  three  miles,  Tho  Two  Uivers 
forms  a  junction  at  the  village  of  the 

•  We  are  Indelitcd  to  N,  J.  Gilbert,  P. 
Scluillz,  and  U.  W.  liurnettof  Manitowoc,  for 
UiiBitkelcli.— U.  Jt.T. 


678 


BISTORT  OF  wiacosais. 


same  name.  Fiih  ntioiiiulH  in  both  of 
tliuAt'  sti'i'iuii.').  iiikI  ill  otiior  Hniullur  un«M 
to  n  iimsiileialiiti  isxluiit. 

Tim  luck  of  niiliiiiiil  facilitios  in  tlilx 
rojiliiu  liiiM  linietofiire  li<"«n  a  jireiit  (liaw- 
liftik;  liiit.  all  tliat  is  now  <liaii);t'(l.  Tlio 
rallioail  from  Manitowoc  to  Appiotoii  is 
coinpictdil.  It  comioctH  wllli  the  Wis- 
roiislii  Central  at  Munaslia,  thus  (jiviiiK 
direi't  rommiiiilcation  with  the  Northfirn 
I'ai'illr  liallroail.  Tli«  Ijike-Slioro  iloiicl 
from  Mihvauket)  is  also  comploteil;  ami 
now  no  part  of  the  Stuto  lias  hotter  rail- 
road coiiimiinications  than  this  rotinty. 

At;rlciiltiiio  is  the  priniipal  iiidustry 
of  the  county.  In  IH72,  there  were  raisell 
ahoiit  six  liiinilreil  thonsaiKi  1>iisliels  of 
wheat,  four  hundred  thousaiul  iinsheis 
of  oats,  one  hundred  thousand  iiusliels 
peas,  olio  liiindied  thousand  hushels  rye, 
and  live  liiiudred  thuuaaiid  buahels  po- 
tatoes, 

Tlio  (^ity  of  Manitowoc  is  a  lively, 
thrivinjj  filace;  and  ship  -  huildhiK  "is 
tliero  carried  on  to  a  considerahle  ex- 
tent. Four  lur);e  tanneries  are  liero  in 
full  operation,  with  a  capital  of  about 
ninety  thousand  dollars.  About  seven- 
ty thousand  liarrel.s  of  flour  wore  shipped 
from  tlie  city  tlio  past  year. 

At  Two  IJIvors  there  is  a  larKO  tub, 
pail,  and  chair  factory,  and  a  tannery, 
with  a  capital  of  thirty  thousand  dollars. 
There  are  also  nianufactured  about  lifty 
luillioii  feet  of  lumber  annually. 

With  the  excellent  water-powers  in 
the  eoiiiity,  and  the  ease  with  which  all 
kinds  of  harii  wood  can  be  obtained,  it 
Is  readily  seen  that  Manitowoi;  County 
offers  extraordinary  inducements  .for 
many  branches  of  nianufactnrinj;,  where 
hard  wood  enters  as  tlie  princiiial  ma- 
terial. Sliippinj;- facilities  to  tlie  inte- 
rior of  tlie  state  will  soon  be  excellent; 
and  we  see  no  reason  why  manufactur- 
ing shall  not  larjiely  ini:rease. 

M.viiATHox  Coi'NTV.l —  There  is  no 
donbt  whatever,  that  the  natural  re- 
sources of  Marathon  County,  in  soil, 
timber,  iron,  water-powers,  and  other 
a«lvautaKes,  as  well  of  climate  as  of  jjeo- 

graphical  position,  are  secuud  to  none 
1  the  State. 

The  extreme  lencth  of  this  couufy  is 
alioiit  one  hundred  and  twenty,  miles; 
and  its  width,  lifty-four  miles.  "Deduct- 
ing the  area  covered  by  small  lakes  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  county,  it  con- 
tains about  thi'ee  million  five  iiuudred 
thousand  aires  of  land,  of  wliicli  not 
over  a  linndred  thousand  acres  are  un- 
der cultivation. 

At  least  three-fourths  of  the  land  of 
this  county  are  tiinliered ;  the  hijjli  lands, 
or  ridges,  being  mostly  covered  by  lianl 
wood,  such  as  maplo,  oak,  ash,  eliii,  bass- 

I  For  our  sketch  of  Marathon  County,  wo  are 
Indebted  to  \V.  0.  Silvcrtliorn.  ,Jnhn  lUiigle, 
and  John  I'atzer  of  WauBuu.  —0.  B.  T, 


wood,  butternut,  &c..  while  that  o1nn|{ 
the  Mtreums  is  mostly  pine  and.hein- 
hick. 

The  principal  sources  of  Industry  are 
agriculturoand  liiinliering.  Overtlireo- 
fotu'ths  of  the  county  are  capable  of  be- 
ing cultivated.  The  soil  is  of  an  excellent 
cpiality,  and  (uddiices  all  kinds  of  grain 
and  vegetables  ciunmon  to  northern  cli- 
mates, Wheat  has  been  raised  over 
forty  bushels  to  jin  acre,  and  other  gi-alii 
in  nniportlon.  Winter  wheat  has  never 
faileil.  Although  our  farmers  have  thus 
far  had  only  a  liomo-inarket,  tlie.v  have 
as  yet  been  iinablo  to  sup|ily  the  de- 
maud,  and  havoalwa.vsrcall/.ed  a  better 
priio  for  their  products  than  farmers  In 
the  southern  portion  of  the  Htale, 

The  county  has  very  gooil  railroad- 
fwilities, 

I..uml)ering  is  carried  on  to  a  great  ex- 
tent; lumber  anil  shingles  being  the  chief 
exports.  Thousands  of  iiorsoiis  are  au- 
niiaiiy  employed  in  the  Wisconsin- liiver- 
piueries,  at  good  wages.  Over  a  liiiu- 
dred million  feet  of  lumber  are  annually 
shipped  from  this  county;  and  the  almost 
emlless  pine-foiests  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  county  will  furnish  material  for 
this  liranc"'.  of  industry  for  geueralioiw 
to  come. 

Tliore  are  now  in  operation  in  this 
coiint.y  tliirt.v  stationar.v  saw-mills,  tie- 
sides  a  number  of  portable  mills  f(u-  the 
niauiifactiireof  lumber;  also  three  tiour- 
ing-iiiilis,  six  sliingie-niills,  and  one  ex- 
tensive planing-mill, 

Tlio  \\  isconsin  liiver,  running thron"h 
the  centre  of  the  county,  with  its 
tributaries,  furnislies  numerous  water- 
powers,  comparatively  few  of  avIiIcIi 
have  iieen  improved.  But,  when  our 
railroad -communication  with  the  ro.st 
of  the  world  is  completed,  capitalists, 
no  doubt,  will  appreciate  the  iiiduce- 
nients  offered  by  JIarathon  County  for 
romnnerulive  investment,  Tlie  iiiide- 
velopoil  mineral  resiuirces  of  Marathon 
Count.v  a  0  very  extensive;  iron  being 
tlie  most  rtbuiulHnt,  whidi  has  lieen  dis- 
covered in  illo^<huust^)lo  quantities  in 
ditTerent  portions  of  tlio  count.v,  and  no 
diuibt  will,  in  tlie  future,  be  one  of  our 
principal  productions. 

Wood  has  heretofore  been  almost  the 
exclusive  building-material  in  use;  but 
it  lias  now  been  substantiated  that  they 
have  also  a  superior  ipiaiity  of  clay  for 
th  manufai'ture  of  liiick;  iuid  tliey  are 
now  being  used  for  building  to  a  consid- 
erable extent.  Three  brickyards  aro  al- 
ready in  operation  at  Wausaii. 

Last,  but  not  least,  aro  the  (.ronlierry- 
marshos,  which  liave  been  looked  up, 
and  purchased  from  tho  government 
recently.  Thousands  of  acres  of  as  line 
cranberry-land  as  can  be  found  in  tiio 
world  exist  near  the  centre  of  tlio  coun- 
ty, on  either  side  of  tho  Wisconsin  River. 
This  branch  of  industry,  which  is  at- 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


679 


tTRctliiR  "o  mw\\  Interest  In  other  ports  I 
cif  tliii  Stiitu,  bids  fitir  t(i  Ih)  a  HiiluniUd  I 
tiling  IllM'l:.  I 

Mauiji'Kttk    County.' -Tlie    whole  i 
cunntr.v  is()penhi|;.'*Hnil  tiinbor.  ThcHoil  ; 
Is  cllvi'r>.ill»(l  rlay  iiml  lonni,  wltli  run-  1 
siilt'nihlx  siinil,  iind  exton^ive  niarHhiis, 
furnlsliiii''  alxinilitncc!  uf  niitiinil  niun- 
ih)ws  iukI  piistiire.    The  I'ounty  In  well 
wnterod  with  Hprin({t,  siniill  creekH,  nnd 
liirne  iiiill-stroiiniH.     There  are  ten  lloiir- 
lnt;niillt,    four    wooUen-factiirles,   two  | 
Hiiw  mills,  mill  one  Iroii-foiinilery  in  the  | 
coMiity.     Vo\   lilver  runs   tluoiiuh   the 
I'liiuity    friiiii  east  to   west,     vlth    two 
thriving  villages  upon  its  hanks,  having 
four   wareliouses  tor  xraiii    anil   other 
8hi|ipini;-  purposes.     There     arc     nine 
villasiet  in  the  county,  all  of  them  well 
Hupplii'd  with  husinesH-houseH,  and  well 
patronized. 

Montello  Is  the  eoiinty-seat,  with  a 
lai'^e  and  eoiniiiiHlioim  oonrt  -  house, 
luiilt  of  stone  and  brick,  two  ehiiri'hes, 
store.s,  and  uiechanics'  shops,  two  flour- 
hiK-niills,  and  a  woollen-fai'tory.  Mon- 
tello is  situated  upoti  Kox  liiver,  where 
they  have  a  regular  line  of  Hteaniboats 
from  Berlin  down  the  river.  It  has 
more  \ater-power  than  any  other  town 
west  ot  Neenali,  aiul  only  about  one- 
fourth  in. proved  and  used.  A  foundery, 
tannery,  .sash  and  bliiul  factory,  and 
niaii.v  other  kinds  of  factories,  couM  do 
a  Kood  and  payiuK  business  here,  and 
are  much  wanted. 

The  Montello  Itiver,  a  lurRO  niill- 
Htreain,  empties  into  the  Fox  at  this 
place,  and  furnishes  power  for  oue-half 
mile  of  machinery,  which  is  not  one- 
fiuirth  part  improved.  The  inlinbitants 
are  made  up  of  one-third  Americans, 
one-lliird  t!eriiiaiis  and  one-third  Irish. 
A  larjje  majority  of  the  settlers  came  in 
poor,  ami  are  now  in  (jood  circuinstan- 
ees,  some  of  them  (jettiiiK  rich,  l^and  is 
worth  from  live  to  tlfteen  dollars  an 
acre;  and  tliere  can  yet  Ih)  found  Kood 
chances  for  several  huiulred  families  to 
nuike  good  homes,  with  very  little 
money.  Itailroad  facilities  are  excel- 
lent. Tl;c  climate  of  the  county  is 
good,  the  water  excellent,  and  the  peo- 
ple are' healthy  and  happy;  and  others 
who  come  aniongsi  us  to  live  will  he 
made  to  enio}'  all  the  blessmgs  we  listve 
enumerated. 

Mii.w.\iKEB  County. — This  county 
ciuitaiiis  about  a  hundred  and  lifty-two 
tliousaud  acres  of  land,  of  wliich  about 
nine  thousand  acres  lie  within  the  cor- 
porate limits  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee, 
r'our-llftlis  of  the  entire  amount  uf 
farming-lauds  are  under  improvement, 
and  together  with  the  unimproved  lands, 
which  are   mostly    timber,    and   often 

•  Wfl  lire  Indebted  to  Hon.  S.  A.  Pea«e  of 
llontollo  for  the  uutterUUs  for  tbiii  sketch.  — 

c.  a.  T. 


more  valuable  than  the  Improved,  have 
an  average  value  of  seveuty-llvo  dollarw 
per  aire. 

The  annual  report  of  the  (Jhambor  of 
Commerce  for  IS71  shows  the  assessed 
value  of  real  estate  in  the  city  of  Mil- 
waukee to  be  S:i.'),'.W,.'l!ll.  In  extent  of 
marine  commerce,  it  ranks  as  the  fourth 
city  in  the  United  States.  The  number 
of 'entries  at  the  ciistoiu-house  durins 
the  year  1H7.1  were  4,H7H,  with  a  totol 
tonnage  of  1,047,11!' tons,  and  of  dear- 
uncos,  4,M77,  representing  an  aggregate 
toiiiuige  of  1  !i:w,414  tons.  Tltn  receipts 
of  grain  for  the  voar  1H72  wern  I!i,'.ilL',:)i)4 
bushels,  of  which  i;i,(il7,!)ai»  bushels  were 
wheat. 

The  Mldpments  of  Hour  were  1,2.12,036 
barrels,  and  the  niuount  manufactured 
In  the  city  D»k),2()ti  barrels.  The  .ship- 
ments of  wheat  to  eastern  and  Canadian 
markets  during  the  year  anu>uuted  to 
11,.')2(),075  bushels. 

The  total  number  of  hogs  packed  in 
the  city  during  the  year  1M7:!  was  310,- 
ilKI.  The  total  receipts  of  foreign  mer- 
chandise, exclusive  of  railroad-iron,  pig- 
iron,  salt,  i)laster,  aiul  coal,  received  at 
Milwaukee  during  the  same  year,  were 
154,!Kai  tons.  Of  railroail-lron,  tliere 
were  received  H,44(i  tons;  ;i,'),(KX)  tons 
additional  were  manufactured  there, 
nmking  a  grand  total  of  4.l,44(i  tons: 
4!i,ii'.N)  tons  of  pig-iron  were  received 
during  the  same  year,  and  111,48!)  tons 
uf  iron  ore. 

Tints  will  Ik)  seen,  very  succinctly 
stated,  the  business  annually  transacted 
in  the  commercial  emiMuiiim  of  Wiscon- 
sin; and  it  is  annuall.y  increasing  with 
that  iinirvellous  rapiditv  Incident  to  the 
rapid  settlement  ot  tlie  Western  World. 

Milwaukee  contains  between  fifty  and 
sixty  churches,  belonging  to  various  de- 
nomiimtions;  lias  nine  large  and  elegant 
public  school-buildings,  where  the  chil- 
dren of  the  poor  and  the  rich  are  alike 
eiliK'ftted  free  of  expense.  Kor  salubrity 
of  clinmte,  it  is  iiiisuriiassed  in  liN'ation: 
ami  the  annual  death-rate  i>er  thousanil 
is  less  than  that  of  eitlieruf  its  neigh- 
bors, Chicago  or  St.  Louis. 

Situated  as  it  is,  with  its  great  facili- 
ties for  lake-commerce,  and  the  thoti- 
saiids  of  miles  of  railway.s  radiating 
throughout  the  great  North-west,  it  can- 
not fail  to  continue  to  be,  what  it  now 
is,  the  commercial  emporium  ot  AVis- 
cousin,  and  one  of  the  three  great  busi- 
ness centres  of  the  Korth  -  western 
United  States. 

Milwaiiken,  the  principal  commercial 
city  of  Wl.sconsin,  and  county-seat  of 
Milwaukee  County,  is  situated  on  the 
west  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  at  the 
mouth  of  Milwaukee  Itiver,  ninety 
miles  north  of  Chicago,  and  seventy- 
live  miles  east  of  Madison.  Lat.  43" 
3'  V,"  N. ;  long.  87°  57'  W.  The  river 
approaches  from  the  north,  lu  a  direc- 


680 


HISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


tlon  nearly  parallel  ^vlth  the  lake-aliore, 
anil  is  joined,  nliout  a  Iialf-niile  from  it"* 
month,  li.v  till!  Mdioniiinee  Iliver,  wlikli 
comes  fi-iini  llio  \v()<r.  Tlie  lurf;est  boats 
of  the  Inkos  ciin  asct-iul  tlio  river  two 
miles  from  its  niontii,  as  also  tlie  Me- 
nonionce  for  some  distance  from  itscon- 
flneme  with  the  Milwankee.  The  (lov- 
ernmeiit  has  expended  lar^e  smns  of 
money  for  the  improvement  of  tlie  liar- 
hnr,  ill  addition  to  tlie  appropriatinn  by 
the  citv  authorities;  so  that  the  city  lias 
one  of  the  best  harlxn's  on  I  lie  wliole 
chain  of  fakes.  The  eity  is  pleasantly 
situated  upon  each  side  of  tlie  river.  It 
contains  twenty  -  one  public  schools, 
Uniteil  States  court,  and  post-oflice,  ten 
banks,  forty-eif^ht  Protestant,  ten  Catho- 
lic, and  two  Jcwisli  churches,  twenty- 
four  academies  and  select  schools,  six 
teiiiiieranco  orjranizatious,  sixteen  Ma- 
sonic, twelve  Odd  Fellows,  twenty-five 
other  se.'iet  societies,  thirty  benevolent 
organizations,  tliree  orplian  -  asylums, 
and  two  hospitals.  The  Catholics  have 
a  larj^o  convent  called  "  Convent  Notre 
Dame."  Someeiuht  or  more  railroads 
centre  at  Milwaukee.  The  city  is  the 
outlet  anil  s!iippinj{-port  of  a  rich  and 
rapidly  iiuprovinj?  country.  It  is  tlie 
greatest  primary  wheat-market  in  tlie 
world.  The  receipts  of  flour  and  ^lain 
for  the  vear  endiiiK 'Inly  'il,  Wi,  were 
3!)(».")l,l)7'.t  bnsliels  of  wlieat  and  Hour, 
and  4,'J41,(H(l  of  coarse  grains.  Total,  of 
all  kinds,  4:1,-'!IlM1!I  in  bushels.  And 
tlie  exports  of  tlour,  '_',:!17,0!l;  of  wheat, 
2'2,'JJo,:«();  of  corn,  ,V.ii,5(i;!;  of  oats,  7'Jli,- 
035.  The  total  niiiiiber  of  hogs  packed 
in  lR7-i-75  was  L'4S,1!I7  head.  The  re- 
ceipts of  lumber  were  141,4iiO,()00.  There 
were  a  hundred  and  twenty-elKht  ves- 
sels registered  at  Milwaukee,  with  a 
tonnage  of  ai,3!Ki,24. 

Milwaukee  is  remarkable  for  its 
healthful  climate  and  for  the  rapidity  of 
its  growth.  It  lias  a  huge  number  of 
iiiannfactories  of  flour,  woollen  goods, 
rolling-mill.s,  which  are  too  numerous 
to  detail. 

Its  ]irospects  as  one  of  the  largest  and 
most  impoitant  of  our  Western  cities 
are  uneiiualled.  Population,  lS7r),  lliO,- 
773. 

MoNiioE  Cou.vTV.'-  The  general  sur- 
face of  the  county  's  rolling,  in  some 
parts  iiuite  rougli.  Sin-enil  dividing 
ridges  traverse  neavl.v  the  whole  length 
of  the  county  in  different  directions. 
Their  tops  usually  spie.id  out  into  level 
tablelands,  which  arc  I'lccpiciitly  many 
miles  in  area.  The  soil  in  the  northern 
jiai't  is  mostly  sandv,  some  clay  ridges, 
and  small  bl.ick  loam  luaiiies.  In  the 
iiortli-easteni  part  are  extensive  tracts 
of  white  and  Norway  pine-tuuber,  and 

>  Wo  nro  Inilobted  to  D.  S.  D.  HolliHter  ami 
rirorgu  Uunliiil  for  the  materialii  (or  tills 
•kelcU.  —  0.  U.  T. 


]  large  natural  hay  and  cranberry  mead- 
ows. The  southern  part  is  a  rich  da.v- 
loam,  ver.v  productive  and  duiable, 
being  choice  farming-lands,  well  suited 
to  grain  and  fruit  raising.  Here  is  pro- 
duced some  of  the  finest  white  winter 
wheat  in  the  West. 

The  count.v  contains  five  hundred  and 
seventy-five  thousand  acres,  about  mie- 
fourth  of  which  is  now  under  cultiva- 
tion; and  ftilly  three-fourths  of  the  re- 
mainder can  be  made  available  for  fariii- 
iug-purposes,  about  fifty  thousand  acres, 
which  they  are  selling  at  two  dollars 
anil  a  half  and  iipwarils  per  acre,  giving 
three  years'  time  on  a  part  of  tlio  pnr- 
chase-inoney. 

There  are  many  valuable  water-pow- 
ers, jirincipally  inipro\-ed  on  the  La 
Crosse  Iliver  at  Sparta,  Angelo,  Lafay- 
ette, anil  Leon;  on  the  Ix'iuonweir  Iliv- 
er, at  Tomah;  on  the  Kickaiioo,  at  Wil- 
ton and  in  the  town  of  Slieldon;  on  the 
fJarraboo,  at  Glendale.  On  the  smaller 
streams  are  several  choice  locations, 
which  are  .yet  unimproved. 

Xo  mines  are  yet  opened  here.  There 
are  indications  of  Iron,  lead,  copper,  and 
plumbago. 

The  principal  timber  in  the  southern 
half  of  the  county  is  white  and  red  oak, 
white-walnut,  hickory,  sugar-maple, 
ash.  and  linden;  in  tlie  nortliern  part, 
white  and  reil  oak,  white  and  Norway 
pine,  tamarack,  and  spruce. 

Ited  bricks  of  good  ipialitv  are  made 
in  various  jiarts  of  the  county  In  the 
southern  part,  some  beds  of  valuable 
fire-clay  have  been  found,  and  a  rock 
very  similar  to  the  French  luirr  mill- 
stones. 

lieing  located  on  the  head-waters  of 
the  La  Crosse,  Ixniionweir,  liarraboo, 
and  Kickapoo  Rivers,  with  no  lakes  or 
navigable  streams,  the  inhabitants  are 
dependent  on  tlio  railroads  to  cany  their 
products  toniarket.  The  Milwaukeeaud 
St.  I'aiil  and  Chicago  and  North-western 
traverse  the  county  from  east  to  west, 
while  the  north-western  part  is  crossed 
by  the  West  AV'isiiuisiii  and  Wi-icousin 
V'alhi.v  1'ailroails,  in  opposite  diiections, 
thus  bringing  all  parts  of  the  count.v 
within  easy  reach  of  this  means  of  coni- 
miinicatiiui.  Otlier  lilies  will  doubtles.s 
be  constructed  within  a  few  years,  en- 
larging these  facilities  to  a  still  greater 
degree. 

Some  deer  and  bear  are  still  found  in 
the  wooils;  and  the  game-birds  of  the 
State  are  ipiite  pleiitv.  The  streams 
abound  in  brook-trout,  jiickercl,  bass, 
fie.  Trout-raising  is  being  carried  on  to 
a  limiieil  extent;  anil  many  Imalities 
exist  where  the  business  could  be  siic- 
cossfullv  and  protltabl.v  prosecuted. 

The   staple  pioducis  are   winter  and 

spring  wheat,  oats,  corn,  barley,  rye,  and 

buckwheat.      All    the  grains  usual  to 

I  tills  latitude  du  well  here.    The  tamo 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


681 


praises  (jrow  finely.  Tlie  sliipinents  of 
wheat  and  flmu-  fmtii  tliis  ooniity  from 
the  iTop  of  1H7-'  will  lie  about  three  Imn- 
(Ired  thousand  l)u»he!s  of  wheat,  and 
HJxty  thousand  barrels  of  flour,  both 
averattinjf  a  very  superior  grade.  Im- 
proved farms  are  worth  from  fifteen  dol- 
lars to  seventy-five  dollars  per  acre,  ac- 
cording to  quality,  improvements,  and 
location. 

More  than  half  the  population  is 
American.  The  principal  forei^mers  are 
Germans,  settled  in  the  southern  towns; 
quite  a  Xorwejjian  settlement  in  the 
town  of  Portland.  Schools  are  abundant 
and  );ood.  A  tjradod  school  with  twelve 
teachers  at  Sparta,  and  another  with 
four  teachers  at  Tomah.  Churches  in 
various  jiarts  of  the  county.  In  the  vil- 
lages, the  different  denominations  are 
well  represented,  and  have  comfortable 
houses  of  worship.  Population  of  the 
county  is  now  about  twenty  tho\isaud. 
Sparta,  the  county-seat,  has' about  four 
thousand.  Substantial  county-buildings 
w<!re  erected  se\eral  .vears  a^o.  This 
village  has  a  paper-null,  woollen-fac- 
tory, foundery,  and  nuichine-sliop,  \vo 
fiourinji-mills,  sash,  blind,  and  door  fac- 
tory,and  other  nninufacf  uriu};  industries. 
Here  are  also  seviual  flowing  artesian 
wells,  the  majinelic  and  medicinal  prop- 
erties of  whose  waters  are  attractiuK 
the  attention  of  invalids  in  all  parts  of 
the  country.  Largo  number'  of  people, 
attracted  by  the  beauty  of  the  scener.v, 
the  purity  of  the  air,  and  the  general 
healilifulness  of  the  locality,  come  here 
to  spend  the  snni.ier,  and  thus  escape 
the  fervent  heat  of  mine  -(uithern 
climates.  The  Milwaukee  and  Si.  Paul, 
and  Chicago  and  Nortli-vvestevu  Kail- 
roads,  both  touch  at  this  place. 

Tomah  has  about  two  tfiousiind  inhab- 
itants, and  is  at  the  junction  of  the  Wis- 
consin Valley  with  the  Milwaukee  and 
St.  Paul  Itailroivl.  Alargo  tlciuriii_'-niill 
and  some  other  maiiufiuMuriug  institu- 
tions are  located  .here.  An  ariesiaii 
well  is  being  sunk  there,  with  over, 
prosiiect  of  a  successful  result.  Other 
smaller  but  very  thriving  villages  are 
spruiging  up  along  the  lines  of  the  vari- 
ous railroails. 

Monroe  Cuunty,  Nvith  its  cliuuilc  free 
from  all  malaria,  and  of  unsurp.issed 
healthfulness,  with  its  thousands  of 
acres  of  land  awaiting  the  hand  of  in- 
dustry to  render  it  productive,  with  its 
millions  of  pine  and  hard-woml  limi.er 
>et  to  be  manufacturcil,  with  its  miu(n;il 
resources  entirely  undeveloiwd,  oilers 
e.xcelleiit  induceinenis  for  jieoplo  to 
settle  within  its  borders. 

OcovTO  CoL'.VTV.  —  0<'onfo  County 
comprises  that  portion  of  North-eastern 
■\Visionsiu  most  valuable  for  its  timber 
and  farming  lamls,  its  immense  and 
umivalled  water-power,  its  mineral  de- 
posits and  lisheries. 


It  is  1)onnded  on  the  east  by  the  wa- 
ters of  Green  Hay  and  the  Menomonee 
River,  —  the  first  navigable  for  sail-ves- 
sels and  steamers  of  the  largest  size,  hav- 
ing a  shore  of  about  forty-five  ndles  in 
Oconto  County,  and  receiving  in  and 
from  the  same  county  three  large  river.s 
and  several  smaller  rivers  and  streams. 
Oconto  County  emlnaies  an  area  of 
over  five  thousand  square  miles.  It  is 
estimated  that,  of  the  unsettled  portion 
of  the  county,  about  one-third  of  the  area 
is  covered  with  pine  and  hemlock,  one- 
third  with  sugar-maple  and  other  hard 
woods,  and  the  remainder  with  cedar, 
ash,  elm,  tamarack,  and  Rueh  limber 
as  is  usually  fomul  on  alluvial  soils. 
Almost  the  whole  surface  of  the  county 
is  traver.sed  and  drained  by  numerous 
streams.  The  smith-eastern  portion  of 
the  county  is  rolling,  and,  near  the  shore 
of  Green  Bay,  level;  the  north-western 
portion  more  broken  and  rock.v. 

About  twenty  years  ago  the  count,v 
was  almost  an  unbroken  wllclerness,  a 
single  saw-mill  on  each  stream,  no  road 
traversing  the  county,  and  no  farmers. 
Now  the  countv  is  traversed  by  three 
priiK'ipal  roads  from  south  to  north,  and 
numerous  roads  inter<ecting  the  towns 
in  ever.v  direction,  and  making  accessi- 
ble the  pine  and  farming  lands  of  th'> 
county.  The  single  saw-mills  have 
grown  to  a  family  of  giants,  fashioning 
into  boards  and  timber  the  huge  pines 
as  fast  as  three  thousand  men  and  a 
thousand  teams  can  bring  them,  and  a 
hundreil  ships  carry  the  lumber  awa.v. 

The  population  of  the  county  is  S,'A22, 
a  majority  of  whom  are  foreigners.  The 
largest  portion  of  the  count.v  is  still 
owned  by  government,  as  the  invest- 
ment of  capital  has  been  almost  wholly 
conlined  to  piiie-lands.  The  govern- 
ment sells  its  land  at  fnun  seventy-five 
cents  to  a  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents 
per  acre.  The  actual  settler  has  the 
right  of  pre-emption  to  a  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  for  one  year  before  he  is 
obliged  to  pay  for  his  land.  But  to  the 
Flomestead  A<t  this  region  owes  much  of 
its  late  rapid  gnjwtli  and  prosperity. 
Lands  in  and  about  the  setllenients  are 
for  sale  at  from  two  to  five  dollara  per 
acre.  Tlie  dimato  is  hcallhy;  and  the 
winter  has  advantages  which  fully  coin- 
])ensate  for  its  lengtli. 

The  northern  portion  of  the  county  is 
rich  in  mineral  deposits,  which  are  des- 
tined to  become  a  most  important  ele- 
ment of  prosperity.  A  very  considera- 
ble !)r;'.nch  of  industry  must,  .soon  grow 
up  by  the  estnblishnient  of  blast-fur- 
naces. The  rivers  and  streams  travers- 
ing the  county  are  used,  at  pre.sent, 
luainly  ashighvavs,  over  which  float  the 
logs  and  timber  for  the  different  mills. 
They  ulTord,  also,  unlimited  water- 
power,  the  value  of  which  is  just  bogin- 
uitig  to  bo  appreciated.    Ifur  the  luouu- 


682 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


fai^turo  oC  nliiiost  every  aiticla  in  wood, 
for  saw-iiiilU,  i^rist-iiiills,  tuniieries,  ami 
fa(^tiiries,  we  liave.  almost  at  our  doors, 
an  aliundaiue  of  ilieap  nuitive-power. 

As  a  firaiii-Ltniwinjii'iiimty,  its  repiita- 
tioii  is  estalillsliocl.  A  more  certain  liar- 
vest,  a,i;oiMl  ami  even  yield,  pliiiiip  ber- 
ries, witji  more  anil  better  Hour,  are  had 
liero  than  in  more  southern  latitudes. 
The  (jrass-crop  is  one  of  the  most  prolit- 
able.  Worth  from  eighteen  to  twenty- 
live  dollars  per  ton,  at  present,  hay 
must,  in  the  future,  conimaud  nearly  or 
<iuile  as  jjood  a  priie  as  now.  It  is  esti- 
mated, that  over  one  thousand  tons  are 
annually  imported  iutcj  this  county.  A 
larsju  portion  of  the  present  snppl.v  is 
taken  from  the  natural  meadows,  ami, 
of  course,  is  of  an  inferior  ijuality.  A 
much  smaller  cpiantit.v  of  the  wild 
grasses  would  bo  used,  and  no  hay 
wouhl  be  imported,  if  the  home-supply 
was  sniiicient. 

OuTA(i.\MiE  CouXTV. — Agriculture  is 
the  prominent  interest  in  this  contify, 
for  whi(  h  the  ccmlijiuration  of  its  sur- 
faee,  the  fertility  of  its  soil,  and  its 
accessibility  to  market,  are  especially 
adapted;  yet  it  lias  eipud  facilities  for 
manufactures,  which  will  be  fully  de- 
veloped at  no  distant  da.v.  The  water- 
power  furnished  by  the  Lower  Kox, 
which  passes  throutch  its  south-eastern 
corner,  and  by  the  Wolf  Uiver  and  its 
many  tributaries,  is  iniexcelled,  either 
111  extent  or  availability.  It  has,  also,  an 
abund.ini'e  of  material  for  mauufactur- 
iuK  purposes  in  the  heavy  timber  with 
which  a  lar^e  portion  of  the  county  is 
covered. 

The  county  has  an  area  of  sixteen 
townships,  of  which  T.").'*,'!.!  acres  are  im- 
proved. The  soil  is  principally  a  black 
loam,  with  a  subsoil  of  stilT  cla.v.  'rtiere 
is  considerable  low,  or  swamp  land  in 
the  county;  but  a  latfjo  portion  of  it  is 
susceptible  of  draiuaf,'(V  ami  will  eventu- 
ally become  tlu^  most  fertile  and  pro- 
ductive land  of  tlie  State.  Wheat  is 
larHel.v  cultivated.  The  census  returns 
of  \>""  pive  a  total  of  jr^t.lST  bushels. 
Next  in  importaui'e  are  oats  and  <'orn: 
of  oats,  L'lm.lwM)  bushels  were  raised;  of 
corn,  ai,;!!)!  bushi'ls;  potatoes,  lili,7-.') 
bushels;  wool.  ;t4,7'.i!t pounds  were  Kiown ; 
butter,  '2>^'l.'i\i  pounds  were  made.  The 
Riim  total  of  our  ai;ricultural  |)roduc- 
tions  foot  11])  .^1.7HH.'_''J-I.  The  poptda- 
tion  of  the  <-(Uinty  is  tiiven  as  l.S,4il(l. 

Appleton  is  tiie  leaduif;  city  of  the 
couiitv,  anil  is  the  seat  of  a  lar^e  mauii- 
fiu'turini;  buslm^ss.  It  has  a  po])ulalion 
of  about  six  thousaml. 

The  Fox  Kivcr,  in  its  iireseut  coudi- 
tioii,  furnishes  a  (jood  outlet  for  the  pro- 
ductions of  a  lar^'e  porticui  of  the  coui.ty, 
and  also  the  most  extensive  water-power 
ill  the  Statct.  The  whole  Jx)wer  l'"o\- 
Itivcr  Valley,  in  which  Appleton  is 
located,  presents,  oil  every  hand,  iiu- 


rivalled  facilities  for  luanufactiirinr;,  of 
nearly  all  kinds.  "Althou^'h  there  are 
other  cities."  sa.vs  Mr.  A.  ,1.  Heed,  "sit- 
uated ill  this  valley,  which  pi>ssess,  in 
some  dcjirje,  preat  natural  adviuitajios 
like  otirselves,  still  there  are  none  whose 
present  prosperity  is  more  rapid,  or 
whose  ])rospei:tive  development  is  as 
promising;  as  that  of  Appleton.  It  pos- 
sesses all  of  the  natural  characteristics 
necessarv  for  a  manuf.acturin};  cit.v  of 
preatdistiuciimi;  and  while  it  is  no  part 
of  the  object  of  tins  work  to  detract  from 
the  merits  of  nei^'liboriu;;  cities,  which 
share  in  common  with  us,  to  a  ^reat  ex- 
tent, the  rich  heritage  l)y  whii  h  Nature 
has  distinguished  this  localit.v,  it  is 
nevertheless  true,  that  it  nmiutains  a 
position  of  marked  superiority  over  its 
rivals,  b.v  reason  of  both  its  natural 
cliarai:teristics  and  the  improvements 
wlii<di  have  already  lieen  made.  Tliese 
considerations  are  of  primarv  and  ureat 
importance  to  the  business-imui  who  is 
.seekiu};  protitable  investment  for  his 
I'apital.  While  other  lulvantajjes,  cal- 
cnliited  to  minister  to  his  lusthctic  tastes, 
enter  into,  and  oftentimes  determine,  his 
decision,  it  is  the  material  features  of  a 
place  which  receive  his  most  favorable 
attention;  but  the  <'ity  in  which  both 
are  coudiined  is  that  to  which  his  pref- 
erence is  invariably  tliven.  That  Apple- 
ton  is  a  representative  of  this  favored 
class  is  a  question  on  which  there  is  no 
dispute  amon^'  those  wliu  are  familiar 
with  its  attractions. 

"rtomo  of  the  salient  features  of  the 
water-power  on  the  Ivower  Fox  liiver 
have  been  partially  set  fcn'th  in  the  pre- 
vious pa:.;es;  but  a  more  elaborate  de- 
scription of  the  power  at  Appleton  will 
be  proper  in  this  connection.  Its  siipe- 
riorit.v  appears  when  a  I'muparisou  of 
its  features  is  made  with  the  other  jiriii- 
cipal  powers  of  the  country.  Its  supply 
is  not  drii.wn  fnuu  mountain-torrents, 
like  the  Mill  Uiver  of  Massachusetts,  the 
Hudson,  and  Merrinuick,  and  other  prin- 
cipal'rivers  of  the  country,  but  from 
smaller  stri'ams,  ramifvini^  a  vast  ex- 
panse of  undulatin},' ciuintry  :  thus  ren- 
ilerinj;  i  uniforndty  of  liowape,  instead 
of  excessive  or  limiteii  discharges.  Ill 
addition  to  this,  as  if  to  combine  in  this 
.series  of  water-powers  the  advuiitattes 
oi  all  others.  Nature  has  provided  im- 
lueuse  reservoirs,  sutHcicut  in  capacity 
to  contain  the  accumulation  of  the  upper 
streams,  tributary  thereto  fiu'  months 
together;  and  the  uuiforiidtv  of  HowaKO 
is  thereby  more  striitly  preserve;L  Ho 
.loscly  i-elated  is  the"  maximum  and 
minimum  (luantity  discharged,  that  the 
dilTiuiuice  is  never  greater  than  three 
feet,  and  Is  .scarcely  ever  more  than 
thirty  iiuhos.  The  practical  maiiufac- 
♦nrer  will  draw  his  own  conclusions  as 
to  the  ailvantaces  of  this  arranijement, 
so  udniirably  dosijjuetl  by  Nature.    His 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


683 


first  Impression  will  lie,  liiat  up  to  n  cer- 
tain pi)int,  wlilcli  can  tie  ascertained,  the 
capacity  of  the  pcjwer  can  bo  utilized, 
and,  with  absolute  certainty,  that  the 
force  cali'ulaied  upon  will  lie  unfailint; 
throuubciut  the  entire  year.  The  niann- 
factnn.'r  who  is  located  on  a  llnctuatinK 
stream,  au<l  who  is  compelled  to  sus- 
pend operiUioiis  a  consideralile  portion 
(it  every  year,  will  uppreciate  (bis  ad- 
vantage. Then,  too,  there  are  other  con- 
siderations tliat  will  scariely  escape  his 
notice.  Owin;;  to  this  gradual  tlow  of 
water,  there  is  ubsolntoly  no  dan>;er 
whatever,  from  fresliets,  to  mills,  fac- 
tories, and  wareliouses  at  this  point. 
Kaw  materials,  manufactured  sto(di,  ami 
the  fouudatliins  of  buildin^;s  which  are 
tliirty-six  inches  above  low- water  mark, 
are  never  reached  nor  interfered  with 
by  the  swellin;;  currents  of  the  river. 
Tlie  same  causes  also  operate  to  render 
dams  of  ordinary  stability,  and  struc- 
tures of  every  l<intl,  built  to  resist  the 
natural  flow  of  the  water,  entirely  safe 
attaint  the  increased  pressure  created  by 
swollen  streams.  Too  mucli  cannot  be 
said  concerning;  tlie  advanta;,'e  of  this 
natural  security.  When  we  oomo  to 
consider  the  terrible  disasters  to  life  and 
property  whicli  fre(iuenlly  occur  upon 
other  streams,  it  is  more  full.v  appre- 
ciated. The  Mill-river  calamity,  of  re- 
cent date,  wliich  spread  such  appalling 
devastation  alons;  mui  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful and  industrious  valleys  of  New 
Enijlaiid,  and  by  which  nearly  two  hun- 
dred lives  were  destroyed,  ami  the  ac- 
ciimidated  property  of  a  century  swept 
away,  is  at  least  suliicieut  to  turn  the 
attention  of  the  practical  mind  to 
another  loi'ality.  which  possesses  every 
natural  advantasie  in  a  superior  (le;;ree, 
separated  from  llie  dangers  which  usual- 
ly attend  rapidly-tlowiuf;  streams.  It 
may  also  be  riuTiarked,  that  tlio  ri;;or  of 
tliis  northern  climate  iloes  not  embarrass 
tlie  driviuf,' of  machimny  in  this  valley, 
which  is  ail  a(lvauiaf;e  possesseil  by  few 
localities  claiming,'  the  distinction  which 
wc  enjoy,  lilock-ice  is  iievercreated  on 
our  rapids  to  cloj;  the  revolution  of  nia- 
chiuery;  nor  is  it  ever  carried  down  by 
the  surf,'lnK  stream  iu  iiiiantitles  lar},'e 
eiiiui;;h  to  endau^'cr  projicrty,  or  jnit  a 
stop  upon  our  industrial  <  peratious.  It 
is  by  no  means  an  extravagant  statemont 
to  liiake,  that,  all  ihln;,'S  C(Uisidercd,  Ap- 
pletou  preseiitsaw  atcr-power  uiirivalled 
liy  any  oilier  (Ui  the  continent,  or  even 
iu  the  world.  It  is  true  that  its  advan- 
taijcs  may  not  be  yeue rally  known  ammi^ 
tli(' prominent  moneyed  men  of  the  coun- 
try: but  a  few,  however,  have  become 
familiar  with  Its  merits,  ami  to  whose 
opinions  we  shall  allow  expressuui  in 
this  coiinectloiL  ilmi,  William  H.  Oj;- 
doii  of  ('hicaj;o.  one  of  the  most  deserv- 
edly successful  bnsinusa  -  iu«u  iu  the 
whole  country,  says,  — 


" '  There  is  more  valne  in  dollars  and 
cents  in  the  water-power  at  Appleton, 
than  an.v  other  I  have  ever  known.' 

"Ajjain;  Mr.  (iustavus  Ames,  one  o( 
the  most  successful  inventors  of  this 
decade,  and  prominent  manufaeturer  uf 
Uochester,  N.Y.,  sa.vs, — 

'■ '  1  would  not  clianj;e  the  power  in 
your  city  for  any  like  quantity  in  any 
otlu^r  place,  because  of  its  ininiense 
body ;  ami,  for  purposes  where ;;»™  v-ater 
is  reiinlreil,  no  plai:e  can  compare  to  the 
power  in  Appleton.' 

"  Mr.  Ames  is  an  extensive  manufac- 
turer of  paper;  and,  of  conr.se,  he  at- 
taches proper  emphasis  to  a  point  which 
he  regards  as  lielnj;  very  important.  And 
it  is  nmleniably  true,' that  Appleton  is 
unrivalled  by  any  other  place  in  the 
country  as  a  location  for  industries  of 
this  class. 

"Hon.  Hiram  Barney  of  New  York 
e.xpresses  his  opinion  In  these  words,  — 
'  It  would  be  unjust  to  bespeak  for 
Appleton  a  future  like  Manchester, 
lA^eds,  or  Itlrmln^ham,  or  like  I/iwell, 
I'atersoii,  or  Uochester;  for  its  natural 
■advantages  are  greater  than  are  pos- 
sessed by  all  of  tliose  cities  combined. 
Capital  only  is  wantiiiK  to  realize  all 
that  imafjination  can  picture  of  prosper- 
ity to  this  valley,  of  whicli  tills  beauti- 
ful city  is  the  centre;  anil  this  want  will 
be  of  short  duration.  When  the  advan- 
tages of  its  water-power  shall  reveal  the 
prolits  which  capital  invested  will  earn 
for  its  owners,  money,  in  millions,  will 
naturally  seek  at  that  point  its  safety 
and  Its  increase.' 

'•These  are  tlie  deliberate  expressions 
of  men  wlio  represent  the  business-en- 
terprise of  three  ureat  cities  of  the  con- 
tinent, and  who  are  competent  to  jiulKe 
fully  of  the  matjniticeut  advant.nes 
which  the  Apjileton  water-power  po.s- 
sesses.  Soime  of  them,  with  otliers 
eipuilly  prominent,  have  practiinlly  il- 
lustrateil  their  faith  in  its  value  by  in- 
vesting capital,  at  this  point,  in  the  Fox- 
river  Valley;  and  the  fact  that  these 
wonls  have  lieen  uttered  after  the  re- 
sults of  tlieir  in  vestmiMits  became  known, 
gives  to  them  additional  force."  ' 

Api>U'lon,  the  county-seat  of  Oiitaga- 
I  mie  County,  is  located  on  the  banks  of 
the  LowerFox  liivi^r,  on  the  line  of  the 
Chicago  and  Xorth-western  Itailroad, 
two  hundred  and  tlilrteen  miles  fnun 
Chicago,  and  eiglity  miles  from  (ireen 
Day.  It  has  a  railroad  cmiiiectlon  with 
allthe  Important  points  iu  the  .Stale, 
and  a  water-communication  with  the 
Mississippi  and  the  lake.  The  water- 
power  ot  the  Lower  Ko.x  is  immense: 
this  power  between  Winnebago  Lake 
and  tireen  Hay,  with  a  run  of  a  hundred 

'  FroMi  n  iiuin|>lik't  on  tlio  Ailviuitages  of 
the  Lower  Fox-Uiver  Vidloy,  eiUtud  by  Mr. 
A.  J.  Uued  of  Ajiplutou.  —  C.  II.  T. 


684 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


and  forty  thousand  mh\n  feet  per  n;iu- 
iite,  is  e((iiiil  to  l.'C.MlHi  liorso-power. 
Ap|)letori  IS  uiiexcelleil  liv  lUiy  Dtliert'ily 
in  resiiu  't  to  iier  iiiaiiiifai'tiiniif;  fiu-ili- 
ties.  riio  water-jiower  lias  lieen  (jreafly 
improved  in  the  lino  of  fmiiitiire,  staves, 
sash,  doors,  ami  blinds,  spokes  and  hubs, 
foiiiideries  and  niaclinie-shops,  ])aper, 
woollen,  flour,  and  varnish  mills,  aiul 
the  Appletoii  Iron  Works.  The  Applc- 
tt)n  Hlast-Fiirniu'o  cost  a  Imndiod  thou- 
sand dollars  There  are  twenty-four 
separate  manufactiirinK  establishments 
on  the  Vox  lliver  at  this  place;  and  the 
products  of  Appletoii  iudiistrie-*  are  re- 
pcu'ted  at  iSJ.:ll.'5,000.  The  Lawrence 
University  was  founded  in  1848,  and 
named  atler  Amos  A.  Lawrence  of  Bos- 
ton, who  was  a  liberal  beiief,ictor  to  it. 
In  18o;i-,"4  a  larj^e  stone  ImlhlinK  was 
erected,  si.xty  by  a  Inindrcd  and  forty 
feet,  four  stories  hinli,  and  located  in  an 
eligible  situation.  It  is  well-sustained, 
and  is  under  the  auspi<>es  and  care  of 
the  Methodist  Kpisio|ial  CJhuich.  Rev. 
Gecn'Ko  M.  .Steele,  L>.1).,  is  the  president. 

The  city  has  two  Hrst-dass  hotels,  a 
national  bank-building,  four  newspaper 
otlices,  some  tine  blocks  of  stores,  and  a 
larjie  nuuibor  for  ine<;haiiical  trades. 

No  city  in  the  State  has  better  prom- 
ises of  beini;  a  larye  and  very  important 
place  of  business.  Its  water-power  and 
ailvantajjes  of  manufacturing  afford 
the  greatest  inducement  to  capitalists  to 
make  iiermanent  investments. 

I'opulation,  187o,  (!,7;K). 

OzAiMu;!!  County.'  —  The  county  of 
Ozaukee  contains  seven  townships,  with 
Homo  over  lifteen  thousand  inhaViitants, 
of  which  number  nearly  three-fourths 
are  of  forei.i,'n  birth,  and  most  of  them 
Germans.  The  fieiieial  topofjiapliy  of 
the  county  is  of  an  even  surface,  though 
in  portions  somewhat  rolling,  and  a 
small  part  swampy. 

The  soil  consists  of  red  cla.y,  which 
proves  to  lie  the  best  for  the  jnirpose  of 
raisiiif;  wheat ;  but  also  is  the  gray  clay, 
and  the  black  sanilv  soil  too,  as  found 
in  some  portions  of  the  county,  of  a 
fjood  and  fertile  quality.  The  county 
contains  about  a  hundred  and  eighty 
thonsan<l  acres  of  land,  of  which  more 
than  half  is  umler  cultivation;  and  more 
tlian  seven-(!if;liths  of  it  is  owned  by 
actual  settlers.  The  stoiio-cinarries  con- 
sist of  white-sandstone.  an<l  also  lime- 
stone; and  several  of  tliein  are  in  suc- 
cessful operation.  The  Milwaukee  and 
Northern  liailroad  runs  from  south  to 
north  through  the  county,  fu  :iishiuH; 
excellent  facilities  for  successfully 
operatiiit;,  not  only  some  of  such  stone- 
quarries,  but  also  mills  and  nianufacto- 
ries  which  are  established  on  many  of 

'  Wfl  nro  Indebted  to  Ouiitnv  Gootzo  of  Port 
Wa,>liliiKlnii  tor  this  ekotcU  o(  Ozaukeo  Coun- 
ty.—C.  it  X. 


our  ffood  water-powers  on  the  Milwau- 
kee Kiver,  Howiii^  from  north  to  south 
throufjli  the  whole  (■ounty.  and  on  Cedar 
Creek|  emptyiuK  into  said  river;  and 
there  is  no  doubt  that  still  more  water- 
powers  will  hereafter  be  improved.  Tlie 
Lake  Shore  Uailroad  passes  also  from 
iicM'th  to  south  through  the  county,  and 
will,  when  comjileted,  a<ld  a  flood  deal 
more  to  those  fa<.'ilities.  The  principal 
timber  is  white  and  red  oak,  maple, 
tamarack,  and  cedar.  Agriculture  is  the 
main  source  of  industry;  but  there  is 
also  a  Kieat  deal  of  commerce,  trade, 
and  inanufacturiii);  done. 

I'ort  Washington,  the  county-seat,  has 
a  beautiful  location  on  LakeMichiKan, 
about  half-way  between  Mihvaukee 
and  Slieboyjjan ;  and,  besides  the  court- 
house and  eountv-ortlces,  has  a  HouriiiK- 
mill,  two  founderie.s,  several  mechanics' 
shops,  two  brick-yards,  two  lumber- 
yards, and  one  tir.st-rate  stcnie-ciuarr.v; 
also  a  malt-house  and  two  breweries. 
It  is  a  lively  place;  and  a  pieat  deal  of 
trade  and  commerce  is  carried  on  there, 
the  more  so,  as,  besides  a  good  pier,  the 
Washiuijton  harbor  has  now  been  so  far 
completed  as  to  allow  any  ordinary  s'zo 
of  vessels  to  run  in. 

I'ei'I.v  Cou.ntv.  '  —  I'epin  lies  in  the 
nortli-western  part  of  the  State;  its 
western  border  bcii'i.'  on  the  Mississippi 
Uiver,  at  Lake  Tepin.  The  surface  is 
somewhat  rolliiifj.  The  soil  is  mostly  of 
a  sandy  loam,  thoufih.  in  some  sections, 
mixed  with  clay.  County  contains  in 
the  vicinity  of  twenty-five  thousand 
acres  of  laud,  aliont  one-thiril  under 
cultivation;  of  the  balance,  nearly  all  is 
capable  of  cultivation.  Actual  settlers 
are  in  possession  of  nearly  twelve  Ihou- 
sanil  acres,  worth  from  three  to  live  dol 
hirs  an  aiue.  (tood  water-privile;;es  are 
to  bo  found  in  every  town  in  the  county. 
The  forests  are  heavily  timbered  with 
allkindsof  haril  wood.  The  (Iliippewa, 
Kau  Claire,  and  Mcnomonee  Itiveisliav- 
erse  the  couiitv,  and  are,  to  some  extent, 
iiaviKable.  Tlie  larger  kinds  of  lisli  aro 
found  in  the  Chippewa;  and  abuiidanco 
of  trout  in  the  saialler  streams.  Agri- 
culture is  the  priuci,)al  source  of  indus- 
try. 

In  1870  the  c<mnt.v  contained  six  post- 
otHces,  tweuty-si.x  scliool-liouses,  foui 
church-buildinjis,  four  tlourin;;-mills, 
six  saw-mills;  a  woollen-f:iclory,  two 
foniulery  and  inachiue  shops,  and  two 
oilier  manufacturing  -  e-ilablislimeuts. 
I'opul.itiou  of  county,  4.(i.'ill,  There  aro 
two  thriving;  villai.'es,  —  IHirand,  with  a 
populatiim  of  over  nine  hiindreil.  and 
repiii,  with  about  seven  hundred  inhab- 
itants. 

Its  aftricultiiral  productlcms  arc  of  the' 
usual  variety,  and  excellent  in  ciiiality. 

'Tills  Kketoh  WM  coiilriliiilcil  by  L.  D. 
Dokor  and  ti.  1'.  Crusby.  —  C.  K.  X. 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


685 


Accord  ing  to  tl:o  ceniius  of  1P.70,  the 
amoiMit  of  wheat  raised  \vuh!)7,!K)j  hiisli- 
els;  rye,  4,774  liiishels;  (/urn,  ]()!l,4Hu 
l)iislicls;  oats,  811.118  1)Usliols;  harley, 
7,40il  bushels ;  wool,  7,!I5()  pounds;  pota- 
toes, 2il,!l17  Imshels:  Imtter,  127,5:1,") 
pounils.  The  total  value  of  its  agricul- 
tural proilnci  ions  is  ostinialeil  at  S-T^i,- 
3j4. 

I'IKUCE  Cot'NTV.i  — Pierce  is  the  most 
■western  I'ounty  in  the  State,  lying  prin- 
cipally in  the  southern  portion  of  the 
St.  Croix  Valley.  It  is  hounded  on  tlie 
north  by  St.  Croi.x  County,  east  by 
Dunn,  south  by  Dunn,  Lake  I'epin,  anil 
the  Mississippi  Itivcr,  and  west  by  the 
Mississippi  anil  Lake  St.  Croix.  '  Tlie 
ceneral  surface  of  the  conntv  is  iindii- 
lating,  though  somewhat  bluffy  along 
some  of  the  streams.  On  prairies,  the 
soil  Is  of  a  Handy  loam;  on  timbered 
lands,  it  is  generally  of  a  clay-loam. 
County  contains  three  hundred  ami  six- 
ty-seven thousand  aires  of  land.  The 
estimated  number  of  acres  of  land  in 
county  owned  by  actual  settlers  is  about 
two  hundred  thonsand  acre.s. 

The  county  is  wt^ll  watered,  and  di- 
vided by  seven  rajiid  flowing  livers, 
running  the  whole  length  of  thocount.v. 
All  of  the  rivers  have  good  mill-sites  at 
short  intervals  their  whole  length. 
There  also  are  numerous  creeks  and 
small  streams,  whiih  discharge  into  the 
rivers,  some  of  which  have  sufticient 
fall  for  mill-sites.  The  varieties  of  tim- 
ber are  oak,  ash,  maple,  bas9woo<l|  and 
clui. 

"  Xo  railroails  are  constructed  within 
our  county.  On  our  western  and  soutli- 
ern  boundary  are  the  St.  Croix  Lake, 
and  Mississippi  Klver,  and  Lake  I'epin, 
which  give  us  a  water-front  of  lifty- 
seveii  miles,  thus  giving  us  fair  facilities 


U  D. 


for  shipping  all  our  surplus  jiroducts, 
IjetXiX  has  been  found  in  lindted  quanti- 
ties." 

Ellsworth  is  the  county-scat,  and  is 
surrounded  by  a  rirh  agricultural  ilis- 
trict.  A  new  brick  court-house  has 
been  erected  at  an  expense  of  twenty 
thousainl  dollars.  The  fourth  Slate  .N'or- 
m,il  School  has  bccii  hxateil  at  liiver 
Kails,  which  is  a  very  thriving  village. 
Then'  are  about  ninety  .sibool-hou.ses 
and  liftecn  churches  in  the  county. 

Through  the  cITorls  of  the  school  su- 
perintendent for  the  last  four  years  eon- 
siderabli'  intercut  lun  been  created  in 
eilu'-iiioual  matters,  and  the  altendanee 
at  school  is  (^irctty  fair  for  a  new  coun- 
try. Some  ot  the  school-houses  are  nice 
frauic  buildings,  whilst  others  iire  of  log. 
As  to  nationality,  the  majority  are 
Americans;  but  the  Norwejiians  are  nu- 
merous, ami  fast  settling  ui,  and  will, 

'  Wo  nro  Indobtoil  to  H.  B.  Wnmer  and  C. 
W.  Ilmwu  of  KlIwwcMlh,  and  Z.  \V.  Liunfert 
of  Spiliijj  Lake,  for  ihia  Bkulcli.  — C.  U.  T. 


in  a  few  years,  outnumber  all  other  na- 
tionalities. 

PoLit  CotTNTT  —The  county  of  Polk 
was  one  of  the  carliest-settleil  portions 
of  the  State.  At  first  the  iidmbitants 
were  either  luntbermen,  or  hunters  and 
trappers.  The  latter  class  has  nearly 
disappeared.  .AVhilo  the  former  lost  their 
all  in  lumbering,  turning  their  attenti(ui 
to  f.irming,  many  of  them  are  now  in 
a  prosperous  condition.  At  the  present 
time,  the  business  of  the  citizens  of  the 
count.y  is  nearly  oipially  divi<led  be- 
tween agricultural,  and  logging  in  the 
pineries.  The  farmers  cannot  raise 
enough  to  supply  the  hoiiie-deinand: 
consequently  the  loggers  are  compelled 
to  bring  large  quantities  of  grain  and 
stock  from  "below." 

The  county  has  an  abundance  of 
water-powers,  from  a  size  tliat  can  he 
measured  by  a  churning,  to  the  celei)rat- 
ed  Falls  of  the  St.  Croix,  which  could 
be  described  only  as  a  "Niagara  of  a 
power."  In  a  distance  of  live  miles, 
extending  up  the  river  from  tlio  village 
of  St.  Croix  Falls,  the  waters  of  that 
stream  make  a  total  descent  of  eighty- 
tive  feet.  It  has  banks  for  dam-build- 
ing; and  the  river  is  not  subject  to 
freshets. 

The   winter   grains  do  uncommonly 

well;    and    liinotliy    and    clover    yiehl 

largely.     The  early  fall  of  snow  protects 

the  roots  of  the  grain  anil  grass  from 

I  freezing  out.    Cattle  get  fat  running  in 

i  tlie  woods  during  gra.ss  uKuiths. 

j     Good   heavy  team-horses  readilv  sell 

I  to  the  pinery  men  at  large  prices.  Large 

'  working-oxen  are  worth  a  hundred  and 

llfty  to  two  hundred  and   twenty-live 

dollars  per  yoke.     Cows  sell  at  twenty- 

tive  to  sevent.v  dollars. 

The   ciuinty    is   settling   rapidly   by 

Swedes,  Danes,  Xorwegians,  anil  Ger- 

nmns,  and  emigrants  from  other  States; 

each     naliomdity     settling    by    it.self. 

j  Churches  and   schoolhouses  claim  the 

early  attentimi  of    the  people.      They 

j  have  contentment  in  their  midst,  which 

I  is  a  sure  forerunner  to  wealth.     Plenty 

i  of  unoccupied  land.     Government  lands 

■for   purchase  or  homesteadiug.     Slate 

lands  at  a  dollar  ami  twenty-live  cents 

per  acre. 

PouTAOE  Coi'NTV.  —Tills  is  the  most 

centralcounty  ot  theState.and.allhiuigh 

!  its  resources  are  far  from  being  fully  de- 

'  veloped,  it  already  holds  the  first  rank 

on  the  Upper  \\isc(Uisiii  in  regard  to 

position,  soil,  climate,  and  commercial 

advantages.    It  is  thirty  ndles  in  length 

j  north  anil  south,  and   about   thirty   in 

vyidtli.     The. southern  and  eastern'por- 

j  tions  of  tlie  county  cmitain  a  majority 

I  of  the   inhabitants;   the   north-western 

part  being  composed  mostly  of  heavy 

timbered  lanils.    The  number  of  town- 

shiiis  in  tlie  cmiiity  is  twenty-two. 

The  agricultural  resources,  while  they 


nrsTORr  of  wiscoNsrx. 


cannot,  for  obvious  reasons,  compare 
favoralily  with  those  of  llio  older  and 
more  thickly  settled  portions  of  the 
State,  are,  nevertheless,  far  in  ailvaiice 
of  the  estimate  foriiierlv  placed  upon 
them.  There  is  very  little  waste  land  in 
the  county;  the  few  swamps  and  marsh- 
es which  it  contains  being  susceptible  of 
drainaBe,  whereby  they  may  he  made 
equal  or  superior  to  the  best  faruiing- 
land  in  this  vicinity.  The  .soil,  in  some 
portions  of  the  I'ounty,  is  a  light  sandy 
loam ;  yet  it  is  quite  productive  in  favor- 
able seasons,  and,  under  judicious  man- 
agement, will  doubtless  he  susceptil>lc 
of  great  improvement.  In  the  eastern 
portion  of  the  county,  the  soil  is  proba- 
bly as  good  for  farming-purposes  a.s  in 
the  northern  portion  of  the  State. 

The  ntimber  of  aires  at  present  tinder 
cultivation  in  tho  county  is  about  75,- 
07!>.  Amount  of  wheat  raised  during 
the  year  ending  .Tune  1,  1«"0,  210,l.'51t 
bushels;  rye,  ,")!t,;!0;»  bushels;  corn,  (i4,- 
022  bushels;  oats,  152,143  bushels;  bar- 
ley, 0,137  bushels  ;  potatoes,  113.!I7(> 
bushels.  Amount  of  wool  produced 
during  the  same  year,  2.5,!W7  pounds; 
butter,  l',l!t,517  pounds ;  cheese,  7,'XV] 
pounds;  hay,  9,752  tons;  hops,  70,071 
pounds. 

The  total  estimated  value  of  all  farm 
productions  for  the  same  year  is  8043,- 
757;  the  value  of  manufactures  (chiefly 
lumber)  produ(,'ed,  $522,742. 

The  miwufa(;tures  of  the  county  are 
thus  far  coulined  to  tho  single  article  of 
lumber,  of  which  a  great  amount  is  an- 
nually produced.  The  number  of  saw- 
mills in  the  county  is  .about  twentv-tive, 
many  of  which  ai'O  steam-mills  of  l.irge 
capacity,  employing  a  great  number  of 
•workmen. 

The  internal  improvements  of  the 
county  are  crcilitable  in  their  character. 
A  tine  bridge  has  been  built  across  the 
Wisconsin  at  Stevens  Point,  at  a  cost  of 
over  twenty  -  two  thousand  dollars. 
There  are  many  church-buihlings  in  the 
county,  and  capacious  and  ccuivenient 
school-editlces  in  nearly  all  the  towns. 
The  court-house  at  Stevens  Point  is  a 
line  stone  building,  costing  thirty  thou- 
sand dollars:  its  elegant  architecture 
and  proportions  would  not  do  <liscredit 
to  any  of  our  large  cities.  The  railroad- 
facilities  are  excellent.  The  county  i,s 
exceedingly  prosperous. 

Eacimr  County.' —  Uacine  County  is 
bounded  on  the  east  by  lake  Michigan, 
on  the  south  by  Kenosha  County,  on 
the  west  by  Walworth,  and  oii  the 
north  by  Milwaukee  County.  The  cli- 
mate may  be  considered  as  good  as  In 
any  county  in  this  country  in  the  same 
latitude,  and,  in  some  respects  superior. 
The  waters  of  Lake  Michigan  exert  a 

»  We  are  Indebted  to  Hon.  W.  0.  Allen 
Racine  for  this  ukotch.  — C.  U.  X. 


salubrious  and  healthy  influence  on  the 
atmosphere  in  dissipating  all  poisonotis 
vapors  that  might  be  iu  the  air,  indu- 
cing fevers  and  other  sicrknes.s.  In  the 
summer  season,  there  is  always  a  sea- 
breeze  from  tho  lake  during  the  night, 
and  a  land-breeze  during  tlio  day,  there- 
by changing  the  atmosphere  almost 
contiiumll.S'. 

The  topography  of  the  county  is  that 
of  an  undul.ating  chara-ter,  rising  to 
two  himdred  an<l  sixty  feet,  or  more, 
above  the  waters  of  Lake  Michig.an. 
The  couiitv  has  only  one  considerable 
river,  the  t'ox,  whiidi  runs  through  the 
whole  breadth  of  the  county,  from 
north  to  south,  affording  excellent 
water-power  in  the  flourishmg  villages 
of  Waterford,  Rochester,  and  Bnrling- 
ton.  lloot  Kiver,  which  empties  into 
the  harbor  at  Racine,  affords  cons'uler- 
ablo  water-power.  The  soil  of  R.acine 
County  is  generally  of  an  argillaceous 
loam,  rich  and  deep.  The  county  is 
abundantlv  supplied  with  stock  water. 
The  subsoil  of  the  county  is  marl-clay, 
generally  free  from  gravel  or  sand.  All 
kinds  of  timber  grow  in  abundance  in 
the  county,  common  to  the  .State,  ex- 
cept the  coniferous  class.  The  soil  of 
the  county  is  well  ailapted  to  the  rais- 
ing of  wheat,  rye,  barley,  oats,  corn, 
potatoes,  ttirnip's,  and  carrots;  but,  iu 
our  judgment,  there  is  no  county  in  the 
State  better  adapted  to  the  raising  of 
grass,  and  stock-breeding.  From  the 
peculiar  character  of  the  soil,  and  the 
moist  atmosphere  prevailing  during  the 
spring,  summer,  and  autumn  months, 
induced  by  the  constant  vapors  from 
Lake  Michigan,  an  abundant,  sweet, 
and  nutritious  grass  is  produced.  Ex- 
perienced stock-growers  have  discovered 
this  fofit,  and  availed  themselves  of  its 
advantage,  .and  started  herds  of  supe- 
rior blood.  Among  the  most  prominent 
of  stock-breeders  are  George  Murray, 
Ksq.,  Richard  Richards,  and  Henry  fe. 
Uiu-and. 

The  stone  and  lime  business  Is  largely 
on  the  increase  at  the  city  of  Racine 
A  little  outside  of  the  city  limits  are 
inexhaustible  stone  quarries,  out  of 
which  is  burned  the  very  best  ipiality  of 
lime.  The  limestone  belongs  to  the 
Niamira  group,  and  is  of  excellent 
quality  for  cellar-walls,  and  for  the 
btisements  of  all  kinds  of  bnihlings.  The 
stone  and  lime  find  a  ready  market;  and 
the  dem.and  is  Largely  on  the  increase. 

Jlncinc  The  city  of  Racine  is  sit  uated 
on  Lake  Michigan ;  has  a  large  and  c;om- 
moilions  harbor,  and  one  of  the  tli'est 
elevators  in  the  State.  The  city  stands 
about  forty  feet  above  the  hike,  and 
contains  a  population  of  twelve  thou- 
sand, and  is  justly  called  the  "  Belle 
City ; "  has  fine  railroad,  steaud)oat,  and 
sail-vessel  connections  with  all  parts  of 
the  country  ;   stands   out  In  the  lake 


fflSTORY  OF   WISCOffSlN. 


687 


a1in\it  fnm  miles,  on  a  proniontnry; 
winds  from  the  northeast  ami  westhlow 
over  it,  making  the  city  one  of  the  most 
(leliKliffiil  places  to  live  in  in  the  West; 
and  no  liner  summer  resort  can  t)efo\ind. 
The  soil  about  anil  near  the  city  is  well 
adapted,  as  well  svs  tlie  climute,  to  tlie 
growing  of  apples,  pears,  plums,  cher- 
ries, grapes,  anil  all  small  fruits. 

It  liiis  Hne  public  schoolhonses,  erect- 
ed at  a  cost  of  over  seventy-live  thou- 
sand dollars;  a  collejje  witli  over  two 
linndred  pupils  and  ei(;ht  professors, 
and  buililinj^s  and  Rrounds  valued  at 
two  hundred  andeijjhty-seven  thousand 
dollars;  twenti'-two  churches,  some  of 
which  cost  lar^e  sums  of  money;  and 
an  orphan-asylum,  built  by  the  mnnill- 
cence  of  Isaac  Taylor,  dociuised,  at 
an  expense  of  seventy-five  thousand 
dollars.  The  citv  prides  herself  on 
her  largo  and  valuaiilo  manufactures, 
amon<;  the  most  prominent  of  which  we 
mention  that  of  .).  I.  Case  &  Co.  Popu- 
lation in  1875,  l;S,'274. 

IliOHLAN'D  CoUNTV.  —  In  tlils  county 
the  first  .settlements  were  made  more 
than  twenty  years  ago,  when  hunting 
was  the  occupation,  not  simply  the  pas- 
time ;  the  forests  of  that  day  ahouiul- 
ing  in  bear,  deer,  and  smaller  game. 
Permanent  improvements  for  agricul- 
tural and  ilomestic  puriMises  were  begun 
a  few  years  later.  One-si.\tli  to  one- 
flfth  of  tlie  territory  is  now  under  cul- 
tivation; one-liaif  to  two-thirds  of  llie 
remainder  may  bo  e.-vsilv  tilled;  while 
very  little  woidd  l)e  lostto  the  economi- 
cal and  intelligent  farmer. 

The  soil  near  the  'Wisconsin  River, 
■wliich  marks  the  southern  boundarv, 
and  from  wliich  thecount.y  is  commoniv 
approaclied,  may  seem  light;  but  it  is 
not  unproductive,  a.s  that  which  has 
been  cultivated  has  repeatedly  demon- 
strated. The  .soil  of  the  northern  two- 
thirds  of  the  county  is,  in  the  main,  a 
heav.v  black  loam,  adapted  to  abuost 
every  thingknown  to  agricultural  econo- 
my. The  northern  half  is  lieavily  tim- 
bered ;  and  there  is  no  dearth  of  fencing 
and  firewood  anywhere.  Oaks,  elms, 
walnuts,  bass  wood,  &o.,  are  the  pre- 
vailing timbers. 

Xo  .section  of  the  State  is  better  a<lapt- 
ed  to  stock-raising,  the  hills  and  val- 
leys and  cry.stal  brooks  affording  con- 
venient fange,  protection,  and  water. 

Richland  Centre,  the  county-seat;  Lone 
Rock,  tlio  railroad  outlet  on  the  Mil- 
waukee and  Prairie  ilu  (.'hien  division 
of  the  .Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railroiwl; 
Cazenovia,  a  few  miles  from  the  Chica- 
go and  Xorth- western  Rnail;  Viola,  on 
the  Kickapoo  River,  and  Excelsior,  on 
Knapp's  Creek,  — are  the  most  thriving 
and  important  villages.  They  possess 
excellent  water-powers,  only  partially 
improved. 

The  populatiou  of  the  county  is  com- 


parativel.v  enterprising  and  intelligent. 
Public  schools  arc  liberally  encouraged, 
though  other  enterprises  suiter  some- 
what from  mistaken  notions  of  ecimo- 
my.  Agricultme  and  manufacturing 
engage  the  general  attention.  The  im- 
l)rovement  of  Pine  River,  of  which  it  is 
susceptible,  will  render  it  an  invaluable 
carrier  of  the  trafflu  of  the  countv,  and 
a  desirable  feeder  to  the  Wisconsin,  the 
improvement  of  which  is  being  prose- 
cuted with  vigor.  And  a  railroad  to 
complete  the  most  direct  route  from 
Chicago  to  the  North-west  must  inevi- 
tablv  .seek  its  way  up  the  Pine  River 
Valley. 

UocK  CouvTY.i  — This  is  one  of  the 
oldest  counties  in  tlie  State,  the  first 
settlement  being  made  in  lH:io;  and  in 
18:J!I  the  county  was  organized,  the  seat 
of  justice  being  established  at  Janes- 
ville.  It  now  contains  a  populatiou  of 
about  fort.v  thousand.  It  comprises  one 
of  the  best  agricultural  districts  in  the 
North-west.  Its  soil,  climate,  and  com- 
mercial situation  are  equal  to  any  other 
in  the  West,  and  lliere  is  scarcely  an 
aero  of  land  within  its  limits  which  can- 
not be  used  for  agricultural  purpo.ses. 
In  the  brief  space  of  thirty-five  years, 
the  entire  county  has  been  opened  up  to 
cultivation;  and  over  its  entire  surface 
may  be  found  homes  of  comfort  and 
beauty.  The  farms  in  this  county 
range  in  value  from  ten  to  one  hundred 
dollars  per  acre,  and  are  souglit  for,  not 
so  much  bv  emigrants  seeking  cheap 
lands,  as  by  those  desiring  beautiful 
homes,  where  they  may  at  once  enjoy 
all  the  comforts  and  conveniences  to  be 
found  in  the  older  and  more  wealthy 
portions  of  the  country. 

Rock  County  is  better  adapted  to 
growing  grain  than  the  growltifj  of 
grass;  and  every  year  marks  a  decided 
lirogrcss  in  the  mode  of  tillajje  and  tho 
consequent  increased  quantiiv  of  pro- 
ductions. The  wicked  ami  ruinous 
practice  of  many  farmers,  of  liurning 
tho  straw  and  manures,  instead  of  re- 
turning them  to  the  soil  in  compensa- 
tion for  its  rich  harvests,  has  been  aban- 
doned. Wheat  is  tlio  great  staple  of 
production;  it  being  est  imated,  that,  in  a 
single  crop,  the  production  of  the  county 
was  not  less  than  three  millions  of  bush- 
els, Corn,  barley,  oats,  and  all  the 
coarser  grains,  grow  in  rich  abundance, 
amply  rewarding  the  husbandman  for 
his  toil.  Notwithstanding  Rock  County 
is  better  adajited  to  grain-growing  than 
stock-raising,  tlie  farmers  are  giving 
considerable  atijiition  to  the  breeding 
of  stock;  and,  acting  upon  the  correct 
idea,  that  it  costs  but  little  to  raise  a 
blooded  animal,  are  constantly  introdn- 

'  We  are  indobted  to  iron.  Alexander 
Ornlmni  of  JnnesYille,  uiid  H.  F.  Hcbaitof 
Belolt,  for  this  ukatcb.  —  C.  It.  X. 


688 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


cingj  tlio  hest  varieties;  Bnil  nt  tlie  coun- 
ty faiM  limy  lie  seen  as  iiolilo  liDi-sett, 
cattle,  sliecp,  ami  Hwino,  as  niiuoHt 
aiiv  otlior  HectluH  of  tlie  country  can 
exiiibit. 

Tlie  surface  of  Uock  County  is  umlu- 
latin(»,  and  is  drained  liy  the  IJock  and 
Sugar  Kivers,  witli  tlieir  trihutaries, 
nearly  all  of  which  are  of  suHicient  size 
to  furnish  water-power  for  nianufactur- 
ing-purposes,  and  are  more  or  less  Im- 
proved. Kock,  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
rivers,  as  well  as  one  of  the  very  best 
mill-streams  in  the  West,  is  already  used 
largely  for  manufacturing-purposes,  and 
every  year  is  attracting  more  and  more 
tlie  attention  of  men  of  enterprise  and 
capital;  when  fully  improved,  its  power 
for  the  propulsion'of  machinery  will  bo 
almost  exhaustless.  The  facilities  for 
manufacturing  in  Rock  County  by  wa- 
ter-power are  but  partially  improved; 
and  yet  she  ranks  among  the  Hrst  in  the 
West;  her  annual  manufactured  product 
being  worth  not  less  than  three  ndllions 
of  dollars,  consisting  principally  of  tlour, 
agricultural  implements,  pa]>er,  woollen 
fabrics,  cabinet-ware,  lager  neer,  &c. 

During  the  last  decade,  the  general 
business  of  the  county  has  greatly  in- 
creased, and  everywhere  may  be  seen 
tokens  of  prosperity  and  growth,  based 
upon  the  production  of  diversiHed 
labor  In  agriculture  and  manufactures. 
During  the  same  period,  the  public 
buildings  erected  iu  the  infancy  of  the 
county  liave  given  way  to  permanent 
and  beautiful  structures;  and  thecounty 
now  boasts  of  a  splendid  court-house, 
costing  over  one  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars, and  churches  of  all  denmninations, 
eijual  iu  size,  .style,  and  convenience  to 
those  of  almost  any  cmiuty  in  the  East- 
ern or  >Ii<ldle  States;  ami  ihe  citizens  of 
Janesville  and  IJeloit  each  support  a  new 
and  creditable  opera-lumse. 

Kock  C(umty  is  pierced  east  and  west, 
nortli  and  south,  by  the  Milwaukee  and 
St.  I'aul,  and  the  North-western  Kall- 
wavs. 

T'he  educational  interestsof  the  county 
have  not  been  neglected.  Under  the 
system  of  free  gi'ailed  schoo^^,  uiion  tho 
S'ew  England  plan,  valuable  results 
have  been  attained;  and  it  is  gratifying 
to  ol)serve  a  steadily  increasing  interest 
In  tlie  schools,  and  a  jn'oper  appreci.ition 
of  them  by  the  people  generally.  The 
cities  of  .rancsville  and  Heloit  have  each 
expended  largo  sums  in  the  erection  of 
school-buildings;  and  the  sum  investeil 
for  school-purposes  <'annot  be  less  than 
two  hundred  thousand  dollars.  Super- 
add to  this  Ueloit  College,  under  the 
patiiiimge  of  the  Cougregatioualists,  one 
of  the  best  managed  ami  most  nourish- 
ing insiituti(Uis  of  learnhig  in  the  West; 
Millon  College,  under  the  management 
of  Seven-Day  llaptists;  and  the  livans- 
ville  Seiuinaiy,  under  the  uuutrol  uf  the 


Freewilinaptists,  —  and  youpla<'e  with- 
in the  reach  of  every  child  in  the  county 
tlie  means  of  a  liberal  education. 

The  Young  Men's  Literary  Association 
of  the  city  of  .ianusville  ha\"e  I'oUecteil 
within  the  last  four  years  a  very  cred- 
itatile  library  of  abdnt  four  thousand 
volumes  of  well-selected  works,  which 
form  a  nucleus  for  ultimately  placing 
within  the  reach  of  the  reading  public  a 
valuable  means  of  culture. 

Kock  County  contains  two  of  the  Hnest 
cities  in  flio  State  of  Wisconsin,  — .lanes- 
ville  and  Ueloit;  the  former  containing 
a  ponulation  of  about  tifteen  tliousnnd; 
the  latter,  eight  thousand;  besides  mi- 
iiierous  villages. 

lidoit  is  one  of  the  most  stirrinfj 
inannfacturing  cities  in  the  State.  The 
I'elebrated  "  building  paper  "  which  has 
come  into  such  universal  use  of  lato 
years,  was  invented,  and  is  manufac- 
tured, to  a  very  large  extent,  here. 

In  juafters  pertaining  to  horticulture, 
the  inhabitants  of  this  county  are  not 
behind  those  of  other  counties  of  this 
State.  Considerable  progress  has  been 
maile  in  the  past  few  years  in  these  pur- 
suits; and  an  improved  taste  is  lieing 
manifested  by  the  people  generally  in 
beautifying  and  adorning  tlieir  luime- 
steads,  by  tlio  liberal  planting  of  fruit 
and  ornamental  trees,  vines,  and  shrubs. 
Time  and  experience  have  demonstrated, 
that,  with  care  and  attention,  certain 
varieties  of  npi>les,  as  well  as  jiears  and 
plums,  can  be  su(?cessfully  and  iirotita- 
t)ly  grown.  The  time  has  arrived  when 
many  of  the  "country-seats"  take  pride 
and  pleasure  in  tine  grounds  and  taste- 
ful g.irdens;  and  in  the  cities,  nearly 
every  house  has  its  gardeu-spot.  taste- 
fully arranged  with  dioice  Howers,  vines, 
and  evergreens,  ami  kept  in  the  neate.st 
order.  In  addition  to  the  Hower  garden, 
many  have  conservatories  stocked  with 
choice  winter- liowering  plants:  while 
others,  with  less  conveniences,  keep 
them  in  the  parlor;  and  the  etfect  is  a 
wide  diffu  ion  of  a  taste  for  Howers,  and 
a  corresponding  t ante  anil  order  tliroiigh- 
out  the  whole  liousehold,  making  home 
more  pleasant  and  attractive. 

Jaiicsrille.  — The  loiuity-seat  of  Kock 
County,  is  pleasantly  situateil  on   both 
;  sides    of    Jloclt    Kiver,    and    was    se- 
!  lected  as  county-seat  in   1H.>7.  It  is  four- 
j  teen  miles  north  of  the  State-Une,  and 
'  on  tlie  (Jliicago  and  North- we-uein,  and 
Milwaukee  and  St.  I'aul  Kailroads.     It 
is  a  tiouiishing  place  of  business,  and 
has  an  excellent  water-power.   The  tii-st 
lunniifactory  for  cotton  cloth  in  tlie  State 
was   made    by  the   Janesville   Cotton 
Manufacturing  Company  in  May,  1W3. 
The  Wisccnisin  Institute  for  the  Educa- 
tion of  the  liliud  is  locateil  here.  The  tine 
building  which  has  been  used  by  the  in- 
stil iition  was  unfortunately  destroyed  by 
lire  a  few  years  since ;  and  a  new  building 


niSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Is  In  process  of  erection.  The  vnrions 
ntlicldiis  clenominiitions  Imve  clinrcli 
eililli'es.  Tlie  puhlic  schools  liave  line 
biiililinRs;  nnd  the  city  is  in  the  centre 
of  a  tino  aj;'''c'ilt'irttl  country,  comprising 
some  of  the  best-cultivated  farms  in 
Wisconsin. 

J'onnlation,  1875,  10,115. 

licloit  is  beautifully  situated  on  both 
siiles  of  Rock  River,  about  twelve 
miles  south  of  Janesville,  on  the  State- 
line;  and  is  a  thriving  place  of  business, 
liaving  excellent  manufacturing  facili- 
ties. Its  tirst  settlement  was  made  in 
1,S;H.  It  is  the  seat  of  Beloit  College, 
an  educational  instittition  of  high  rank, 
of  which   Rev.  A.  L.  Chapin,  LL.D.,  is 

f (resident.  The  water-power  at  Beloit 
las  been  much  improved.  Among  the 
manufactories  are  the  Beloit  Reaper 
and  Si<'klo  Works;  the  Merrill  &  Hous- 
ton Iron  Works  having  one  liundred 
men  in  their  employ,  and  manufacturing 
water-wheels  nnd  other  machinery;  the 
Rork  Ri%-er  Paper  Company,  maiiufac- 
turlng  wrapping  and  building  paper,  — 
the  latter  a  specialty,  employing  seven- 
ty-fivo  hands,  and  using  about  three 
thcjusand  tons  of  rye-straw  yearly,  pro- 
diuing  three  thousand  tons  of  paper. 
Their  building-paper  is  marketed  to 
Mexico,  the  Canadas,  and  most  all  the 
Northern  States.  The  Eclipse  Windmill 
Company  has  a  factory, — a  four-story 
brick  building,  forty  by  ninety-six  feet, 
—  and  can  make  fifteen  hundred  mills 
annually.  D.  W.  Dake's  Creamerv,  by  a 
patented  process  prepares  butter  for  the 
market,  of  superior  quality,  and  is  doing 
a  large  business.  O.  B.  01mstea<I&  Com- 
pany, manufacturers  of  windmills,  tur- 
lilne  water-wheels.  Beloit  I'lough  and 
Wagon  Works,  of  J.  Tliompson  &  Com- 
pany, mannfacture  the  Norwegian 
plough,  which  is  extensively  used  in  the 
North-west.  Beloit  has"  some  eight 
churches,  a  large  number  of  mercantile 
establishments,  as  well  as  many  me- 
chanical shops  and  trailes.  Its  prospects 
as  a  place  of  business  are  superior;  ard 
it  luis  many  ailvantages  as  a  place  of 
residence,  and  is  beautifully  situated. 
IJelnit  is  on  the  Chicago  and  North-west- 
ern Ilailroatl;  it  has  a  communication 
with  Chicago,  Milwaukee,  and  Green 
Bay,  and  the  intermediate  points. 

Beloit  College  Is  sittiated  in  a  largo 
and  pleasant  grove,  on  an  elevated  nnd 
undulating  plat  of  ground  in  the  north- 
eastern part  of  the  city.  It  has  a  large 
and  competent  faculty;  and  the  insti- 
tutiiui  lias  11  high  reputation,  ami  is  well 
sustained,  and  liberally  supported. 
Population.  1873,  4,(i03. 
St.  Ckoi.x  Coti>TY. — St.  Croix  County 
contains  4(k(,on7  acres  of  land,  about 
onefourtli  under  ctiltivation.  The  gen- 
eral topography  of  the  county  is  rolling, 
tlHMigh,  111  many  jilaces,  swampy  and 
hilly.    The  soil  is  of  a  clay-loBui",  very 


fertile,   producing  all   kinds   of  cere- 
als. 

Water -facilities  are  excellent.  The 
Willow  River  is  a  splendid  stream  of 
water,  capable  of  nmiiing  lieavy  ma- 
chinery at  numerous  points;  and  other 
streams  traverse  the  county,  on  which 
are  muny  good  mill-sites.  Oak,  ash,  elm, 
birch,  and  bnsswood  are  the  principal 
varieties  of  timber.  Several  briiikyards 
are  in  successful  operation.  Limestone 
and  stone-quarries,  of  good  quality,  are 
found  in  many  parts  of  the  county.  The 
West  Wi-sconsfn  Railway,  now  com- 
pleteil  to  St.  Paul,  runs  across  the  coun- 
ty nearly  in  an  east  and  west  line,  near 
the  centre  of  the  county. 

In  breeding  of  cattle,  some  of  the  fami- 
ors  are  fast  improving  their  herds  by 
crossing  the  natives,  or  what  they  call 
scrubs,  with  the  Durhams  and  Devons. 
In  liorses,  they  are  doing  something  with 
the  Black  Hawk,  Morgans,  and  Brig- 
nolias.  Sheep-husbandry  has  not  proved 
remunerative,  probably  because  they 
started  with  the  small  Merinos.  The 
Southdowns,  Ijcicestershires,  and  Cots- 
wolds  do  finely.  Pork  -  production  is 
steadil.y  on  the  increase.  A  cross  of  the 
White  Chester  and  Suffolk  makes  ex- 
cellent hogs. 

Manufactures  are  confined  principally 
to  lumber.  Hour,  fanning-iraplements, 
tin  and  sheet-iron  ware,  wagons,  &c. 

The  West  Wiscon.sin  Railway  nins 
across  the  county  nearly  in  an  east  and 
west  line,  near  the  centre  of  the  county, 
which  gives  direct  connection  witli 
Madison,  Milwaukee,  Chicago,  and  tlie 
East,  saving  a  distance  of  nearly  ninety 
miles  over  the  Minnesota  railways, 
making  an  excellent  outlet  for  the 
products. 

Sauk  Countv.  —  This  county  has  the 
Milwaukee  and  Prairie  du  Chien  Rail- 
road running  through  the  southern  por- 
tion; the  Milwaukee  and  La  Crosse,  or 
St.  Paul  Railroail,  running  through  the 
northern  portion;  and  the  Chicago  and 
North-western  Railroad,  which  is  the 
main  trunk,  or  most  direct  route  from 
Chicago  to  the  Northern  Pacific  Rail- 
road, running  tliroiigli  its  central  por- 
tion. Hence,  notwitlistanding  its  inte- 
rior positions  as  rejjards  the  Cireat  Lakes 
and  the  great  Mississippi  River,  its  com- 
merce has  wholesome  checks  for  extrav- 
agant rates  of  transportation  by  the 
nearness  of  the  three  railroad  lines  to 
eat'li  other;  the  middle  representing 
Chicago  interests,  while  the  outside  ones 
represent  Milwaukee  interests. 

There  \i  another  wholesome  check 
that  miglit  otherwise  be  demanded  for 
high  rates  of  transportation,  which  is 
the  natural  competiti(m  that  exists  be- 
tween water  and  rail  transportation, 
which  a  largo  portion  of  the  people  of 
Sauk  County  enjoy.  Steamboat-naviga- 
tiou  can,  with  a  trifling  expense,  oe 


fiOO 


inSTORr  OF   WISCONSIN. 


bronylit  into  tlie  oentro  of  tlin  county 

ria  till!  Ilarnil Itiviu-,  wliiili  is  a  slim- 

({isli  1111(1  (Icnp  Htiemii  ii>4  fur  iiji  as  tlio 
rapiils  at  llio  villaj.'ii  cif  Uarralmo,  wlieru 
tlie  stii'am  falls  fnrtv-six  feet  witliin 
two  iiiilcs  ami  a  half.  It  is  now  jiaprovcMl 
with  four  I  lams;  it  eaiiliea^aiuilaiuiuiMi, 
nialtiiiK  over  tlft.v  feet  within  three  miles 
anil  a  half.  This  is  oiiu  of  the  liest 
water-powers  in  llie  State.  There  is  not 
one-fourtliof  this  Harralioo  water-power 
yet  used.  At  the  present  time,  aliouf 
live  huiidreil  thousand  dollars'  value  of 
poods  and  uraius  are  maunfaitured  liere. 
Here  yet  is  opened  a  lield  for  the  em- 
ployment of  enjiital.  There  ean  he  read- 
ily thirty  water  -  powers  enumerated 
within  Sauk  County. 

The  western  llndtofulaeial  drift  makes 
Us  lino  through  the  north-eastern  part  of 
Sank  County,  taking astrii> of  the  county 
ten  or  twelve  miles  wide  in  its  widest 
place.  Tlio  land  upon  this  strip  is 
chopped  up  into  drift-hills;  in  plaies  is 
sandy  and  poor;  in  other  pla<es,  alluvial 
and  rich,  with  marshes,  ponds,  and  lake- 
lets. The  Klii'iiil  forces  are  liero  more 
stronnl.v  nmrkcd  than  the  country  fur- 
ther east. 

In  tlio  driftless  portion  of  the  county, 
wliero  the  valleys  and  ravines  are  truly 
and  syslomaticlly  washed  out,  the  lanil 
is  all  a  strong  clay-hiain,  and  most  of  it 
rich,  and  well  watered.  Sauk  County  is 
all  well  watereil.  In  the  western  and 
nortliern  imrtions,  the  small  streams  are 
tilled  with  speckled  trout:  atone  plaie 
they  are  cultivated  as  a  farm  product. 
Farmers  are  latterly  turniui;  their  atten- 
tion to  dairyin;^. 

There  is  one  iron  mine  and  one  1ila.st- 
fnruaco  in  the  county  that  has  run  si.x- 
teeii  years,  and  has,  ]uoliably,  made  two 
hundred  thousand  tons  of  iron.  At  this 
time,  there  are  several  other  points  in 
tlie  county  that  are  hein;;  "pros- 
jMjcted;"  and  it  is  helieved  that  there 
may  lie  (piite  an  e.\tensive  rufjion  of 
banks  of  iron  ore  opened. 

Speaking  in  a  general  way,  we  can 
Hav  that  Sank  tlounty  has  an  e.\cellent 
soil  is  well  watered,  and  abundantly 
tiiuliered,  with  alinndance  of  water- 
power,  and  lar^e  mineral  resources  ami 
navigable  streams.  Certainly,  it  has  all 
the  advantages  a  people  need  ask  for; 
and  they  are  being  rapidly  taken  advan- 
tage of. 

SiiAW.vvo  County.  — Shawano  County 
is  sitiuited  in  the  north-eastern  portion 
of  the  State.  The  general  topography 
of  the  county  is  rolling.  Quality  of  soil 
along  the  banks  of  .streams  is  a  sandy 
loam  i  while  on  the  tipland.s  it  is  a  black 
loam,  with  a  clay  subsoil.  County  con- 
tains six  hundred  and  Itfty  thousand 
atues  of  laud,  with  forty  thousaiul  un- 
der cultivation ;  of  the  balance,  live  liuii- 
ilred  and  sevcuty-tlve  thousaiul  acres 
are  capable  of  cultivation.    The  county 


is  fertile,  yielding  good  crops  of  all 
kinds.  (Jood  mill-privileges  are  foinul 
on  iiearlv  all  streams,  (iood  clay,  for 
briitk  auci  other  piirnoses,  is  abundant; 
and  brick  are  manufactured  at  reasona- 
ble [irices.  The  prevailing  limber  of  the 
forests  is  oak,  ash,  pine,  maple,  beech, 
hickory,  basswood,  and  hemlock.  Or 
the  streams  that  traverse  tlui  county, 
the  Wolf  is  the  largest,  being  iiavigablo 
up  as  far  as  Shawano  Village.  The  riv- 
ers and  lakes  are  liilei'  with  (Isli  of  all 
kinds.  This  county  has  good  water- 
power,  and  is  well  lulapted  to  the  raisiiit; 
of  winter  wheat.  The  winters  are  uni- 
form; and  the  snow  covers  the  grcuiiul, 
and  protects  the  grain;  the  result  being 
a  yield  of  from  twenty-live  to  tliirty-tivo 
bushels  per  acre  of  very  plump,  bright 
1  wheat,  that  produces  the  very  bcsthraiul 
of  Hour.  (J.its,  barley,  and  rye  grow 
I  well,  anil  produce  heavy  <!rops. 
}  SiiEHovdA.v  Cou.NTV. — Twenty  -  flv6 
year.s  ago,  this  county  was  a  vast  wil- 
iilenioss,  with  its  forests  of  pine  and 
hard  wood,  broken  only  by  the  lumber- 
man, who  was  employed  in  iiianufai:tur- 
ing  lumber,  and  exiiortiug  it  to  a  distant 
market;  ami  the  pioneer  fanner  was 
occupied  in  cutting  down  the  timber,  and 
burning  it  on  the  ground,  to  make  room 
for  a  farm.  To-day  more  than  half  its 
surface  is  a  cleared  Held;  oiid  its  remain- 
ing timber  is  valuable,  and  all  needed 
within  its  own  limits. 

At  that  time,  and  for  years  after,  the 
pioneer  suffered  all  the  iuconvenieiices 
of  settling  ill  the  woods.  Now  he  enjoys 
i  the  benelits  of  living  in  a  timbereil  ro- 
I  gion.  Then,  with  his  own  hand,  he 
j  scattered  the  seed  among  the  roots  iu 
;  the  spring,  and  could  be  seen  swinging 
'  his  cradle  among  the  stumps  in  harvest. 
!  Now  the  seeder  sows  his  seed  upon  the 
smooth  Held;  and  the  most  ppprovoil 
\  reaper  cuts,  and  gathers  into  bundles, 
the  ripeiu:d  grain. 

Fruit,  though  not  as  easily  raised  as  in 
some  counties,  is  found  to  re|)uy  judi- 
ciousculture;  and  from  twenty-tive  tlion- 
.sand  to  seventy-tive  thousand  bushels  of 
apples  is  the  yearly  product.  It  is  agreed, 
among  the  pioneers,  that  the  climate  is 
some  wliat  inodiHei!  as  far  ivi  agriculture 
is  concerned,  sim  r  the  lirst  settlement 
of  the  county,  as  but  little  ditiiculty  is 
now  experienced  in  maturing  corn  and 
vesjetables,  and  some  varieties  of  grapes. 
This  is,  in  part,  due  to  enlarging  the 
clearings,  by  which  the  air  circulates 
more  freely;  iu  part,  to  ploughing  and 
cultivating  the  .soil,  l)y  which  the  heat 
of  the  sun  by  day  is  retained  iu  tho 
earth  to  temper  the  cold  air  of  night 

The  uianufactiue  of  cheese  is  advan- 
cing. A  large  portion  of  the  lirst  settlers 
are  of  foreign  birth,  who,  having  passed 
nearly  half  xhcir  lives  iu  Europe,  were 
able  to  land  upon  these  shores  with  little 
more  than  the  value  of  au  eighty-acre  lot 


HISTORY  OF  WISCOSaiN. 


G91 


of  Kovemmont  prlres,  and  yot  liave  sui>  | 
■eciliMl  ill  nlnciiii;  tlietiwrlvos  in  circiiiii-  i 
stamps  i)f  iiiil()|i«uili'ii(i»,  luiil  nftoii  nf 
Avenltli,  beiiin  piws(!ss(!il  (if  valiialil(i 
farms,  witli  cjoiiiiniiilliini  liiiililiii;^'s,  anil 
all  till)  iiiipniviMl  mill  apiirnvcil  inarliin- 
or.v  so  lii^'lily  imIzimI  liy  tlio  Aniorican 
faniirr.  Tlii'ii'  siicci'-is  may  he  nwintf.  in 
part,  ti)  lialiits  of  iiulimtry  ami  oi'iiiiniiiy, 
tians|)iiile(l  fniiii  tlie  olil  C'iniiitry,  ami 
tliDstiiiinlnsafTiiriUMl  by  lifeinHtilntiiins, 
yiit  iiiiicli  to  tlio  capai'ity  of  the  soil  for 
riiinrniiiK  a  rmvaril  for  lalior,  to'^'ctlicr 
witli  a  near  and  ipiiily  niiukcl  for  tlai 
prodiirts.  Lalior- savinjj  iimcliiiics  of 
all  kinds  liecnino  nioru  inniieroiis  iivery 
year.  The  present  season,  there  has 
lieeii  sold  to  tlu!  farmers  of  the  eoiiiity 
luiaily  three  hundred  reapers  and  mow- 
ers alone,  and  innninerahle  iiiiplenients 
of  less  yalue. 

The  mannfactiires  of  the  eoniity  aliout 
eiiual  the  prodiii'ts  of  the  farm,  and  have 
aiyani'cd  ronsiderahly  since  the  late 
census,  partii'uhirly  hrick,  of  which 
ahout  tiye  iiiillioii  are  annually  made, 
chiefly  at  the  city  of  Sliehoy^ian,  tindliiK 
a  market  at  home  and  at  various  points 
oil  Lake  .Michijian;  leather,  of  which 
Idiw  ipiantities  of  nntiiii-<lied  are  year- 
ly sent  to  the  liostoii  market;  chairs, 
which  find  a  market  in  the  cilies  of  the 
West;  and  .steel,  which  is  a  new  enter- 
prise, carried  on  at  Shelioytjan;  while 
other  articles  —  sncli  as  flour,  liimher, 
wau'ons,  steam -engines,  farm  -  iniple- 
nieiils,  cloth,  pottery,  &c. — are  iiianu- 
factured  with  enterprise  and  success. 

The  facilities  for  comnierce  have  great- 
ly increased;  and  the  linsiness  of  the 
port  of  Shehoy^jau  has  nearly  doiihled 
111  the  last  three  years.  Six  years  a,','o, 
no  railroad  extended  lieyond  the  limits 
of  tliecoiinty.  Now  the  .Shehoynan  and 
Fond  dii  Lac  liaili'oad  extends  to  Fox 
Itivcr,  anil  the  Milwaukee  and  Nortlierii 
to  Meiia^ha,  crossindcachotherat  IMyiii- 
ouih.  near  the  centre  of  tlioconnty.  The 
Lake -shore  Uoad  extends  from  Mil- 
waukee to  Manitowoc,  and  will  soon 
reach  out  to  (ireen  Kay.  Th(;<e,  to- 
gether with  a  Rood  liarhor  and  lake- 
coninierce,  oUKht  to  servo  all  the  re- 
ipiirements  of  Imsiness  and  travel  need- 
ed f(u-  the  full  develo|)nient  of  the  iii- 
diistiial  interests  of  tins  county. 

Shi'.hiiijiiim,  the  capital  of  Sliel)oyt;an 
County,  is  situated  on  Lake  Jliclii^an, 
at  the  month  of  a  river  of  its  own  name, 
sixty-two  niile.s  north  of  Milwaukee, 
and  a  hundred  and  ten  miles  north-east 
of  .Madison.  It  was  settled  in  is;«i, 
ahandoned  in  1840;  and  in  lH4j  it  had  a 
huiKJred  and  fifty  inhaliitants.  There  is 
no  city  on  the  lakes  iiioro  pleasantly  lo- 
cated. The  land,  at  this  point,  juts'  out 
into  Lake  Michigan;  .so  that,  dnriiiK  the 
summer  months,  it  is  swopt  by  delightful 
lake-hrcezo.<,  aildiiiB  Kreafi.'  to  the  pu- 
rity of  the  air  and  Uie  salubrity  of  the 


climate.  The  river  liero  desiribes  an 
immense  curve,  there  beiiiv;  nearly  two 
miles  of  naviualile  stream  wllliiu  the 
city  limits.  On  both  sides  of  tlie  river 
is  a  bolil  plateau,  with  a  penile  iiinlulat- 
iiiLt  surface,  exlendin(;on  the  north  and 
east  to  the  lake,  and  westward  back  Into 
the  country  for  several  miles.  This 
tahle-laiiil  is  beautifully  dotted  with 
little  Kri'ves  of  secoiid-j;rowlh  pine,  to 
which  I'ircnnistanco  is  attrilniicd  the 
desiynatiotl  of  the  "  Kver,'iecii  City." 
N'o  liner  sites  for  re'^idemes  can  be 
found  in  the  West  than  at  and  Mioninl 
this  city. 

The  business  establishments  on  the 
river,  coiisistinsjof  (;i"ist-mills,  saw-mills, 
factories,  iinu  liiiie  shop,  )ilaiiiu;,'-iiiill, 
tanneries,  elevators,  and  ship-yards, 
with  their  nnmerous  operatives,  and  the 
constant  hum  of  machiiiery,  u'^e  aiiiplH 
evidence  of  the  thrift,  business  enerjiy, 
and  enterprise  of  the  inhabitants;  while 
north  and  east  of  the  river  is  the  leniial 
mart  of  trade,  willi  its  wide,  clean,  lieaii- 
tifiil  .streets,  its  iinposiu;,'  brick  struc- 
tures, its  banks,  .stores,  hotels,  and 
churches. 

Sheboyjian  has  a  Roodly  number  of 
church  orv;aiiizalioiis;  and  nearly  all  of 
them  have  neat  and  tasty  phu'es  of  wor- 
ship. There  is  the  .Methodisi,  Conirre- 
Kational,  Lutheran,  (ierman-.Metliodist, 
(Jatholic,  (iernian-Iteform,  Kvaiutelical, 
Episcopal,  r.iid  I'nilarian.  They  all 
have  larne  coii^rejrations,  and  usually  a 
full  atteiiilnnce, 

.Sheboy^jan  County  li.as  one  of  the  (in- 
eif  conrt-liouses  in  the  State,  which  was 
built  in  IHiiS,  and  cost  sixty-live  thou- 
sand dollars.  Its  fonndation  covers  I'.n 
are.i  of  a  hundred  and  live  by  a  hundred 
and  ten  feet,  facing;  on  Centre  Street. 
It  is  built  of  a  croam-colorcd  brick:  the 
whole  is  surmounted  by  a  dome,  whoso 
apex  is  a  hiindieil  and  twenty  feci  al.'ovo 
the  earth,  and  a  hundred  and  fifty  above 
the  surface  of  the  lake. 

The  llrst  man  that  is  known  to  have 
visited  the  present  site  of  SlieIioyj{au 
was  William  Fariisworth.  lie  was  an 
Indian  fur-trader,  haviux  a  post  at 
(Ireeu  fiay.  Atone  time,  when  he  was 
coasliuL;  aloiifj  the  western  shore  of  the 
lake  ill  a  ciuioe,  between  Green  Hay  and 
(.^liiia^'O,  he  laiideit  at  this  point.  This 
was  ill  the  year  IHIH.  He  subsei|iiently 
settled  near  the  present  city.  During; 
the  same  year,  a  Frenchman,  by  the 
name  of  Andrew  Vieux,  built  a  hut  on 
the  east  side  of  the  ri'er,  in  wliicli  ho 
lived,  and  had  horn  to  him  the  first  white 
child  that  saw  the  liKht  of  day  in  the 
territory  which  is  now  the  City  of  Slie- 
lioyj^an.  From  that  day,  it  has  con- 
tinued to  grow  and  increa.se  in  popula- 
tion and  wealth. 

The  Shebovnan  Manufaetnrinn  Com- 
pany established  its  works  in  IKii'.l,  and 
is  now,  with  one  e.xoeptiou,  the  largest 


G92 


HISTORY  OF   W/SCO!fSl!f. 


nlialr-tnnniifartory  In  Hie  TJnItoil  Stntos. 
TliH  I'Imrlarcil  I'lipiliil  i)f  tliU  o-itiililli)i- 
iiii'iit  in  two  liiiiiilitMl  tliimsniiil  (IdlliirH 
({iviii^  uiii|ili>yiiii>iit  to  twi)  liiiiiilrL'il  aiKi 
llffy  wiii'kiiinn.  Tliu  nrO'tiilout,  S.  M. 
UiiiTolt,  U  n  iiiiiii  well  veriBil  in  thu 
))iisiiio<H,  and  of  liirRi)  oxperionco.    Tliu 

lnr;;o  iiioa  of  Krouuil,  imilt  of  Miiwiui- 
koo  liiick,  nndlicutcd  witli  steiuii.  Tiiis 
('onipniiv  HliipH  tliuir  Koods  to  nnirly  all 
parts  o(  the  United  States:  tlio  largest 
portion,  however,  is  kept  in  tlio  North- 
west. Tliere  are  a  hiinilred  ami  llfty 
dllTerent  kinds  of  chairs  niannfaetiired, 
from  the  plainest  np  to  the  lliiest, 

HhehoyKan  has  two  ifood  local  papers, 
"The  Herald"  and  "Tlie Times.  They 
also  have  a  j;ood  Oermaii  paper,  "  Tliu 
Domokrat,"  well  printed  and  eilited. 

The  edncatioiial  facilities  of  Slieboy- 
Ran  are  of  u  lii;;li  order,  and  Hpeak  well 
for  the  intelli.noiK'O  of  its  citizens.  It  lias 
an  excellent  system  of  k''1>i1<-'iI  sidioids 
n  lai'KO  and  inaijiiitivcntly  furnished 
brick  schoolhoiisn,  and  a  State  Normal 
Scliool.  The  best  of  teachers  are  em- 
ployed; and  the  citizens  of  Sheboygan 
Hpeak  of  their  schools  with  cumnieiulu- 
blo  afToction  and  pride. 

I'opillation,  1H7.">,  ;i,4,-.0. 

TAyum  County.  —  This  county  was 
recently  or(»anized  by  the  legtslatiire:  it 
is  composed  of  partsof  Clark,  Chippewa, 
Marathon,  and  fjincoin  (bounties,  con- 
sistiiiK  of  twenty-seven  townships  The 
land  is  generally  niidnlatiii}},  and  cnv- 
cre<I  with  valuable  timlier,  principally 
liecch,  maple,  oak,  pine,  hemlock,  and 
basswood.  lii  .some  parts  of  the  coiiiuy 
then)  are  tine  cranberrvniarshes,  from 
which  are  realized  yearly  Imndsume 
prolits. 

A  large  part  of  the  county  Is  goverr 
ineiitland;  and  excellent  opportunities 
are  afforded  for  those  who  wish  to  make 
a  settlement.    Tlie  soil  consists  priiici- 

fiall.v  of  da.v  interspersed  with  vollow 
oaiii.  All  kinds  of  products  adapted  to 
the  State  can  be  prowu  here,  ana  most 
of  them  with  prollt.  Corn,  in  an  ordi- 
nary .season,  does  well;  and  potatoes 
crow  to  an  unusual  size,  — some  twelve 
iniihes  in  circninferenco. 

The  principal  places  in  the  count.v  are 
Medford,  Clielsea,  and  We.stliorouKh, 
situated  on  tlie  line  of  tlie  Wisconsin 
Central  Hailroad.  The  most  important 
village  is  Medford,  the  county-seat.  The 
site  is  a  beautiful  one.  The  villaso  is  of 
meteoric  growtli.  The  lirst  building 
erei^ted  was  about  a  year  ago:  there  are 
at  present  not  less  than  .sixt.y.  The 
most  important  buildings  are  the  large 
saw-mill  and  planiiig-inillof  Koliertanil 
Whelaii,  wliicli  are  of  gi-eat  value  to  the 

Slacc.  The  saw-mill  is  the  largest  in 
orthern  Wisconsin.  There  are,  also, 
iiian.y  large  mills  in  other  parts  of  the 
county. 


Tnp.MPRAT.K.vu  CorxTT.  —There  are 
not  more  than  seventy-llvfl  llioiisand 
acres  of  improved  land  in  this  count.v. 

The  soil  is  (|uile  varied  in  its  character: 
in  some  places,  along  the  river-bottom 
lands,  there  are  patches  where  sund  pro- 
dominates;  but  miii'li  the  greater  porl  ion 
of  tlieso  lands  is  Hiiscoptililu  of  cultiva- 
tion, and  yields  good  crops.  With  this 
exception,  the  soil  is  a  rich  vegetable- 
loam,  iiiiilerlaid  with  a  I'la.v  siilisoil. 
All  tlie  vegetiililes  ami  cereals  common 
to  our  State  are  easily  raised  here. 
Wlitjat,  both  winter  and  spring,  is  largely 
grown,  and  does  well. 

The  surface  of  the  county  is  some- 
what broken.  Along  the  courses  of  the 
rivers  Is  generally  a  strip  of  level  bot- 
tom-land, varying  in  width,  which  usu- 
ally terminates  in  sharp  ridges,  or  blnlTs, 
with  an  undulating  or  rolling  surface  at 
the  siimniit.  Tliese  bluffs  are  composed 
of  Potsdam  sandstone  iU  the  base, 
capped  with  niagnesian  liinestono  ami 
vegotable-loani.  The  saiulstono  Is  usu- 
ally from  two  hundred  to  four  hundred 
and  llfty  feet  thic^k;  while  the  limestone 
is  from  twenty  to  lifty  feet. 

The  county  is  well  watered.  The  Mis- 
sissipiii  forms  a  part  of  its  southern 
lionndary;  and  the  Itia  k,  Iluffalo,  and 
Trempealeau  Itivers,  willi  their  tributa- 
ries, pass  through  different  sections  of 
the  count.v.  Uesides  those,  we  have  the 
Iteaver  and  Tamarack  Creeks,  with 
trout-brooks  and  innumerable  springs 
of  soft  water. 

Most  of  the  streams  ore  lined  with 
belts  of  hard-wood  timber,  consisting 
mainly  of  oak,  maple,  ash,  und  bass- 
\v  v(,d.  On  some  of  the  small  creeks 
tliiire  are  belts  of  tamarack.  The  bal- 
ance of  the  timber  is  principally  white 
and  burr  oak.  In  the  northern  portion 
)f  the  count.v,  the  timber  is  not  abun- 
■'uint:  In  the  southern  anil  western  part, 
tiiero  is  a  good  supply.  The  olimate  is 
dry  and  healthy. 

Vehnom  Cou.NTV.i  —  Vernon  County 
is  sit'iated  in  the  western  part  of  the 
State,  between  the  forty-tiiiril  and  forty- 
fourth  degrees  of  latitude;  its  western 
border,  of  twenty-two  miles,  Uiing  wa- 
tered by  tlio  Mis.sissippi  Itivor.  The  soil 
is  good,  and  covered  with  a  lieav.v 
growth  of  hard-wood  timlier,  such  as  is 
usually  found  in  timliereil  countries. 
The  priMlnct  of  small  giaiii  is  equal,  per 
acre,  to  an.v  part  of  the  State;  and  in 
vegetables  it  excels  the  prairie.  The 
surface  of  the  county  is  rolling,  and  in 
some  places  hilly,  but  all  valuable  for 
timlier  on  such  portions  as  cannot  bo 
cultivated.  It  is  well  watered  by 
springs  and  brooks,  and  well  adapted 
for  grazing-purposes,  for  which  it  will 

•  We  »re  Indebted  to  O.  Vf.  Numm  and 
John  K.  Carson  of  Varoqun  for  tUU  uketcb.— 
U.K.T. 


n  I  STORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


C93 


ncinn  liei'oiiifl  iiofpil.  Liko  nil  fln.liereil 
liind,  il  H  iiaiiinil  fur  i,'ra><'<:  ami.  Iiiiviim 

niMiiiiliiiii'CMif  \val«r,  It  will  himhi  \m in 

tlic!(liilr,vlm.'piif'li"i  "f  iliii  Stale.  WItli 
nil  nliiinilaiii'u  cif  \vaiiM-|Mi\wi' fiiniislii'd 
liviliu  Itniraliiiii  mill  Kirka|)i>i>  l!ivi'r'<, 
niiil  a  .><M|>iM'iiir  i|uullly  of  liiiilii;i'  that 
I'liillil  lie  us(>il  fur  tliu  iiiaiiiifarliiri)  of 
fiiriiitiiru  niid  nuriiiilrirnl  iiiipliMiieiit.^, 
t.  IS  |i"i'*.  of  V('riiou  County  (iffei's  lii- 
,<ii<'>  iiicnlii  ui|iial  to  uiiy  purt  of  the 
Stall!. 

The  roiinly  I'oiitniiiM  live  hiimlreil  ami 
thirty-four  tlioiHniid  and  forty  acres  of 
Inmli  oiiH-tliiril  under  niltivntion.  Of 
the  lialaiit'c.  alioiit  onu-half  in  capable 
of  IhjIiiu  "orki'il. 

Tho  ralsiiii;  of  Htork  lias  liecoiiio  n 
prominent  feature  with  the  liiHliand- 
iiiaii,  produriii);thu  liest  ipialit.v  of  ura-is- 
fed  Ht(i..k  that  lliids  its  way  to  rlio  .Mil- 
waukee or  Clilciiiio  markets.  The  llrst 
atlomptto  raise  fruit  was  altendeil  with 
little  succesM.  Many  were  disheurteiujd, 
and  (jave  up:  otliers  persevered,  and  have 
met  with  Miei'ess.  \Ve  liave  a  few  "  iron 
clad"  varieties  of  pears  that  do  well. 
The  tirstis  the  Haas;  next,  Totofsky  and 
Diuhess  of  OUIeiiliitrfj.  Some  others 
have  proved  valiu^lile.  Of  (jrapos,  the 
Coiii'ord  aud  IJelawaro  have  done 
nohly. 

The  prini'ipal  kinds  of  tiiiilier  are  ma- 
ple, oak,  hasswiitid,  and  elm.  I'lenty  of 
came  and  lish  is  found  in  tho  forests 
and  streams. 

Anion};  the  principal  settlements  Is 
V'liroipiii,  a  tUrlviiii;  village,  nnd  the 
county-seat.  It  has  three  churches,  nnd 
one  union  school  with  threedepartiiients, 
which  is  well  supported,  both  ns  reLjards 
attendance  and  the  interest  manifested 
by  the  inliabitants  I)e  Soto,  Victory, 
and  (ieneva,  on  tho  Mississippi  liiver, 
are  the  principal  markets  for  the  western 
portion  of  the  county,  and  are  also  well 
Biipplied  with  schools  and  churches. 

There  are  about  a  hundred  and  twenty 
Bclioidhoiises  in  the  county,  mostly  of 
wood,  but  some  built  of  stone  or  brick, 
wliii'h  are  very  tine  structures.  The  one 
at  Varofpia  cost  fourteen  thousand  dol- 
lars. The  avera;;e  wastes  paid  to  male 
teiu^hers  is  thirty-live  dollars,  unti  female 
teachers  twenty-live  dollars,  per  month. 

The  population  is  about  <ine-third 
Norwegians,  une-lialf  Americans,  and 
the  balance  German.  The  county  is  in- 
creasing fast  in  wealth  and  population. 
It  is  estimated  that  two  iiiilliou  bushels 
of  wheat  were  raised  in  the  county  in 
187;i. 

Walwohtii  Countv.  —  The  soil  of  this 
county  consists  of  a  clay  aud  black  loam, 
moat  of  it  of  an  excellent  quality.  The 
prairie-soil  of  this  county  is  oijual  in 
fertility  to  any  in  the  North-west.  The 
county  contains  144,(!40  acres  of  land,  all 
owned  by  actual  settlers,  and  about 
tUree-fuurthH   uf   it  under  cultivation. 


Torn 

ciiiiiity,  llierii  lia-i  been  out  litllo  cliaime 
ill  tliM  past  leu  yours  Wliciit.  corn,  and 
oats  continue  io  be  the  Iciiilim^  crops. 
Ili'ooiii-corn  Is  rai-icd  to  a  far  greater  ex- 
tent than  foriiiiTlv.  Not  less  than  live 
liundred  tons  of  )inisli  were  raised  in 
IS7II.  Hops  have  been  riii<ed  toacmi- 
siileralile  e.\tent  diuiiw  tlie  past  three 
years.  No  new  varieties  of  urain  have 
come  into  popuhii  lii\ 'II  in  the  past  ten 
years,  tlioiii'h  a  consiilenible  enort  has 
been  made  by  iiilerested  parlies  to  intro- 
iliice  llie  Norway  or  Kamsdale  oat,  at 
fabulous  price*;  but  the  only  prollt  se- 
ciii(!il,  .so  far,  has  been  baKKed  by  the 
parties  si'lliii);  the  seed. 

In  the  maniifacturiiit;  Industries,  there 
has  been  a  marked  im|irovement  witliiii 
the  past  decade.  Ten  years  aLto  the 
maiiufai'tures  of  the  cuiiniy  were  limited 
to  u  few  agricultural  iiiiplemenis,  and 
Hour,  wilh  a  small  aiiiiiiint  of  liiiiilier 
sawn  from  the  trees  of  our  native  for- 
ests. In  IS'il  the  iiiannfactories  turned 
oiitartichM  of  coiisiilerable  over  a  mil- 
lion dollars  ill  value.  e.\eliisive  of  Hour 
and  feeil.  The  past  decade  Inn  wit- 
nessed a  very  Kieatimpiovemen  tin  farm- 
lmililiii^;s  nml  farin-iiiiin'ovements  gen- 
erally. The  old  liiu-hoiises  have  nearly 
all  disappeared,  and  wilh  them  have 
(ioiie  the  unsijilitly  straw-covered  stables 
and  );ranaries. 

A  marked  improvement  is  noticeable 
in  frnif-niisini,'.  The  orchards  have  not 
only  ureal ly  increased  in  nunilier  nnd 
extent,  but  have  improved  in  thrift  and 
general  appearance.  The  small  fruits 
are  also  rai-ied  in  vastly  (jreatx-r  (luaiiti- 
lies.  All  hardy  varieties  of  ocrries 
prove  productive  nnd  prolltable.  drapes 
are  also  rai.sed  ton  coiisideralile  extent. 
In  public  liitildiii<;s  tlie.e  has  been  a  de- 
cided improvement  iliiriii<{  the  |>ast  dec- 
a<le»especially  in  schoiil-biiildiiiiis. 

lIoK-rai^incand  pork-making;  have  in- 
creased in  a  marked  deiirce,  aud,  for  the 
past  ten  years,  have  niven  the  farmers 
the  fairest  sum  of  net  prolit  of  any 
branch  of  industries.  In  tliis  braucli  of 
industry,  there  is  the  most  radical  and 
noticeable  change.  I'p  to  IKiid,  a  very 
larKe  per  cent  of  po!k  raised  in  the 
county  was  slanijliteicd  on  the  farm; 
now  but  a  very  small  per  cent,  it  btin;; 
mostly  sold  on  foot,  and  takeu  to  the 
cities  for  slaiiKliter. 

Geneva  i.nke,  ten  miles  long  and  three 
wide,  Delavan  r..akc,  Laiidenlale  Lake, 
Silver  Lake,  aud  olbers  in  the  county, 
are  beautiful  bodies  of  water,  and,  to- 
Kellier  with  the  nuiiierous  creeks  and 
streams,  nfTord  an  abundance  of  deli- 
cious lish.  Whitewater  is  tlio  lar;,'esD 
vilhise  in  the  county,  and  has  iiiniiy 
lar};e  manufacturing;  establishiiienls, 
ainoiiK  which  iiiiiy  be  mentioneil  Kstei- 
ly's  reaiier  and  seeder  shops,  and  Win- 
uliester's  wagou-sliops,  both  of  which  do 


C'Ji 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


a  very  lari;e  l)iisiiiess,  aiiil  niM  very 
iiiiicli  Id  the  prosperity  of  tlie  villiiite. 

At  Deliiviin  is  loiated  tlie  Dt'iif  ami 
DiUTili  Asyluiii  (if  tlie  Stiite.  Klliliiprii 
is  llic  cuiiiity-seiit  iif  the  loiiiity;  and 
liiilli  of  these  are  1)eautiful  ami  thriving 
villages. 

'I  \:".  Milwaukee  and  St.  I'aul  Railroail 
runs  thi  in;;li  the  mjithcru  pan  of  the 
•■iiuiily,  til!  Western  I'liimi  tliniuiih  the 
•eiitral;  and  the  Ciiii'aKu  and  I.,ake  Su- 
))t:icir  Air  lint,  and  oi'ier  lines,  are  in 
l)ii)spe(;t. 

Tlie  selioiils  tlir(iu;.dioitt  the  county 
are  ill  excellent  ciinilitiun,  the  climate 
.siiliihriinis  and  heallhy,  and  the  people 
■generally  intelligent  and  thrifty. 

Wliilficdtcr  is  n  tlonrishiii^'  village, 
situated  on  the  Milwaukee  ami  !st.  I'aul 
Itailioail,  iii^the  north-western  part  of 
'Walworth  County,  and  alioiit  lialt-wa.\ 
lietween  Madison  and  Milwaukee.  It 
is  surrounded  liy  a  rich  ai;riciiltural  dis- 
trict, and  has  an  excelhuit  Imsiness  for 
its  superior  faciliti(w  for  s!iippiii'.i  srain 
and  proiliice.  .Mannfactiiriuit  h.v  watek"- 
power,  one  of  the  most  important  essen- 
tials to  its  pi'o.perity.  is  carried  on  ex- 
tensively; liiere  heiii;;a  larf;(!  paper-mill 
ill  successful  operaiiiin.  and  several 
tlouriii'j;  iiiilU.  Two  of  tlii^  important 
institutions  here  are  Ksierly's  Iteaper 
Fai'tory,  and  the  e^ialilislnuent  of  Wiu- 
chestc'i',  l'iinrid'..;e.  &  Compan.v,  nianu- 
facturers  of  liiinlier-wairons,  ploujjhs, 
road-scrapers,  thiinlile-skeiiis,  A'c  ;  and 
the  siijierior  ipiality  of  their  worknian- 
sliip  is  such,  that  a  ready  .sale  is  pro- 
nioKMl  throiijihout  the  .State.  The  Stale 
No^'iiial  Si'hool  is  one  of  the?  finest  speci- 
iiieus  of  architei'tiire  in  Snuthern  Wis- 
consin: is  located  ill  ihe  suhiirhs,  upon  a 
siiililly  elevation;  ami  the  ellicient  corps 
of  teacliers,  ami  the  extraordinary  suc- 
cess atteiidin;,'  its  iiiana^ement.  speak 
fiu'  it  a  hijjii  ile;;i'eo  of  iiopiilarity  and 
usefulness. 

I'opiilalion,  t«T,5,  4,.'!!i,i. 

AV.vsii'NdTov  CoiNTV.'  —  WashlnKfon 
County  contains  twelve  towns  dps,  and 
is  iweiity-fiuir  miles  loiiy  from  i  ortli  to 
South,  and  eighteen  iiiIUm  wide  Tlie 
Hcucral  lopoiriaphy  of  the  county  is  roll- 
ing:. Tile  soil  is  clay,  mixed  willi  a  saiid- 
loani.  There  are  i;7li.4H(l  acres  of  land 
ill  the  counly :  about  live-ei],ditlis  of  this 
anionnt  is  under  cultivation.  All  laiiils 
of  the  counly  are  in  possession  of  actual 
sell  lets,  and  worth,  on  an  averajze, 
twciiiy-ei:;ht  dollars  per  acre.  The  fa- 
cililies  for  water-powers  are  average. 
'J'lic  Milwauki*  Itiver,  ami  the  Ceilar 
and  Uiiliiciin  (yi-eeks,  wilh  their  trihnta- 
rie-i.  fiiniisli  ah'indant  water  for  H'-ne- 
ral  pnr|ioses. 

Tliere  are  several  water-powers  at 
Vi'uAt  Uend,  lUrton,  and  Cedar  Creek, 


yet  undeveloped,  which  will  afford  e.v- 
eellent  s'tes  for  factories  and  mills. 

Iron  ore  has  heeii  discovered  in  Hart- 
ford, hut  undeveloped.  It  is  of  the 
^aiiie  (jnality  as  that  at  Iron  Itidije, 
which  will  eventual  y  he  of  (jrent  heno- 
tit  to  the  industrial  interests  of  the 
county  and  State.  The  prevailing  tiin- 
her  is  oak,  maple,  hasswood,  lieecli,  elm, 
cS:c.  llrickyards  are  carried  on;  but  the 
brick  are  not  of  the  lirst  rpiality.  In 
the  sontli-eiHt  part  of  the  county,  there 
is  a  ipiarry  of  jine  linildiii<;-stone.  Sev- 
eral streams  travei-se  the  countv.  The 
Milwaukee  and  La  Cros.se  llailroad 
passes  throiiiih  the  counly.  Kiitiire 
railroad  facilities  are  only  prospective. 
The  county  is  strictly  auricidtural. 
Jloro  than  nine-tenths  of  tlie  inhahit- 
ants  follow  ajjricnltural  imrsuits. 

The  climate  and  water  are  e.xcellent; 
and,  taken  all  in  all,  it  is  a  j^ood  county 
to  live  in. 

West  liend,  the  county-seat,  lias  five 
cliiir  .lies  and  tlve  schools;  Barton,  two 
churches  and  two  schools;  Kewaskiiin, 
two  I'liiirches  amlseveral  schoids;  Hart- 
ford, fiuir  la'  live  churches  and  several 
schools;  and  Scldeisinj:erville,  two 
churches  ami  several  schools.  The 
schools  throiifihoiit  the  county  are  well 
supported.  Teachers  receive  from 
twenty-live  to  sixty  dollars  jier  month. 
The  f.'reat  majority  of  the  inliabilants 
arederiiians;  but,  in  the  south-west  cor- 
ner of  the  ciaiuty,  Irish  are  well  repre- 
seiilcd. 

Waikksiia  (.'orNTV  '  — The  county  is 
situated  directly  west  of  Milwaukee; 
and  its  averiiiie  distance  is  less  than 
twenty -liv<!  miles  from  the  cily.  its 
nearest  heini;  eiy;lit  milei.  The  surfaio 
of  the  county  is  rolliiii;.  The  soil  is 
various,  bill  mostly  loam  and  clay. 
County  contains  lUIS.d-Hl  acres  of  land, 
more  than  one  half  bciiiu  under  culti- 
vation. Of  the  balance,  threo-foiirlhs 
are  cap.able  of  inipidvement. 

Neither  (hivernment  nor  State  now 
holdsauy  land  in  tlKMnunty.  There  are 
several  piod  water-powers  in  the  county, 
mostly  improveil.  No  mineral  dejiosits 
have  bei'ii  discovered;  but  ipiarries  of 
stone  abound  of  tlie  liiiest  i|nallty. 
Ijiiiie  enters  largely  as  commerce  of 
several  towns,  especially  Waukesha, 
I'awankee,  mid  Menomoiieo. 

The  county  is  well  watered  ivitli 
sprinsfs,  ireeks,  and  rivi'rs;  none  iiavi- 
','aiile.  A  mineral  spring  lias  recently 
oeen  <liscovered  at  Waukesha,  named 
Melhesila.  It  is  said  to  have  cured  sev- 
eral idironic  cases,  and  is  becomiin; 
somewhat  celebrated  for  its  curative 
liroperlies.  .Milwaukee  and  .St.  Taiil, 
and  Milwaukee  and  iVlississippi,  JJail- 
roiids    run    tlirim;,'h   the   eonnty.    The 


•  Wo  are  InilcMeil  in  1''.  .\.  Nell  niul  .Iiwopli 
Oil  u(  WlsI  Ui^iiil  tur  thia  Bketeh.  —  C.  U.  T. 


>  W<!  nil!  inilctileil  to  .I.ilin  E.  Soabolil  of 
Wiuikeulm  for  this  Bkutfli.  —  (J.  K.  T. 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


C9o 


ediionfinnal  interests  of  the  county  nre 
Hi-nerallv'  snsfiiiiieil,  anil  its  common 
scIkioIh  (irn  woll  (■■jnitucted. 

Tlie  prevailint;  timber  is  wliite  nnd 
reil  oiik,  majjlo,  tjasswood,  asli,  elm,  anil 
some  cherry  and  black-walnut. 

Tlierii  is  some  brick-clay  liiscovered  in 
the  county,  but  not  yet  much  used. 
Potter's  clay,  in  considerable  quantities, 
is  found  in  the  towns  of  Merton,  Menom- 
onee,  and  Lisbon,  and  in  the  latter  place 
used  by  iiotters. 

Tlie  principal  source  of  industry  of 
the  county  is  fannlnj;;  but,  of  late,  stock- 
raising;  lias  also  been  extensively  entered 
into.  Sheep  are  found  in  Kreat  abun- 
dance; anil  wool  comnuinds  a  );oiid  price 
in  Waukeslia  villai;e,  which  is  quite  a 
prominent  wool-market,  and  has  a  larKO 
wooUen-f.oi^tory  in  constant  operation. 
This  fiu'tor.v  employs  a  lari;n  number  of 
hands  of  both  sexes;  and  its  manufac- 
tures, especially  its  sliawls,  have  be- 
come quite  celebrated.  Larire  additions 
have  lately  been  nuide  to  l)uildin;;s  and 
machinery,  and  facilities  for  business 
increased. 

Waupacca  County.  —  In  the  north- 
west part  of  this  county  are  many  blulTs 
and  hills.  The  .soil  there  is,  in  many 
places,  rather  stony,  hard  of  cultivatiou, 
aud  not  as  fertile  as  in  the  valley.s. 

In  the  rest  of  the  county,  the"  surface 
is  (leneiallv  level,  or  jjently  undulating, 
c.tpable  of  beinn  easily  cultivated,  and 
producinf;  all  kinds  of  crops  and  fruits 
adapted  to  a  northern  latitude. 

The  eastern  and  north-eastern  part  is 
heavily  timbered,  cousislinj;  of  oak, 
ina]ilo,  birch,  ash,  cherrv,  hickory,  but- 
ternut, elm,  basswood,  ironwood.  poplar, 
tamarack,  pine,  aud,  in  a  few  places, 
hendoi'k.  In  the  northern  part  is  much 
Valuable  pine,  which  linds  a  way  down 
the  Wolf  IJiver  to  a  steady  market. 
Durinj;  the  season  when  the  lous  are 
'"driven,"  the  river  is  often  completely 
blocked  with  lofjs,  forminj;  "Jams,"  i'u 
many  instances,  for  miles;  thus  com- 
pletely stopping  the  pa.ssiuj;  of  .stoam- 
ooats  for  days,  and  sometimes  for 
weeks. 

The  principal  crops  raised  are  wheat. 
Winter  and  spring  wheat  are  botli  raised, 
and  do  well;  as  do  corn,  barley,  oats, 
rye.  bui'kwheat,  peas  and  beans,  pota- 
toes, &c. 

The  ra'  .lUR  of  stock  jia.vs  well;  and 
intich  'lat  is  excellent  is  beiiiR  intro- 
dncL,!.  Many  parts  of  the  ci>unt,y  ap- 
pear to  l.e  peculiarly  ailapted  to  the 
raising  of  sheep;  and  some  ({ood  blood 
is  Immiij;  imported.  In  1.S7(I  the  wool- 
crop  of  our  county  was  ;(:),:!hl  pounds. 
The  Ion;;  \,'iiol,  or  "mutton  varieties," 
appear  to  be  the  most  popular.  .Sheep 
are  remarkably  healthy  here,  and  neiier- 
ally  fat. 

Our  coiint.v  has  no  lack  of  e.xcellent 
water-powors.    In  the  north  aud  north- 


east part  of  the  county  are  the  Little 
Wolf,  Embarras,  and  I'iu'con  Kivers, 
and  in  the  south  and  west  are  the 
Waupivca,  I'earl,  and  Little  Kivers,  — 
all  excellent,  aud  capable  of  much  iiu- 
provement. 

The  Waupacca  Woollen-Mills  are  lo- 
cated on  the  Waupacca  River,  at  Wau- 
pacca, the  county  -  seat,  and  turn  out 
much  excellent  cloth. 

Several  brickyards  have  been  started 
at  Waupacca,  Wey an wego,  Fremont, 
and  perhaps  one  or  two  other  phwes, 
where  excellent  brick  are  being  manu- 
factured. 

A  potterv  has  been  running  for  some 
time  at  WoyaiiweKo,  where  excellent 
liKht  -  colored  crockery-waro  is  being 
made. 

A  bed  of  the  same  kind  of  clay  ha.s 
been  found  at  Fremont,  and  only  awaits 
"skill  and  enterprise  to  bring  it  out." 

The  Wolf  traverses  the  easterit  i)art  of 
the  county,  and  is  u.avigable  for  .steam- 
lioats  during  all  stages  of  the  water. 
A  large  and  profitable  amount  of  boat- 
ing has  licen  done  for  luanv  years. 

Small  lakes  abound  in  different  parts 
of  the  county,  whose  clear,  pure  waters 
are  well  stocked  with  fish.  The  pike, 
pickerel,  black-and-white  or  silver  bass, 
pi'ivli,  catlish,  sturgeon,  &c.,  abound  in 
our  lakes  and  streams,  and  are  caught 
b.v  our  wil.v  anglers  in  great  profusion. 

The  railroad-facilities  are  good.  The 
Central  Wisconsin  enters  the  county 
near  the  south-east  corner,  and  passe.s 
through  in  a  north-westiuly  direction 
towards  Lake  Superior.  Thetiicen  Hay 
ami  Lake  I'epin  Koad  passes  through 
the  north  part  of  the  county,  crossing 
the  Wnlf  Uivcrat  New  London.  Other 
roads  are  In  i'ontenii)lation. 

Soin(>  towns  in  the  county  are  settled 
mainly  by  emigrants  from  the  .Middle 
aud  Kastern  States.  A  few  have  a  largo 
iMopintion  from  fiermanv,  Denmark, 
Niirway,  and  other  parts  of  Kiirope. 
Sober,  intelligent,  industrious,  and  en- 
terprising as  the  inajoritv  of  them  are, 
it  is  no  wonder  lliat  ourcouuty  is  ,so  fast 
improving  in  wealth  and  real  inosperi- 
ty,  and  already  ranks  among  the  lead- 
ing counties  of  Northern  Wisconsin. 

Free  schools  are  found  in  ever.v  neigh- 
borhood, where  the  children  of  the  poor 
en.joy  all  the  advantages  of  a  lilieral  edu- 
cation with  tlie  .sons  aud  daughters  of 
the  wcalthv.  Tlie  school-code  is  one  of 
the  best  in  the  world. 

WAirsiiAiiA  CoiNTV.  —  Waushara 
Coiintv  comprises  eighteen  townships, 
and  is  in  the  sbaiie  of  a  parallelogram, 
being  eighteen  irdles  wiile  anil  thirty-six 
miles  lung.  tJeneral  tupogranhv  of  the 
county  is  level;  some  bluff'*  in  the  north- 
ern and  central  towns;  swampy  at  mouth 
of  I'iiie  Uiver  and  Willow  Cicck.  The 
three  eastern  towns  nre  heavil.v  tim- 
bered, with  the  exception  of  some  quite 


606 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


large  tracts  of  marsh.  These  marshes  | 
are  valuable  for  the  cultivation  of  cran- 
berries. The  soil  in  the  timber  portions 
of  the  county  is  of  a  cla^'-loani;  on  the 
prairie,  black  loam ;  and,  m  the  opeuings, 
sandy.  County  contains  207,3fl()  acres  of 
land;  one-terth  being  under  cultivation. 

The  county  is  well  watered  by  Pine 
River  and  Willow  Creek,  both  pood  mili- 
streams,  on  which  are  several  saw  and 
prist  mills.  In  addition  to  these  streams, 
almost  every  farmer  has  what  he  calls 
a  fountain,  or  flowing  well,  the  water 
never  freezing  in  the  coldest  weather  in 
winter,  and  always  sufficient  to  supply 
any  amount  of  stock.  The  forests  of 
the  county  contain  all  varieties  of  tim- 
ber, such  as  are  found  in  North  America. 
They  have  large  beds  of  clay,  that  make 
cream-colored  brick,  and,  with  the  facil- 
ities for  i)ian>ifacturinp,  would  be  equal 
to  any  manufactured  in  the  State;  also 
potter's-clay  of  excellent  qnality,  which 
makes  superior  stone-ware. 

Of  the  principal  rivers  and  streams. 
Fox  Kiver  on  the  south,  Wolf  River  and 
Lake  I'oygan  on  the  east,  are  navigable, 
line  River,  Willow  Creek,  and  Mec^an 
River  are  larger  streams,  and  stocked 
with  lisli.  Small  game  is  abundant. 
Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railroad,  at 
Berlin,  is  half  a  mile  from  the  south  line 
of  the  county,  and  will  be  extended 
through  it.  The  Wisconsin  Central 
passes  four  miles  north;  and  a  road 
from  Prim;eton  to  Stevens  Point  will 
be  built  from  Herlin  to  Weyuawego, 
through  the  three  eastern  towns,  con- 
necting the  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul 
with  the  Wisconsin  Central  Railway. 

The  principid  industry  of  the  town  is 
agricultural;  wheat,  rye, corn,  oats,  and 
potatoes  being  raised  to  perfection.  A 
large  amount  of  hay  is  also  raised.  There 
are  seven  custom  tlouring-mills,  ten  or 
more  saw-mills,  and  three  canling-ma- 
chiues  In  the  county.  All  these  would 
be  well  sustained. 

WiNNEDAao  CouNTr.  —  Concerning 
this  county,  J.  H.  Harris  of  Oshkosh 
writes  as  follows,  "The  tonography  of 
the  county  is  rolling,  not  hilly,  with  no 
swamp-laud  to  speak  of.  There  is  some 
marsh-laud  on  the  borders  of  Lake  Butte 
des  Morts  and  the  Fox  River,  probably 
not  exceeding  five  hundred  acres  in  the 
whole  county;  and  that  is  considered 
worth  about  one-third  as  much  ns  up- 
land, for  the  excellent  quality  of  hay  it 
produces. 

"  There  are  in  this  county  'Jfi8,5'J'_'  acres 
of  land,  of  wliich  three-fourths  are  un- 
der cultivation;  the  exception  being  in 
wood -hits,  pasture -grounds,  ond  the 
marsh  aliove  spoken  of.  The  whole  of 
this  land  is  capable  of  cultivaliou  when 
wanted,  except  the  nuirsh.  The  land  of 
the  county  is  mostly  all  owned  l)v  actual 
settlers.  The  valim  of  iiiiproveii  land  is 
Ci'um  thirty-live  tu  lifty  dollars  per  acre. 


"  The  Lower  Fox  River  at  Keenah  and 
Menosha,  at  the  outlet  of  Lake  Winne- 
bago, affords  the  best  of  water-power, 
and  19  capable  of  being  improved  to  a 
large  extent. 

"There  are  no  minerals  in  the  county, 
except  a  small  tract  of  pure  silicon  or 
white  glass  sand,  which  is  capable  of 
extensive  operations  in  the  manufacture 
of  glass,  but  not  yet  improved. 

"The  timber  of  the  county  is  mostly 
red,  white,  and  black  oak,  "'..ith  small 
tracts  of  land  in  all  parts  of  the  coiint.v, 
on  which  basswood,  hickory,  ash,  and 
elm  prevail. 

"The  railroad-facilities  of  the  count.v 
are  the  Chicago  and  North-western,  the 
Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul,  the  Oshkosh 
and  Mississippi;  and  through  a  small 
part  of  the  county,  on  the  north,  is  the 
Wisconsin  Central,  with  a  northern  ex- 
tension connecting  at  this  place,  in  pros- 
pect. 

"The  sources  of  industr.v  are  agricul- 
ture, maniifivcturing,  and  lumbering. 
The  principal  crops  raised  are  wheat 
com,  oats,  and  potatoes." 

Oshkosh  is  the  principal  ctt.y;  and,  be- 
fore tlie  destructive  lire  which  swept 
over  the  city  in  the  summer  of  1874,  it 
was  one  of  the  handsomest  ami  most 
prosperous  cities  in  Wisconsin.  Al- 
though the  fire  destroyed  much  of  its 
lieauty  and  wealth,  it  is  still  one  of  tlie 
leatling  cities  of  the  State.  Menasha, 
Neenah,  Omro,  and  Wiunecouna  are 
thriving  towns. 

Oshkosh,  the  county-seat  of  Wimiobago 
County,  is  situated  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Upper  Fox  River,  and  on  the  western 
shore  of  T^ke  Winnebago,  a  magiiilicent 
sheetof  water,  thirty-five  miles  iu  length, 
and  ten  to  twelve  miles  in  wiiUli.  Tlie 
river,  from  the  mouth  up  to  Lake  Butte 
des  Morts,  has  an  average  width  of  about 
one-eighth  of  a  mile,  and  is  from  twenty 
to  thirt.v  feet  in  depth,  forniliig  a  harbor 
(if  spacious  dimensions.  The  ciu-rent  of 
the  river  is  vei-.y  slow,  and  subject  to  im 
freshets;  consequontl.v  the  liarl)or  for 
logs,  thuber,  steamers,  barges,  &o.,  is 
ample,  and  safe  beyond  all  contingon- 
cies.  The  situation  of  the  city  is  one  of 
much  natural  beauty;  beingon  a  slight- 
ly elevated  plateau,  which  grailually 
rises  from  the  shores  of  tlio  river  and 
lake.  Its  mnin  business-street  is  one  of 
the  handsomest  in  the  State,  is  paved 
with  tlio  Nicholson  pavement,  and  is 
largely  composed  o'  fine  brick  struc- 
tures. Man.v  of  its  otlier  streets  are 
very  attractive  with  elegant  jirivato 
resi(!pnre:;,  several  of  them  of  jialatial 
dimensions,  and  of  much  beauty  of 
finish  and  design. 

In  many  localities,  the  native  forest- 
trees  have  l)een  preserved.  Tliese  beau- 
tiful oaks  aild  much  to  the  handsome 
appennmce  of  Algoma  Street,  which  U 
well  built  up  for  a  distance  of  two  mile*. 


BISTORi'  OF   WISCONSIN. 


697 


The  high  -  Ri'liool  hiiilclinj;  just  erecteil, 
at  a  cost  of  sixty  tlioiisaiid  dollars,  is  a 
luajriiiliceiit  brick-structure,  of  elefiant 
architectural  proportions.  The  court- 
liouse  is  also  a  spleiuliil  massive  brick 
buiUling,  aud  is  a  credit  to  the  city  ami 
county.  AmonK  the  luany  chunli-edi- 
(ices  are  several  tine  structures. 

The  lake-shore  locality  of  this  city  is 
one  of  tlio  most  deliiihrful  and  desiralile 
sites  for  private  residences.  From  the 
mouth  <if  the  river,  north,  the  shore  is  a 
beautiful  one,  slopiuj;  gradually  to  the 
water,  and  terminating  in  a  ttravelly 
Iwai'li.  The  broad  waters  of  Lake  Wiii- 
neliago  stretching  away  in  the  dim  dis- 
tance; tlie  handsome  points  and  bay.s, 
and  the  high  lands  of  Calumet  County 
on  the  opposite  shore,  forming  a  scene 
of  natural  beauty  that  is  seldom 
eijualled. 

It  is  one  of  'he  most  important  towns 
in  the  north-eastern  i)art  of  the  State, 
au<l  has  );ad  an  unparalleled  growth. 
The  city,  I'lowever,  has  suffereil  severe- 
ly by  lire;  and  the  business-portion  of 
the  city  ha"  fre(iuently  been  in  ruins; 
and  the  one  of  April  2W,  1K75,  was  very 
disastrous.  The  enterprise  of  tlie  people 
is  shown  in  the  rapidity  with  which  it 
has  been  rebuilt,  an<l  a  better  class  of 
buildings  erected.  The  city  had,  u  few 
years  since,  seventeen  saw -mills,  six 
shingle-inill.<,  three  planing-mills,  tour 
breweries,  three  printiug-ofHces,  eleven 
clmrches,  and  a  large  numl)er  of  stores 
and  mechanical  shops.  Not  having  any 
statistics  cf  tlie  city  since  the  tire,  we 
caniiot  give  an  account  of  them.  Few 
cities  have  letter  advantages  tor  growth 
and  prosj  «rity  than  Oshkosh;  and  with 
thi  i'esou.ic<of  the  water-power  of  the 
II'  <•;-.  ;'.id  itsrailroad-fa<'ilities  with 
'.  .iu  .t'e  (tud  Chicago  on  the  south. 


V  on  the  north,  it  cannot 

i!0  moat  important  of  the 

M.usin       The   lumbering- 

ii"i   city  is   a   prominent 


»<;-.  '-.ti',' 
I  U  ■  -  ,..■ 
c.'fie^  i  . 
biisine.ss 
one. 

Pop-tlation,  ISTi),  17,015. 

Mcnitahd,  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the 
north  branch  of  the  B"ox  River,  and  the 
village  of  Necnali  on  the  south  branch; 
the  limits  of  the  tw  liages  joimug  on 
tho  sectional  line  riiiuung  through  the 
centre  of  Doty's  Island.  The  two  vil- 
lages really  constitute  a  community  of 
one  common  interest  in  general  nmtters. 
The  watcr-powerat  these  points  is  great, 
and  is  put  to  use  in  the  large  number  of 
manufactories  that  are  located  on  the 
freams.     A  few  years  since,  there  wcie 

■  teen  flouring-mills,  with  forty-live  run 
.it  stone.  The  manufacture  of  spokes, 
'llei!-gi-n(ii.,  chairs,  and  paper,  is 
1  .  Iv.  >.rri»>d  on.  Both  of  these  places 
iiavo  lino  blocks  of  cream-colored  brick, 
e.\celleiit  hotels,  schools,  some  fifteen 
churches,  and  all  varieties  of  trades  and 
uuuupatious, 


The  population  of  Menasha  and  Nee- 
nah,  in  lH7i5,  wa.s  7,'.il.'i. 

Wood  Countv.  —  Wood  County  is  sit- 
uated nearly  in  the  geograidiical  centre 
of  the  State.  About  two-i  birds  of  the 
area  of  the  county  is  rolling;  the  re- 
maining one-third  is  tiat  and  swampy. 

The  .soil  of  tho  central  iunl  northern 
portion  is  a  rich  loam,  cmitaioing  a  mix- 
ture of  clay,  sanil,  and  vegetable-mould. 
The  soil  of  the  soutlioru  and  eastern 
sections  is  lighter,  containing  more  sand. 
In  the  south-western  portion  are  exten- 
sive marshes  and  mea<lows,  peculiarly 
adapted  to  the  culture  of  cranberries 
aud  stock-raising.  The  county  contains 
five  hundreil  and  thirty  thousand  acres 
of  land,  of  which  only  about  thirty 
thousaml  acres  are  under  I'ultivation. 
Two-thirds  of  the  balance  are  capable  of 
being  improved. 

About  two-thirds  of  the  surface  of  the 
county  is  a  vast,  hcavily-timbere<l  for- 
est of  white-pine,  white  and  red  oak, 
whue  and  black  ash,  maple,  hemlock, 
and  butternut. 

Good  clay  forthe  nmnufactureof  brick 
i.'  found  in  all  localities  of  tho  <i)nnty. 

The  water-powers  on  the  Wiscimsin 
Piver,  in  the  eastern  portion  of  thecoun- 
ty,  of  Grand  Kapi(ls,  Centralia,  I'ort 
E<lwards,  and  Point  llausse,  are  ileemed 
equal  to  any  in  .he  co'iutry,  not  except- 
ing the  Falls  of  &t.  Anthony,  or  the 
rapids  of  the  Lower  Fox.  They  consist 
of  a  series  of  rapids  about  twelve  miles 
in  extent,  falling,  in  the  aggregate,  nearly 
a  hundred  feet,  and  furnishing  a  con- 
tinuous chain  of  water-powers  on  both 
sides  of  the  river,  of  almost  unlimited 
capacity. 

The  river  can  be  improved  at  a  trifling 
expense:  in  fact,  it  is  already  titled  by 
the  hand  of  Nature  for  extensive  u^e;  it 
beirg  divided  by  islands  into  several 
channels,  as  it  were  natural  canals,  upon 
which  mills  can  be  erected  and  operated 
at  very  little  cost  for  dams  or  other  im- 
provements. 

At  present,  there  are  situated  upon 
these  water-powers  live  saw-mills,  hav- 
ing a  capacity  for  cutting  fifty  million 
feet  of  lumber  |)er  annum,  a  tlouring- 
mill,  a  foundery  and  maihiue  shop,  a 
planing-mill,  anil  several  shingle-mills; 
aud  these  witliont  the  digging  of  canals, 
cutting  of  channels,  or  other  expensive 
improvements. 

There  are  also  many  smaller  water- 
powers  in  the  county,  situated  upon 
Slill  Creek,  Hemlock  Creek,  and  i'ellow 
Kiver. 

Lands  in  this  county  are  very  <'heap. 
Many  of  them  were  bought  up  years  ago 
for  small  patches  of  pine  that  were  on 
them,  and  have  since  been  sold  for  taxes 
to  the  county.  The  ciuiuty  is  now  pre- 
pared to  give  a  good  title  to  many  o( 
them,  and  will  sell  theiii  oa  very  favorer 
ble  terms  to  actual  settlers. 


CHAPTER  XLVII. 
Wisconsin's  ■women. 

Short  Bio^aphical  Sketches  of  the  Pioneer  and  Prominent  Women  of  Wisconsin. 

We  give,  following,  a  short  chapter  on  the  leading  women  of  Wisconsin  of 
the  past  anil  the  present.  The  moans  within  owr  reach  for  procuring  the  proper 
data  for  these  sketches  was  not  calculated  to  insure  complete  success  in  every 
Instance:  indeed,  in  many  cases  we  were  wholly  unable  to  procure  the  desired 
information.  Many  causes  united  against  the  progress  of  this  cliapter.  In  the 
first  place,  a  number  of  the  subjects  most  desired  had  passed  away,  leaving  no 
records  Ixihind  them,  save  those  lodged  in  the  memories  of  scattered  friends. 
These  were  often  incomplete,  and  always  difficult  to  reach.  Nor  were  we  in  any 
better  condition  with  regard  to  those  now  living.  Most  of  the  latter  were 
shocked  with  the  idea  of  havitig  any  portion  of  their  lives  preserved  in  history. 
Owing  to  these  and  other  difficulties,  we  arc  \inable  to  present  any  thing  like  a 
complete  biographical  dictionary  of  the  prominent  women  of  the  State,  How- 
ever, the  result  of  our  labors  in  this  direction  will,  we  think,  be  full  of  interest 
to  every  reader.  We  are  indebted  to  the  good  taste  and  great  perscvenince  of 
Miss  L.  De  V.  Park  of  Madison,  for  most  of  these  sketches.  (She  lias  collected 
all  of  the  materials  for  this  chapter,  and  finislied  for  the  press  many  of  tho 
sketches.  The  trace  of  her  graceful  pen  is  visible  In  the  sketches  of  Mrs. 
Harvey,  Mrs.  Doty,  and  many  others. 


Miss.  Sally  FAiRcnii.n. — She  was 
born  at  lilandford,  Mass.,  Juno  11, 
1802.  Ill  the  bloom  of  young  woman- 
hood, while  visit in-j;  friends  near  what 
Is  now  the  city  of  Cleveland,  C,  she 
became  acciuainted  with  C(d,  J.  C. 
Fairchild;  and  they  were  married  on 
the  4th  of  April,  18l'0.  The  first 
twenty  years  of  their  married  life  were 
spent  in  or  near  {'Icvcland:  but  on  tho 
eighth  (lny  of  June,  184(5,  they  estab- 
lished for  ilnnnselves  a  new  liome  in 
Madison,  willi  whose  history  their  own 
was  thenceforth  honorably  idoiitiricd. 
When  they  took  up  their  residence  in 
Madison,  they  left  behind  them  in 
Ohio  th<^  grave  of  their  liist-born,  who 
had  (lied  in  infancy,  but  were  accniii- 
lianieil  hither  by  all  the  remaining  chil- 
(i<J8 


dren, — the  only  daughter,  Mrs.  Sar.ali 
V.  Dean,  and  the  lliree  sons,  all  of 
whom  have  since  won  di-tiiu'tion  In  the 
service  of  the  eoiintiy.  Of  that  family, 
after  tli(!  death  of  tbu  father  (in  .hilv. 
18(il'),  Mrs.  Fairchild  was  tlie  revered 
head,  whose  presence  seemi'il  at  once 
its  bond  of  niiioii  and  its  crown  of 
honor;  for  .she  was  in  a  ]ire-eiiiinent 
degree  one  of  those  whom  we  delight 
to  lioiior,  and  of  wlioni  it  may  be  said, 
'•  Iler  ehililri'ii  ri>c  up,  and  call  her 
bll's^ed."  And  how  many  are  the  men 
and  women  whom  her  large-bearled 
and  unwearied  hospiialily  biive  made 
to  look  upon  ber  home  almost  as  their 
own,  wlio  will,  at  the  mcntiin  of  lier 
name,  ilo  her  memory  an  almost  filial 
homage  1 


niJTORY  OF   WlSCOXSfN. 


cm 


In  any  community,  Mrs.  Fairchild 
wniild  liiive  been  looked  upon  as  a  re- 
inai'Ualile  person.  Tliero  was  in  Iior  a 
niinsjieil  di.^nlfy  and  ijraeo  of  bearing, 
a  blended  repose  and  force  of  cliarae- 
ter.  a  tirniness  of  purpose,  an  energy 
and  jierseveianee  mingled  with  a  i)rae- 
tical  flood  sense  and  taet,  and,  withal, 
nn  indcf.atisablo  watchfulness  for  all 
who  came  within  the  lart;e  r.aniie  of 
her  acf|Uivintanoe  and  benevolence, 
which  are  rarely  couil)iiie(l  in  so  liij;h  a 
uc;:;ree  in  any  one  iniliviilual.  Hardly 
any  other  person  known  to  the  citizens 
of  Madison  seemed  as  constantly  to 
express  in  the  daily  rouiul  of  life, 
thoU!,'h  she  never  uttorc<l  it  in  words, 
that  famous  sentiment  of  the  Homan 
poet,  "  I  am  a  human  beins;  and  noth- 
nig  that  is  human  do  I  deem  foreign  to 
me." 

And  through  all  the  long  weeks  of 
her  severe  and  prostrating  sickness. 
until  the  power  of  voluntary  control 
over  mental  action  ce.ised,  nothing,  it 
is  said,  was  more  remarkable  than  ihe 
clearness  and  exactness  of  her  thoughts, 
except  the  constancy  with  which  those 
thou;,dits  were  directed  to  the  comfort 
and  welfare  of  others,  even  in  those 
minute  matters  of  which  one  in  her 
condition  cotild  hardly  be  expected  to 
think  at  all. 

She  died  at  the  residence  of  the 
fainilv  in  Madison,  about  noon,  on 
Sunday,  Oct.  21,  1S07,  in  the  sixty-fifth 
year  of  her  age. 

Prof.  Conover,  writing  of  tills  nohlo 
iaily,  says,  "  IJut  it  is  vain  in  this 
brief  notice  t)  attempt  to  do  its  siiliject 
justice,  iiouml  to  lier  by  no  tie  of 
kindred,  bi'iind  <iidy  l>y  that  unfailing 
kin(li;e>s,  tliat  thoughtful  good-will, 
which,  for  more  tlian  sixteen  years,  fol- 
lowed him  and  his.  as  it  followed  so 
many  others,  the  writer  cannot  ileal  in 
studied  eulogy,  still  le<s  in  cool  analy- 
sis of  character.  lie  reniemliers  only, 
that  in  that  genial  and  hos|iital)lehnme, 
where,  like  oiIkts.  lie  lias  .-o  often 
sought  comfort  and  society  in  hours  of 
trial  or  of  loneliness,  a  stalely  and  ven- 
erated form  will  n(!ver  .again  rise  to  ex- 
tend to  him  the  cordial  greeting;  aiul, 
so  remembering,  he  is  silenced  by  a 
pang  of  personal  grief." 

Mii'i.  (Jov.  Hknuy  Dodoi;.  — Promi- 
nent among  Ihe  early  settlers  of  \Vis- 
C'lisjii  is  till!  wife  of  ex-(rov.  Itenry 
li  Ml';e,  who  was  born  I'eb.  2.  178."),  near 
I!ardi|owii,  Xelson  County.  ICy.  She 
vvifi  the  ilauglit"r  of  .lames  Mebonald. 
When  eleven  years  of  age,  she.  with 
licr  lather  and  his  family,  emigrated 


west  of  the  Jli-sissippl  Eiver,  where 
they  made  tlieiriiome  in  tlie  Spanisli 
province  of  U])|ier  Louisiana  in  ITild, 
eight  years  anterior  to  its  purchase  by 
Tlionias  Jefferson. 

She  was  married  in  tlie  lionhnmme 
Scttloineiif,  St.  Louis  County,  Mo.,  in 
March,  ISDl,  to  Henry  Uodge,  with 
whom  she  lived  until  her  death, — .a 
period  of  sixty-live  years.  Slie  was  tlie 
mother  of  thirteen  children,  nine  of 
whom  (seven  daughters  and  two  sons) 
attained  mature  years. 

Sirs.  Dodge  endured  all  tlie  priva- 
tions, sufferings,  and  dangers  incident 
to  .'I  residence  upon  the  extreme  fron- 
tier of  tlie  North-west,  tlien  constantly 
menaced  by  Indi.an  liostilities. 

In  the  ever-varying  fortunes  of  lier 
pioneer  husband,  tlio  rude  log-c.al)in 
and  stockade-fort  were,  during  many 
years,  tlie  pl.vces  of  lier  abode.  Often 
has  she  tied  with  her  children  to  some 
neigliboring  "  lilock-house"  for  s.afety 
and  protection  from  the  savage  foe, 
known  to  spare  neither  age,  sex,  nor 
condition. 

Nearly  fifty  years  ago,  she  migrated 
from  Missouri  to  AVisconsin,  ascending 
thoMis.-issippiat  a  time  when  the  jour- 
ney (now  one  of  two  or  three  days)  oc- 
cupied more  than  a  month  ;  the  primi- 
tive craft  in  which  she  travelled  being 
propelled  by  the  hands  of  tlie  Canadian 
boavnien  of  that  day. 

Possessed  of  a  serene  disposition,  of 
calmness  .ind  courage,  she  exhibitiHl 
under  all  th'  trials  of  life  singular 
resignation  and  tranipiillify.  Of  a  con- 
templative and  serious  mind,  she  bo- 
came,  early  in  life,  a  professor  of  reli- 
gion, and  ever  after,  botli  liy  precept 
and  example,  .'iilhered  to  the  cause  of 
the  Saviour  with  increasing  zeal  and 
faith. 

it  may  be  truly  said  that  her  life  was 
likea]:iaeid  stream  flowing  smootiily 
on  uniil  it  was  lost  in  tlie  ocean  of 
eternity. 

Mrs.  Dodge  died  after  a  short  illness, 
in  the  city  of  Durlingtou,  lo..  Marcli 
;'>0,  180.'),  in  tlio  eighty-lirst  year  of  lier 
age. 

Tlie  circumstances  atttuiling  lier 
death  were  calculated  to  soothe  her 
dying  nionient<.  ,She  was  suirouiiileil 
by  her  devoted  husliiiml,  liy  children, 
graiidehildren,  and  kind  friends,  .she 
died  iis  ^he  had  lived,  calmly  and 
quietly;  and  without  a  pang,  a  groiiu, 
or  a  stru'.'gle,  her  soul  ascended  to  the 
Ood  wh  >  gave  it. 

Mns.  Ci)iti)»:Li.v  A.  P.  IIai!Vi;y.  — 
Perliaps  there  is  no  name  in  Wijconsiii 


700 


Bl STORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


so  honored,  or  Imld  In  sucli  deep  affec- 
tion, as  that  of  IIakvey, — cstcenied  be- 
cause it  represents  tliat  whii'li  is  nolile, 
brave,  and  true  in  man  and  in  woman, — 
esteemed  not  only  liy  tlic  citizens  of  tlic 
State,  or  by  tlie  courageous  soldiers,  or 
by  the  young  men  and  women,  but  by 
the  little  children,  the  hope  of  thi  fu- 
ture, the  orphans  of  our  "boysin' luc." 
Our  lamented  ex-governor,  Lou.  \  P. 
Harvey,  went  South  soon  after  the 
battle  at  Sliiloh.  The  object  of  his  j  lur- 
ney  was  to  furnish  Wisconsin  so'iliers 
with  army  supplies  and  medical  aid. 
That  he  was  unselfish,  and  thoughtful 
for  the  welfare  of  others,  may  he  seen 
by  the  letter  dated  two  days  previous 
to  his  death,  and  which  proved  to  be 
the  last  one  written  to  his  wife:  — 

riTTsnuiio  LA.NmNO,  April  17, 1882. 
Dear  Wife, — Yesterday  was  the 
day  of  my  life.  Thank  God  for  the 
impulse  that  brought  mc  here.  I  am 
well,  and  have  done  more  good  by 
coming  than  I  can  well  tell  you. 
In  haste, 

Loiiis. 

This  letter  reveals  th'  nobility  of 
Mr.  Harvey's  character  better  th.anany 
analysis  whidi  we  might  be  able  to 
make.  At  Savainiah,  on  his  return 
home,  as  he  was  about  to  pass  from 
one  boat  to  another,  his  foot  slipping, 
he  foil,  and  was  drowned.  As  the  cold 
waves  of  the  Mississippi  swept  over  his 
beloved  form,  the  colli  waves  of  sorrow 
swept  over  tlie  heart  of  his  honored 
wife,  increasing  in  scope  until  all  the 
people  of  the  State  were  ingulfed  in 
gloom. 

Since  those  not  personivUy  acquainted 
with  him  mourned  Ills  untimely  death 
so  sincerely,  how  can  words  express 
the  grief  of  his  almost  constant  com- 
panion I  Her  love,  her  pride,  her  joy, 
was  gone.  In  a  moment,  the  llghtof  her 
life  went  out,  — went  in  the  fulness  of 
its  glory.  O  ye  women  to  whom  strong 
love  is  so  vital,  and  who  have  been 
similarly  bereft!  ye  only  can  sympa- 
tliize  with  Mrs.  Harvey.  For  a  time, 
she  succumbed  to  her  deep  grief ;  but 
when  Its  strength  had  partially  worn 
away,  knowing  her  life  must  still 
continue,  it  is  only  natural  that  the 
question  should  revolve  itself  in  her 
mind  as  to  the  object  of  life.  WHiile 
ill  this  state  of  mind,  she  began  to  feel 
the  whole  import  of  her  husband's 
character,  of  which  his  letter  to  her 
was  but  an  Index.  These  feelings 
influenced  her,  till  it  became  a  settled 


conviction  that  she  must  rise  up.  and 
linish  the  work  Mr.  Harvey  had  so 
nobly  commenced,  —  of  earing  for  the 
Wisconsin  snliliers.  With  her,  to  will 
was  to  act.  Her  bereavement  had  much 
to  do  In  preparing  lier  for  the  work  in 
whicli  she  was  to  engage. 

Early  in  the  fall  of  1S(>2,  Gov.  Salo- 
mon cordially  granted  her  rcfjuest  to 
act  as  one  of  the  sanitary  agents  of  the 
State,  in  order  that  she  might  visit  the 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers  from  Wis- 
consin in  tlie  military  hospitals  of  the 
Western  Department.  The  woik  was 
entirely  new,  and  one  in  which  intelli- 
gent and  worthy  women  liad  sometimes 
utterly  failed. 

The"  complete  and  thorough  system, 
wliich,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  eliarac- 
terlzc(i  our  entire  medical  department, 
was  not  then  In  force,  burgeons  in- 
competent from  drink,  or  lack  of  edu- 
cation, were  found  in  many  hospitals. 
Though  the  delicacy  of  the  situation 
impressed  itself  on  her  mind,  she  was 
not  long  in  arriving  at  a  pertinent  con- 
clui'.on  of  the  projjcr  course  to  pursue. 
Accordingly  she  went  to  St.  Louis. 
While  there,  she  m.ade  her  home  at  the 
house  of  Creorge  Partridge,  Ks(|.,  a 
member  of  the  Western  Sanitary  Com- 
mission. On  the  20th  of  September, 
Mrs.  Harvey  called  on  and  was  kindly 
received  by  Dr.  Mills,  the  United  States 
Medic:'!  Director.  She  visHeil  hospitals 
in  Kifth  Street  and  at  Uenton  Barracks, 
and  found  them  emwded  with  men 
from  the  camps  and  the  battlif-lields  of 
Missouri  and  Tennessee.  As  she  glided 
from  cot  to  cot,  ministering  to  those 
dear  boys  whose  i)alo  faces  were  turned 
wistfully  toward  her,  and  who,  though 
not  Inured  to  hardship,  had  volunteered 
in  the  first  flush  of  enthusiasm,  her 
kind  heart  w.is  irresistibly  drawn  to 
them  by  the  Invisible  cords  of  sym- 
pathy. 

Just  after  the  First  Wisconsin  Cavalry 
had  returned  to  Cape  GIradeau  from 
their  terrible  raid  tlirougli  the  swamps 
of  Arkansas,  slie  received  news  of  great 
suffering  at  that  place.  In  seeing  them, 
she  could  not  repel  the  thought,  whicli 
thrust  itself  continually  before  her,  of 
the  time  when  she  and  her  noble  hus- 
band had  tosetber  reviewed  them  in 
Wisconsin,  wlieu  the  regiment  was  re- 
plete in  numbers,  and  stood  erect  in  the 
glow  of  health  and  manly  pride,  but 
now  was  so  sadly  reduced.  The  hos- 
pitals weie  crowded,  and  the  means  in- 
adequate for  supplying;  tlie  necessary 
aid.  Tliey  had  nothing  to  subsist  upon 
but  the  common  army  rations.     She 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


701 


iiid 
so 

dll 

icli 

ill 


telojraphed  to  Mr.  Tcatinjin,  president 
of  the  Western  Sanilary  Comniission, 
and  in  two  days  received  abundant 
supplies. 

Soon  after  lior  return  to  .St.  Louis, 
she  went  to  Wisconsin  to  give  proper 
dli'!ctions  to  tlm  ladies  who  were  niak- 
ins;  ellorts  to  alleviate  the  sntTerings  of 
the  soldiers.  In  October  Mrs.  Harvey 
revisit(?d  the  hospitals.  She  did  all  in 
lior  power  to  comfort  them,  wrltiiig  to 
their  friends,  and  procuring  discharges 
for  those  who  were  in  a  dying  condi- 
tion, and  were  inifit  for  service.  With 
a  lieart  burdened  by  grief,  i)Ut  with  a 
cheerful  countenance,  she  went  where 
attendants  refused,  and  surgeons  were 
arti'ighted,  to  go.  Her  furgel fulness  of 
self  w.as  truly  wonderful.  Once  con- 
vinced that  her  object  was  just,  she 
left  no  honorable  nu'aiis  untried  to 
secure  it.  When  surgeons  could  not 
he  llattered  or  coaxed,  she  administered 
a  gentle  threat,  or  gave  an  intimation 
that  higher  otlieials  might  learn  of  the 
report. 

In  visiting  Ironton.  during  the  latter 
])artof  October,  she  t'o\ind  the  Eleventh 
liegiment  to  be  suffering  from  ma- 
larious diseases,  contracted  while  at 
Helena,  Ark,,  and  otlxT  posts.  One 
patient,  a  mere  youth,  a  membiu- 
of  Coinpanv  A.  remarked,  when  he 
lie.ard  of  Mrs.  Harvey's  arrival,  "My 
turn  will  soon  come:  for  she'll  get  me 
my  furlough.''  The  furlough  did  come 
the  next  day.  The  poor  lad,  on  hear- 
ing it,  said,  "God  bless  her!  Thank 
G(xll  I'm  going  home."  He  turned  his 
face  to  the  wall;  and  he  who  seenii'il 
.so  strong  was  at  home  in  a  half-hoiu's 
time  with  his  Father  in  heaven.  This 
dying  soldier  but  expressed  the  seiiti- 
iiient  which  perv.aded  the  hearts  of  all 
our  boys,  —  •■  Cod  bless  her!" 

■She  returned  to  St.  Louis  Nov.  1, 
when  the  sui-geon  in  charge  of  the 
liospitals  wrote  to  Gov.  .Salomon  com- 
mending her  elTorts.  During  the  same 
month,  while  she  w.as  at  Cape  Gi- 
rardeau, (Jen.  Curtis  gave  her  permis- 
sion to  visit  all  the  liospitals  in  his 
command,  with  an  order  to  quarter- 
nuasters  and  trans|>ortation  companies 
to  afford  her  and  her  sanitary  articles 
transmission.  One  hundred  men  were 
found  sick  at  Meiniibis;  and  for  many 
of  these  she  procureil  dl-charges.  She 
went  next  to  Helena,  St.  Louis,  K(dla, 
Ironton,  and  early  in  February,  ISOl!, 
to  Memphis,  from  wliich  place  she 
directed  a  letter  to  the  governor,  urging 
hitn  to  establish  a  hospital  there.  In 
a  letter  to  liim,  she  said,  "  Wo  have  a 


great  many  sick  and  wounded  here; 
and  to-morrow  I  commence  visiting 
the  hospitals.  1  feel  that  I  can  do 
great  good  here.  I  am  very  well,  and 
shall  labor  with  delight ;  for  I  know 
just  what  to  do,  and  where  to  go,  the 
authoritii!s  are  so  willing  to  aid  me." 

Finding  no  Wisconsin  men  sick  at  Co- 
rinth, she  visited  .liickson,  La  Grange, 
Jlempliis,  and,  in  March,  Vieksburg, 
where  she  wont  to  see  Gen.  Grant,  and 
was  successful  in  securing  the  issue  of 
orders  to  send  patients  having  chronic 
diarrlnea  to  Northern  hospitals;  and 
another  to  clear  out  the  convalescent 
camp  at  Memphis,  discharging  tlioso 
unfit  for  service,  sending  others  to 
their  regiments,  and  appointing  medi- 
cal Inspeetors  to  every  army  cor[)s  wlio 
should  have  full  power  to  discharge 
disabled  men.  The  United  States  .Sani- 
tary Commission  gave  an  order  to  Mrs. 
Harvey  for  all  necessary  supplies,  and 
one  hundred  dollars  to  bo  used  every 
month  for  the  benefit  of  soldiers,  ac- 
cording to  her  judgment. 

In  the  spring  of  18(i3  Young's  Point, 
across  the  river  from  Vieksburg,  was 
tlie  limit  of  uninterrupted  navigation; 
and  much  sickness  was  induced  by  the 
high  water  covering  the  low  lands. 
After  a  f<>w  weeks'  labor,  Mrs.  Harvey 
herself  was  taken  seriously  ill  with  the 
terrible  nii.asma,  and  returned  North, 
S|wnding  the  summer  in  Wisconsin  and 
Now  York. 

Her  next  work  was  to  carry  into 
execution  jier  plan  of  establishing  gen- 
eral hospitals  in  the  North.  For  the 
most  part,  this  work  was  received  with 
very  lilllo  favor  by  the  high  oflieials. 
In  ScptembiM',  after  securing  the  co- 
operation of  Gov.  Salomon  and  others, 
she  went  to  W.ashington.  and  made  her 
plea  in  person  to  the  President.  She 
obtained  a  few  interviews  with  tlie 
much-honored  Mr.  Lincoln,  which 
finally  terminated  by  granting  a  Gen- 
eral Hos]iital  to  Wi-^consiu.  It  was 
lociiteil  in  Madison.  The  United  .St.ates 
Government  purchased  the  building 
which  was  erected  for  a  residence  by 
ex-(iov.  Farwell,  and  converted  it  into 
the  widely-known  "Harvey  Hospital." 
As  a  sample  of  the  good  which  the 
Harvey  Hospital  did  for  our  soldiers, 
the  first  instance  might  be  cited.  Out 
of  tlie  one  hundred  men  which  were 
sent  from  Fort  Pickering,  a  convales- 
cent camp,  only  seven  died,  and  five 
wore  discharged;  and  the  remainder 
returned  to  active  service. 

Early  in  Octidier,  Mrs.  Harvey  re- 
turned to  Mempliis,  and  in  November, 


702 


ntSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


uiulor  Gov.  Siilomou's  Instructions, 
went  to  Vick-hui-i;,  and  niado  tliat 
place  her  headciuaitcrs.  Ilcr  field  of 
operation  was  from  Meraphis  to  New 
Orleans,  and  to  such  points  on  each 
side  of  the  river  where  Wisconsin  regi- 
ments were  stationed,  or  where  Wis- 
consin, men  were  to  be  found  in  hospi- 
tals. She  remained  at  Vici;sburg  until 
June,  1805,  wlieu  alie  returned  to  Wis- 
consin, and  interested  lierself  in  the 
establishment  of  tlie  Soldiers'  Orplians' 
Home.  In  18(i0  tlic  State  bought  the 
Harvey  Hospital  for  ton  thousand  dol- 
lars. Tlie  amount  received  by  sub- 
scription for  its  support  was  nearly 
thirteen  thousand  dollars.  Mrs.  Har- 
vey, with  a  temporary  I)oard  of  in- 
structors, opened  the  institution.  She 
was  made  the  first  superintendent; 
and,  at  the  time  the  State  took  pos- 
session, eiiility-four  orphans  were  ad- 
mitted. Mrs.  Harvey  resigned  her 
position  May  1,  180".  Her  native 
liome  is  liarre,  Orleans  County,  N.Y. 
Her  work  began  in  sadness,  but  was 
crowned  with  joy.  Truly  God  blesseth 
every  good  work ;  and  may  our  coun- 
try  bo  made  happy  by  the  efforts  of 
many  such  noble,  Christlike  charac- 
ters ! 

Mns.  Anneke.  —  Madame  Anneke 
is  a  German  lady,  whose  superior  talent 
mid  culture,  whose  varied  and  remarka- 
ble life,  and  n-iany  public  works,  have 
won  f  >r  her  an  enviable  popularity  and 
distinction  auiong  her  country  men  and 
women,  both  in  Europe  and  America. 
In  very  early  life  she  became  much  en- 
gaged in  literary  pursuits,  and  inter- 
ested herself  in  political  ailairs. 

During  the  German  troubles  of  1848, 
her  liusband,  who  was  a  Prussian  oili- 
cer,  espoused  the  cause  of  the  revolu- 
tionists, and  becimc  a  powerful  leader 
of  the  party,  which  he  served  on  n\auy 
a  battle-lield.  In  this  work  the  young 
wife  heartily  sympathized;  and  slie, 
too,  rendei(vi  the  patriots  powerful  aid. 
When,  at  length,  her  husband  was 
captured  and  imprisoned,  under  sen- 
tence of  death,  in  Cologne,  where  he 
lay  for  neatly  a  year,  Madame  Anneke 
removed  the  furnttme  and  carpets  from 
her  parlors,  and,  bringing  in  a  printing- 
press,  editeil  a  paper  in  the  interest  of 
the  revolution.  In  this  way,  she  con- 
tinued to  labor,  until,  her  party  losing 
g.'ounit,  she  was  forced  to  abatulon  her 
work,  and  (ly  for  s.afety.  Leaving  her 
children  with  trusty  servants,  she  now 
ha-teued  to  join  her  husband,  who  had 
in  tlie  mean  time  been  liberated.  In  the 
Ueld.    She  took  a  place  on  his  staff,  of 


which  Carl  Sehnrz  was  also  a  member. 
She  served  in  tlii-  capacity  until  tha 
close  of  t!ie  struggle.  She  has  seen 
many  battle-fields,  and  has  been  in  tlio 
thickest  of  tlu)  fray,  doing  a  siddier's 
duty  by  day,  and  sleeping  on  the  field, 
by  the  feet  of  Iier  trusty  steed,  at  night. 

When  the  revolutiotiists  were  finally 
overpowered,  she,  witlx  her  family  and 
others, sought  a  refuge  in  France;  but, 
owing  to  the  chaotic  condition  of  affairs 
there,  this  proved  an  unsafe  .isyluni, 
and  the  fugitives  were  forced  to  t!eo 
for  life  to  Switzerlaiul.  Here,  again, 
they  found  themselves  unprotected, 
and  were  obliged  to  (ly  for  safety.  It 
was  now  decided  that  the  party  should 
^e^■k  a  refuge  in  America;  and  they 
came  hither  nearly  twenty-live  ye.ara 
ago.  M.adamo  Ainieke,  having  made, 
with  hor  children  (her  husband  pre- 
ceded her),  the  then  tedious  journey 
from  Xew  York  to  Milwaukee,  soon 
busied  herself  lecturing  to  th(!  (lermans 
upon  the  recetit  struggle,  and  the  con- 
dition of  affairs  in  the  Old  Country. 
She  was  one  of  the  earliest  workers  for 
tlie  cause  of  enfranchisement  of  women 
in  this  country,  and  twenty-cine  years 
ago  advocated  the  reform  both  in  her 
w-ritiiigs  and  public  lectures.  She  re- 
peatedly addressed  large  assemblies  in 
Boston,  Kew  York,  ami  Philadelphia 
on  this  subject,  and  for  years  con- 
tinued the  work  in  tlie  various  cities 
and  towns  where  many  Germans  were 
gathered. 

She  addressed  the  American  Equal 
nights  Association,  hi  her  own  lan- 
guage, at  the  .anniversary  in  Xow  Y'ork, 
in  18.VJ.  Uut  this  is  not  all.  She  sub- 
sequently edited  and  published  a  paper 
in  the  interest  of  this  rcfurm,  called 
the  "Frauen  Zeitung,"  or  "Woman's 
(Jazette,''  This  paper  was  first  pub- 
lished in  Milwaukee,  and  at'ti'rwards 
ro>noved  to  New  Y'ork.  After  three 
years  of  s(!verc  editorial  labor,  slie  was 
compelled,  by  ill  health,  to  abandon 
tlie  enterprise.  Subser|uently  she  went 
to  Europe  with  an  American  lady  to 
whom  she  was  devotedly  attached. 
Seeking  a  quiet  rural  home  in  Switz- 
'  erl.and,  the  friends  spent  four  delight- 
i  fill  years  in  literary  pursuits,  only 
breaking  the  monotony  by  occasional 
short  trips  to  Paris  and  the  German 
heights.  Several  volumes  of  poems 
and  drama  were  published  as  the  re- 
sults of  their  labors.  Keturning  to 
tlie  United  St.ates,  she  established  in 
Milwaukee,  about  nine  years  since, 
an  academy  for  young  ladies,  wliero 
foreigners  may  learn  English,  and  all 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


703 


may  bo  instnictotl  in  tlic  Frencli,  Gcr- 
miin,  and  Liitlii  toiiirucs. 

Ilitro  Madame  AniicUo  may  be  found 
daily,  superintending  tlio  education  of  a 
large  company  of  young  ladies,  among 
wlioin  are  her  own  dauglitcrs ;  and  it  is 
easy  to  see  tliat  siie  wlio  lias  suffered 
so  many  reverses  of  fortune,  wlio  has 
served  her  country  in  peace  and  in 
war,  is  also  the  tlujrougli  scholar,  the 
successful  teacher,  and  the  gifted,  ac- 
compli -hed  lady.  She  is  still  devoted, 
heart  and  soul,  to  the  enfr.inchisement 
of  woman ;  and  the  cause  has  much  to 
hope  from  lier  influence,  especially  with 
those  of  her  own  nationality,  wlumi 
she  constantly  addresses  by  tongue 
and  pen. 

Miis,  Maiiy  J.  Ru9K.  —  Prominent 
anioni;  the  ladies  of  Viroijua  was  Mrs. 
Mary  J.  Husk,  the  first  wife  of  Oen. 
J.  M.  Husk,  and  the  youngest  daughter 
of  Abraham  Martin.  Siie  w.as  born  in 
Perry  County,  O.,  in  1S02.  In  1840 
she  was  married  to  J.  M.  Husk.  They 
cam(!  to  Wisconsin  in  18.")3,  and  settled 
at  Viroqua,  Badaye  C'.mnty,  now  known 
as  Vernon  County.  Tlieir  twi>  children, 
a  sou  and  a  dai'giiter,  have  both  grailu- 
atJd  from  'tiu;  State  University  of  Wis- 
consin. The  son,  L.  J.  Ku-^k,  has  ju-^t 
been  admitted  to  the  bar  in  La  Cro^sc. 
The  daughter.  Charity  A.  Kusk,  resides 
with  her  father  in  Viroqua. 

Mrs.  Kusk  wa"  medium  in  size,  and  a 
lady  of  remarkable  beauty.  Possessing 
finely-moulded  features,  and  dark  haii' 
and  eyes,  with  a  very  fair  com|)lexion, 
she  could  not  avoid  the  admiration 
given  her.  Being  eha'itablo  and  hos- 
pita1)le,  she  retained  the  highest  esteem 
ot  her  neighbors.  Ilei  manner  was 
natural  and  enlivening.  One  would 
not  remain  long  in  th'j  presence  of 
Mrs.  Husk  without  noti.ig  the  genial 
disposition,  the  amiability  of  char- 
acter, and  the  h.'inpy  blending  of  many 
good  (jualities.  Combining  these  natu- 
ral graces  of  the  physical  .and  mental 
systems,  which  slie  possessed  to  so 
eminent  a  degree,  she  could  not  be 
otherwise  than  a  valuable  acquisition 
to  society,  and  a  beloved  wife  and 
mother. 

Mrs.  Rusk  died  about  seven  years 
after  her  marriage,  at  her  residence,  in 
Viroqua,  in  January,  1>;.')0.  She  was 
not  a  member  of  any  church,  though 
a  firm  believer  in  the  principles 
of  Cbri-tlanity.  She  died  sincerely 
mourned  by  a  large  concourse  (ti 
friends  and  relatives,  and  especially  by 
her  bei(!avpd  husband  and  her  alllict- 
ed  little  ones. 


Mns,  Eliza  Salomon.  —During  the 
war,  and  while  the  patriotic  sentiment 
raged  and  spread  rapidly  over  our 
State,  an  accomplislied  and  cultured 
woman  might  have  been  seen  ([uietly 
seated  in  her  own  jiarlors,  seeking  no 
prominenee,  but  working  faithfully 
and  diligently  for  our  "  boys  in  blue." 
This  brave  woman,  about  wluim  is 
no  ostentatious  display,  is  Mrs.  Eliza 
Sahmion.  Iler  homo  was  in  our  me- 
troi)olis,  Milwatikeo.  ller  efforts  were 
ciiaracterized  by  generosity  and  in- 
dustry. Both  she  and  her  husband 
were  ot  German  descent;  and  they 
rendered  much  assistance  to  the  Ger- 
man soldiers  who  were  fighting  for 
tlicir  adopted  homes. 

In  1801  Mr.  Salomon  was  elected 
lieutenant-governor  on  the  same  ticiiet 
that  the  lamented  Louis  Harvey  was 
elected  governor.  On  tlu;  death  of 
Gov.  Harvey,  in  April,  18(i2.  Lieut.- 
Gov.  Salomon  took  his  i)laee,  and 
served  out  the  remainder  of  tlio  term, 
—  twenty-one  months. 

The  work  of  tlie  wile,  as  well  as  the 
husband's,  now  lay  in  a  l)roader  field. 
From  this  time,  ;ill  the  soldiers  of  Wis- 
consin, witliout  regard  to  nationality, 
received  sustenance  from  licr.  This 
noble  work  engrossed  nearly  her  whole 
time,  both  at  homo  and  abroad.  She  ac- 
companied her  bu-^band  wherever  duty 
and  inclination  called  him  to  look  after 
the  soldiers.  Viek^burg  was  visited, 
and  at  a  time  when  it  was  exceedingly 
dangerous;  for  the  guerillas  swarmed 
the  Mississippi,  and  often  fired  into 
the  vessel,  but  fortunately  did  no 
harm.  The  soldiers  at  this  place 
were  found  to  be  suffering  extremely. 
Though  there  was  much  work  to  bo 
done  in  Vieksbui'g.  and  though  her 
time  was  limited,  she  was  enabled  to 
do  nuich  of  it. 

She  visited  the  hospitals  of  Indiana, 
Illinois,  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  of 
other  places  whiMC  lay  our  sick  and 
wounded  men.  Her  quiet  and  firm,  but 
cheerful  manner,  made  her  luimerous 
warm  and  lasting  friends.  Maiiv  a 
soldier  is  happy  in  testifying  of  lier 
generosity  in  friendship  and  in  finan- 
cial niiitters. 

At  the  fir-it  Sanitary  Fair  held  in 
j  Chicago,  Mis.  Salomon's  energy  and 
ambition  ransed  her  to  institute  a  Ger- 
man departnu.'Ut.  Contriljutions  if 
nc-  '.lo  and  handiwork  were  received 
froiu  the  German  ladies  of  Wisconsin 
and  Chicago.  Tlie  whole  plan  prived 
to  bv!  highly  suee<'s-.ful ;  for  the  rec(;ipts 
amounted  to  full  six  thousand  dollars, 


704 


niSTORY  OF  vriscoNsm. 


Mr.  Salomon's  piiMlc  (hitios  wore 
over  in  .Jiimiary,  IWU;  but  Mrs.  Salo- 
mon's imlilio  (lulU^s  wore  not  ovtT  till 
the  closo  of  tlio  war.  Slio  had  found 
her  Hold,  and  liravcly  diil  sho  work  in 
It;  and  many  a  man  has  lived  to  rise 
from  a  licil  of  sickness,  and  praise  her 
unsclli.-h  zeal, 

Thou!;h  her  home  Is  In  Now  York 
City,  wlicre  her  liuslmnd  Is  engaged  In 
the  l('.;;al  in-olo^sion,  '■  wn  still  count 
them  as  iiurs;  for  lli(^y  w(M-e  one  with 
us  In  our  firr-[l  ajjlinitn." 

Kl.i.A  AViiKici-i:!!.  —  The  charmint; 
younj;  poetess,  wlio  has,  at  the  early 
•igo  (  f  tweiuy-four  years,  already  won 
n  conspieuoiis  place  in  the  literary 
aininis  c  t  V>'i<con:-ln,  was  born  In  the 
town  of  .)olin'.t<nvn,Kock  County,  Wis., 
in  November,  l.'.'S'l.  Her  father  ( Marcus 
II.  WheeliM')  and  lior  motlior  (whoso 
maiden  name  was  Sarah  Pratt)  wore 
froui  Vermont,  and  emi'^nitcd  to  this 
State  In  18-1!),  and  settled  lirst  at  Johns- 

iwn.  When  Klla  was  about  one  year 
o.  ;,  they  moved  to  the  town  of  West- 
port,  Dane  Coimty,  Wis.,  where  they 
still  reside.  Ella's  oppr)rtunltie9  for 
education  were  almost  wholly  limited 
to  the  dif'tiict  school;  niul,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  single  tenn  in  the  State 
University,  this  was  the  only  Institu- 
tion of  leaniiui;  she  has  ever  attended. 
She  learned  very  rapidly,  and,  of 
course,  ,so(  ii  ran  llirou',di  with  all  the 
branches  taught  in  tlie  common  school. 
Ilor  poetic  gi'ni;is  began  to  display  it- 
self .it  an  early  age;  .and  in  licr  fif- 
teenth year  she  wrote  .several  pieces 
which  were  publl  died,  ami  attracted 
considerable  attention.  Before  she  luul 
reached  her  twentieth  year,  she  had  be- 
come a  welcome  contributor  to  such 
flrst-class  pajiers  as  •'Harper's  Weekly," 
Leslie's  i>ublicatious,  and  the  "  Phila- 
delphia Post." 

It  may  be  proper,  perhaps.  In  this 
coimection,  to  give  a  brief  hi-^tory  of 
the  circumstances  under  which  she 
became  a  paid  contributor  to  the  first- 
named  paper.  She  had  sent  several  of 
her  poems  to  the  editor  of  "  Harper's 
Weekly,"  all  of  which  had  been  re- 
jected. In  the  mean  time,  one  of  her 
contributions  to  the  '•Philadelphia 
Post"  aliiT.eted  the  alteiiliou  of  an 
English  magazine,  and  was  deemed 
worthy  of  being  copied;  but  her  name 
was  dropped  from  it.  And  in  this 
anonymous  form  It  went  the  rounds 
of  the  press,  aiul  at  last  found  its 
way  into  the  poet'.s  corner  of  "  Har- 
j)er's  Weekly."  Having  made  the 
discovery  of  this  fact,  Miss  Wheeler 


wrote  to  the  editor,  Infonnlng  him, 
that,  inasiuueli  as  ho  Jiad  deemed  one 
of  her  poems  worthy  of  republication, 
perhaps  he  might  now  bo  willing  to 
accept  of  some  f rexh  from  her  pen.  The 
result  was,  that  the  "  Weekly  "  retained 
several  out  of  the  batch  that  the  young 
poetess  sent,  and  tliereafl(!rshe  became 
a  regular  contributor  to  "  Harper's." 
As  a  sijechiu'ii  of  her  earlier  poems,  we 
give  tlio  foHowIng,  which  was  written 
iti  her  twentieth  year,  and  for  which 
the  Harpers  sent  her  a  check  for  tifteen 
dollars. 


THE  MESSENGER. 

BY   Kr.LA  WnEELEIl. 

She  rose  up  In  the  early  dawn. 
Ami  white  aiul  silently  she  moved 

About  the  house:  four  men  had  gone 
To  b.attlo  for  the  laiul  they  loved ; 

Aiul  she,  the  mother  and  the  wife. 

Waited  for  tidings  from  the  strife. 

How  still  the  house  seemed  1  and  her 
tP-ad 

Souiulcd  like  footsteps  of  the  dead. 

The  long  day  passed.    The  dark  night 
came. 

Sho  had  not  seen  a  human  face. 
Some  voice  spoke  suddenly  her  name. 

How  loud  It  sounded,  in  that  place 
Where  d.ay  <in  day  no  sound  was  heard 
But  her  own  footsteps  I     "Bring  you 

word," 
She  cried,  to  whom  she  could  not  see.  — 
'•  Word  from  the  battle-plain  to  me  I " 

A  soldier  entered  at  the  door, 
And  stood  within  the  dim  flrelight. 

"  I  bring  you  tidings  of  the  four," 
He  said,  "  who  left  you  for  the  tight." 

"Gcd   bless  you,  friend!"  she  cried, 
'•speak  on; 

For  I  can  bear  it.    One  is  gone?" 

'■Ay,  one  I"  gonel"  ho  said.   "Which 
one'?" 

"  Dear  lady — he,  your  eldest  son." 

A  deathly  palor  shot  across 

Her  withered  face.  She  did  not  weep. 
She  said,  '"It  is  a  grievous  loss; 

But  l!od  gives  his  beloved  sleep. 
What  of  the  living  ?— of  the  three? 
And  when  can  they  come  back  tome?" 
Tlic  soldier  turned  away  his  liead  — 
"Lady,  your  husband,  too,  is  dead." 

She  ptit  her  hand  upon  her  biow. 

A  wild  sharp  pain  was  in  her  eyes. 
''  My  husband  ?  U  God  I  help  me  now." 

The  soldier  shivered  at  her  sighs : 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


705 


Tho  task  wns  lianlor  than  lie  thouRlit. 
"  Your    youiigoHt  son,    dear  madam, 

fought 
Close  at  liis  father's  side:  both  fell 
Dead,  by  the  bursting  of  a  shell." 

She  moved  her  lips,  and  seemed  to 
moan. 

Her  face  had  paled  to  ashen  gray. 
"Then  one  is  left  me,  — one  alone," 

She  said,    "  of    four  who  marched 
away. 
O  over-ruling,  all-wise  God, 
How  can  I  pass  beneath  thy  rodl" 
The  ooldier  walked  across  the  floor, 
Paused  at  the  window,  at  the  door, 

Wiped  the   cold    dewdrops   from   his 
cheek, 

And  sought  the  mourner's  side  again. 
"  Once  more,  dear  lady,  I  must  speak. 

Your  last  remaining  son  was  slain 
Just  at  the  closing  of  the  fight. 
'Twas  ho  who  sent  me  hero  to-night." 
"  God  knows,"  tho  man  said  afterward, 
"  The  light  itself  was  not  as  hard." 

Miss  Wheeler  has  already  published 
two  books  of  poems.  Her  first  volume 
was  made  up  exclusively  of  temper- 
ance poems,  and  was  piil)lished  under 
the  auspices  of  the  National  Temper- 
ance Association;  and  her  second, 
which  is  composed  of   miscellaneous 

fiicces,  was  published  by  herself,  and 
las,  we  believe,  reached  its  second  edi- 
tion. Both  her  books  have  received  very 
wide  and  flattering  notices  from  the 
press.  Her  tempei'ance  volume  found 
such  favor  abroad,  that  an  English  pub- 
lishing-house solicited  the  privilege  of 
republishing  it,  and  offered,  at  tho  same 
time,  to  secure  a  share  of  the  proceeds 
to  the  young  authoress.  A  request 
couched  in  terms  so  flattering  was,  of 
course,  granted;  and  not  many  months 
since,  Miss  Wheeler  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  receiving  from  across  the  ocean 
a  very  handsomely  bound  volume  of 
tho  British  edition  of  her  temperance 
poems.  A  London  paper  has  conferred 
upon  her  the  high  distinction  of  being 
the  "  Temperance  Poet  Laureate  of 
Europe  and  America," — a  title,  coming, 
as  it  does,  from  a  higli  foreign  source, 
of  which  she  has  just  reason  to  feel 
proud.  Indeed,  Miss  Wheeler's  literary 
career  has  been  singularly  successful 
from  the  very  outset.  In  addition  to 
her  poems,  she  has  written  for  various 
papers  and  periodicals  several  hundred 
prose  sketches  and  stories.  She  writes 
with  the  utmost  ease  either  prose  or 
poetry.  An  anecdote  will,  perhaps,  best 


illustrate  her  readiness  at  composition. 
In  1872,  when  the  re-union  of  the 
Grand  Anny  of  the  Tennessee  was 
held  at  Madison,  Miss  Wheeler  had 
been  invited  by  Col.  Thomas  Ueynolds 
to  write  the  poem  for  tho  occasion.  The 
poem,  as  originally  composed,  had 
omitted  to  make  any  reference  to  Gen. 
Sheridan,  as  It  was  not  known  that  L. 
was  going  to  be  present.  After  hio 
arrival,  and  after  the  crow<l  had  assem- 
bled in  tlie  Capitol,  and  in  the  midst  of 
the  noise  and  confusion,  Miss  Wheeler 
added  a  very  appropriate  and  highly 
complimentary  stanza  to  her  poem  In 
honor  of  tho  gallant  generi'.  "You 
must  be  a  very  talented  young 
lady,"  said  the  blunt  but  gallant  sol- 
dier, who  acted  as  president  of  the  day, 
to  Miss  Wheeler,  when  this  circum- 
stance was  related  to  him.  The  poem, 
which  was  read  at  this  re-union  of 
the  G.  A.  T.,  was  received  with  the 
most  enthusiastic  applause  by  the 
large  audience;  and  the  stout  soldiers 
of  the  society  testified  their  apprecia- 
tion of  her  effort  by  presenting  her 
with  the  gold  badge  of  their  order,  and 
making  her  an  honorary  member. 
"  If  tho  applause  she  has  received 
goes  to  her  heart,  it  will  bo  well,  but 
if  to  her  head,  it  will  spoil  her,"  re- 
marked Gen.  Sheridan  on  tho  occa- 
sion. It  is  enough  to  say  that  Miss 
Wieelcr  was  not  spoiled  by  these  flat- 
tering attentions.  That  a  young 
country-girl,  without  influential  friends 
to  assist  her,  without  means,  and  with 
a  limited  education,  should  have  been 
able  to  accomplish  so  much  in  litera- 
ture in  so  short  a  time,  is  certainly 
quite  remarkable,  and  shows  most  con- 
clusively that  she  must  possess  natural 
talents  of  a  high  order.  It  can  hardly 
be  supposed,  however,  that  she  has  as 
yet  reached  the  maturity  of  her  powers. 
When  time,  reading,  study,  and  reflec- 
tion have  ripened  her  splendid  natural 
abilities,  we  hope  for  still  more  and 
better  productions  from  her  pen.  In 
personal  appearance.  Miss  Wheeler  is 
quite  attractive.  A  stranger,  who  for 
the  first  time  looked  upon  her  hand- 
some face  blooming  with  tho  ruddy 
glow  of  health,  would  discover  notliing 
there  to  Indicate  the  pensive,  dreaming 
poet,  but  would  rather  regard  her  as  a 
bright,  sparkling  country-girl,  full  of 
fun  and  frolic,  and  overflowing  with 
happy  humor.  But  there  Is  something 
wonclerfuliy  bright  in  the  glow  of  her 
handsome  hazel  eyes.  No  one  can  look 
into  her  sunny  face,  listen  to  her  spar- 
kling words,  without  being  convinced 


706 


HISTORY  OF   W/SCONSm. 


that  he  Is  >itftii(llns  In  the  prcsoiico  of  a   The  grief,  tlio  xhame.  mid  the  sorrow, 


remarkably  Kil'tiMl  yi>unK  lady.  Ilavlii); 
given  olio  lit  her  inlHcollaneons  pieces, , 
we  shall  (|iiote  a  single  poem  from  licr 
temperaiie.!  hook.  We  cannot  say  that 
It  is  her  best  clTort,  or  even  one  of  her 
boot,  upon  this  subject;  but  It  will  Nerve 
as  a  specimen  of  her  powers  as  a  tem- 
perance poet.    It  Is  entitled  :  — 


A  SIGN-BOARD. 

I  WILL  paint  you  a  sign,  rumseller. 
And  hang  It  above  your  dnor,  — 

A  truer  and  bettor  signboard 
Than  ever  you  hud  before, 

I  will  paint  with  the  skill  of  a  master; 

And  many  shall  pause  to  see 
This  wonderful,  swinging  signboard, 

So  like  the  reality. 

I  will  paint  yourself,  rumseller. 
As  you  wait  for  that  f:iir  young  boy, 

Just  in  the  morn  of  manhood, 
A  mother's  pride  and  joy. 

lie  has  no  thought  of  stopping ; 

But  you  greet  him  with  a  smilo; 
And  you  seem  so  blithe  and  friendly. 

He  pauses  to  chat  a  while. 

I  will  paint  you  again,  rumseller: 
1  will  paint  you  as  you  sLind, 

With  a  foaming  glass  of  liquor 
Held  high  in  cither  hand. 

lie  wavers ;  hut  you  urge  him : 
"  Drink,  pledge  me  just  this  one;" 

And  ho  lifts  the  glass,  and  drains  it; 
And  the  hellish  work  is  done. 

And  next  I  will  paint  a  drunkard : 

Only  a  year  has  flown ; 
But  into  this  loathsome  creature 

The  fair  young  boy  has  grown. 

Tlie  work  was  quick  and  rapid : 

I  will  paint  him  as  he  lies 
In  a  torpid,  drunken  slumber. 

Under  the  winter  skies. 

I  will  paint  the  form  of  the  mother 
As  she  kneels  at  her  darling's  side,  — 

Her  beautiful  boy,  that  was  dearer 
Than  aJl  of  the  world  beside. 

I  will  paint  the  shape  of  a  coffin 
Labelled  with  one  more  "lost:" 

I  will  paint  all  this,  rumseller, 
And  paint  it  free  of  cost. 


The  crime,  the  sin,  and  the  woe 
That  is  born  there  In  your  rum-shop, 
No  hand  can  paint,  you  know. 

But  I'll  paint  you  a  sign,  rumseller; 

And  miiny  shall  paiise  to  view 
This  wonderful,  swhigint;  signboard. 

So  terribly,  fearfully  true. 

Mns.  Addy  Ticuenor.  —  The  maid- 
en name  of  Mrs.  Abby  Tlchonor  was 
Paul.  She  was  born  near  Klizabeth- 
town,  N..J.,  Oct.  5,  1"S7.  She  was  of 
KiiLjlish  descent,  as  her  grandmotlior, 
when  quite  n  young  woman,  emi- 
grated to  this  country.  The  father 
of  Jlrs.  Tiehenor,  Jlr.  Paul,  was  a 
patriot  in  the  Itevolutlonary  War,  and 
fought  courageously  during  its  entire 
course.  In  her  early  Infancy,  she  re- 
moved with  her  parents  from  New 
Jersey  to  Galw.ay,  Saratoga  County, 
N.y.,  that  region  being  tlion  a  wil- 
derness. Hero  she  resided  until 
after  the  restoration  of  peace  between 
Mexico  and  the  United  States,  when 
she  and  Moses  Tiehenor,  who  had  been 
a  soldier  In  the  war  of  1812,  were  mar- 
ried. Upon  their  maniase,  in  1814, 
thoy  wont  to  live  In  Anislcrdam,  then 
Montgomery  County,  New  York.  In 
the  spring  of  IS:!!)  tliey  emigrated  to 
Prairieville,  now  Waukesha,  Wis., 
where  they  remained  till  the  time  of 
their  death.  She  died  in  her  eighty- 
fifth  year,  April  12,  1872.  n(!r  husband 
died  Oct.  12,  1872. 

They  both  were  of  long-lived  fami- 
lies. The  grandmother,  of  whom  men- 
tion has  been  made,  died  lu  her  ninety- 
eighth  year.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tiehenor 
had  Ave  eliildrcn,  the  oldest  of  whom, 
Vernon  Tiehenor,  a  practical  lawyer,  is 
identified  witli  the  interests  of  W'auke- 
sha.  The  second  child  died  in  infancy; 
and  from  that  time  no  death  occurred 
in  the  family  till  Mrs.  Tiehenor' s  death, 
a  period  of  fifty-one  years.  The  other 
children  are  still  living,  and  reside  In 
the  State. 

Wlien  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tiehenor  came 
to  Wisconsin,  they  stopped  two  or  three 
months  in  Milwaukee,  and  tlien  came 
to  Prairieville,  and  made  their  home  by 
the  spring  which  is  now  so  celebrated, 
and  known  as  tho  "  Betliesda  Springs." 
Mr.  Tiehenor  purchased  the  quarter 
section  on  which  the  spring  is  located, 
at  the  land  sale  in  Milwaukee,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1830.  After  living  on  this  farm 
two  or  throe  yours,  they  sold  it,  and 
bought  another  two  miles  distant, 
where  they  lived  until  their  death. 


niSTORY  OF    WlSCONSrif. 


707 


MrH.  Tlchenm  wns  a  ChristUm 
wcmaii;  and  from  her  youth  wu^t  a 
piTsiiii  (if  niiirkotl  piety.  Dntl.  .he  and 
lii'r  liii^haml  possessed  grcut  mental 
mid  physical  vli^or,  and  hi'lonijod  to 
lliat  very  small  class  of  persons  who 
have  decided  character,  and  yet  retain 
a  circle  of  warm  friends,  at\(i  no  ene- 
mies. Thoufth  exceedinj;ly  active  and 
Induslrlous,  she  was  (lulot  in  manner; 
.•itlentivo  and  devoted  to  the  illtere^ts 
(jf  her  family.  She  made  no  pretenvioii 
t<>  piihlleity.  bho  was  good,  kind,  and 
charitahlo  to  all,  and  a  woman  well 
(it led  to  he  a  pioneer  guttler  of  Wau- 
l;e!.lia.  Uer  iielghhors  regarded  her 
Willi  the  greatest  esteem:  and  lier 
children,  who  know  lier  so  long  and  so 
inllmately,  say  of  her,  "She  is  one 
who  wciriind  faithfully  discharged  all 
her  trusts."  This  Is,  Indeed,  a  hi,!;h 
tcslimonlal.  and  especially  so  when  its 
source  Is  taken  Into  consideration,  hut 
one  which  lier  friends  aro  only  too 
willing;  to  indorse. 

Mix-*.  Saijaii  C.  Dotv.  —  Mrs.  Sarah 
rollins  Doty,  widow  of  the  late  ex- 
(;ov.  .lames  Duano  Doty,  was  born 
in  1S0(».  in  Whitestown,  OncidaCounty, 
N.Y.  Iler  father's  name  was  Oliver 
fNillins.  Enlisting  at  tho  a.'2;o  of  six- 
teen, ho  was  for  iivo  years  a  soldier  In 
tlio  Ilovolutlonary  War,  and  was  hon- 
orahly  dischargecl  at  its  termination, 
lie  was  a  brlgadior-general  in  tho  war 
of  j8I2,  and  commanded  the  post  of 
SackettVs  Harbor  two  years.  lie  came 
to  Whitestown  in  1795,  when  the  town- 
lino  of  Whitestown  extended  south  to 
tho  IVnnsylvanIa  line.  lie  "  took  up" 
a  farm  at  this  place,  and  lived  there 
until  his  death,  in  la^S. 

.Mrs.  Doty  was  tho  oldest  of  eight 
children,  'i'lio  maiden-name  of  the 
mother  was  Catherine  Kellogg  of  the 
Massachusetts  Kellogg  stock,  too  nu- 
merous to  be  counted.  Mrs.  Doty  was 
one  of  fivo  daughters,  three  of  whom 
have  resided  in  Wisconsin.  They  are 
Jlrs.  Gen.  lUiggles,  who  now  resides 
in  rond  du  Lac ;  and  Jlrs.  Gen.  Julius 
While,  now  of  Evanston,  III.  Mrs. 
Hugglcs  came  to  Fond  du  Lac  County 
in  ir42;  and  Mrs.  White,  then  Mrs. 
Uarlow  Shackelford,  was  married,  and 
seltled  in  Crrecn  Bay  in  1838,  and  after- 
wards reside<l  for  several  years  in  Mad- 
ison, Wis.  One  of  tlio  three  brothers 
has  resided  bi  this  State.  Judge  Alex- 
ander L.  Ccdiins  came  to  Madison  In 
184'-',  and  lived  there  several  years,  but 
has  since  removed  to  Applcton,  his 
pro.ent  home. 

Mrs.  Doty  lived  In  Whitestown  until 


her  marriage.  In  182.1,  to  .Tnnies  Duana 
Doly,  late  governor  of  Wisconsin,  lint 
Ihcn  th(^  United  .Stales  district  jiidgo 
f<ir  tho  Western  District  of  JIIclii'.;.Vn; 
that  region  comprising  the  iirc^ent 
States  of  Mlcliigiin,  Wisconsin,  Io\v;i, 
and  the  vast  country  adjacent  to  the 
Uucky  Mountains.  She  made  the  voy- 
:\V  by  schooner  from  llnffalo  to  Green 
Uay  In  twcnty-onc  days.  During  the 
sunnner  of  tiiat  year,  she,  with  her 
husband  and  some  "•  IiKlian  voyngenrs," 
travelled  from  Green  Hay  (Fort  llov.anl) 
to  Trairic  du  Chien  (Fmt  ('rawfurd)  in 
a  baik  canoe,  through  the  Fox  and 
Wisconsin  Illvers,  and  afterwards  re- 
turned toGreen  Bay  liy  tho  sanio  rm  e, 
and  in  tho  same  maniior.  It;  mu-t  lio 
remembered  that  Forts  Tloward  and 
Crawford  were  but  froiitier  military 
and  tmding  posts.  About  llic  year 
182(1,  Judge  Doty  liecamo  pernianently 
settled  111  Orecn  Bay.  Fnnii  that  limo 
to  tho  fall  of  1S41,  Mrs.  Doty  spent  her 
time  principally  at  Green  Bay,  occv 
slonaliy  dividing  a  winter  between  her 
father  in  Oneida  County,  and  the  city 
of  Washington,  where  her  husband 
spent  many  of  Ids  winters.  Iler  hus- 
band had  been  appointed  governor  of 
the  Terrltorv  of  Wisconsin  by  John 
Tyler,  .Sept.  iiO,  1841.  Mrs.  Doty  went 
to  Madison  to  reside,  and  rcinained 
tliero  during  lier  husband's  ofliclai 
term.  From  there,  Mrs.  Doty  went 
witli  Iier  husband  to  Doty's  Island,  a 
most  charming  spot  at  the  outlet  of 
Lake  Winnebago,  or,  rather,  it  extends 
along  the  beautifully-gravelled  and 
timbered  shore  of  the  lake,  l)ot\  eon 
tlio  two  outlets  known  as  tho  Mc  la- 
slia  and  tho  Neenah  Clianiiels.  At  Diis 
beautiful  and  lovely  spot,  the  family 
lived  until  tho  spring  of  18(14,  when 
she  went  with  her  husband,  who  h.ad 
Iieen  previously  appointed  Governor  of 
Utah  by  President  Lincoln,  to  Great 
Salt  Laico  City.  Previous  to  this  ap- 
pointment,  ho  had  been  elected  a  dele- 
givte  to  Congress  four  years.  In  about 
a  year  after  their  arrival  at  Salt  lake 
City,  tho  governor  died,  and  was  Imriod 
at  that  place.  Soon  afterward  she  re- 
turned to  Wisconsin,  and  spent  her 
time  principally  with  her  only  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  John  Fitzgerald  of  Oshkosli, 
until  her  death,  "which  occurred  on  the 
twentieth  day  of  February,  1871,  at  the 
residence  of  lier  daughter. 

Mrs.  Doty  was  tho  mother  of  foui 
children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
James  Doty,  her  second  son,  some 
years  ago,  went  to  Washington  Terri- 
tory as  a  companion  in  his  travel,  and 


708 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


ai  privatp  secretary,  to  Gov.  Stevens, 
and  (IJL'd  at  Astoria  soon  after  their 
airiviil.  Ilcr  oliildren  wlio  survive  lior 
are  .Major  (liarlcs  Doty  of  Alton,  111., 
and  Mrs.  Mary  l'itz.i;erald  of  OshUosli, 
who.  at  the  present  writing,  is  spending 
her  time  with  her  family  in  Europe. 

Mrs.  J)oty  was  possessed  of  a  vigor- 
ous constitution  to  withstand  the  hard- 
ships incident  to  early  frontier-life,  and 
of  liigh  mental  and  social  qualities,  as 
well  as  of  strdu?  prat'tical  .sense;  such 
as  were  well  calculated  to  command 
the  friendship  and  respect  of  the  many 
with  whom  she  was  necessarily  brought 
in  contact  during  the  early  settlements 
of  the  Stale,  and  I  he  prominent,  large, 
and  eventful  public  life  of  her  distin- 
guished husband.  Iler  manners  were 
such,  that  she  was  held  in  the  highest 
reijanl  by  those  of  both  high  and  low- 
degree.  Her  memory  is  eherislied  with 
a  lively  respect,  especially  by  the  early 
seniors,  among  whom  she  took  rank 
with  the  oiliest.  By  her  relatives  and 
her  immediate  family  circle,  she  was 
regarded  with  d('ep  affection;  and  her 
inllueiice  will  still  attend  ihem,  though 
she  has  gone  to  the  spirit-worlil. 

Mn-s.  Piiospioii  IJiii-  — This  lady 
was  born  April  II,  ISikH.  in  Adams,  a 

rlaee  nine  miles  from  Sackett's  llar- 
II',  in  ,Iell'i!rson  (Jounly,  N.Y.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Lurania  Ili'wit.  In 
181'J  her  I'.ilher  with  his  family  moved 
to  Vernon.  (.)neida  Counly.  Mr.  Ilew't 
was  in  the  conunissary  department  in 
the  w.ir  of  ISl'J.  Her  homo  then  was 
but  three  miles  from  Sackett's  Harbor. 
Though  quite  young  at  the  time  of  tlu^ 
battle  at  that  place,  she  remembers 
distinctly  .he  low  thundering  sounds 
that  issued  from  the  conflict,  .and  her 
mother  weeping  on  account  of  the  ilan- 
ger  to  which  her  husband  was  exposed 
in  carrying  provisions  to  the  army. 
Those  wlio  are  ai'c|uainted  w!  h  the 
ancestry  of  Mrs.  Bird,  and  her  prede- 
cessors, know  that  they  have  never 
swerved  from  vindicating  a  riglit  prin- 
ciple, and  were  ready,  if  lecessary,  to 
fight  for  Its  defence.  Her  chiliiren, 
one  of  whom  w.is  a  c.iptain.  smved  in 
the  late  Uebeliion,  and  fouglit  on  the 
side  of  the  Federalists.  Her  father 
fouu'ht  with  the  .Vinericaiis  in  the  war  of 
1812.  Her  grandfather  Hewit  was  on 
thes.amesidein  the  Uev.ilntionary  War. 
He  had  one  brother  In  the  same  army, 
and  another  with  the  British.  He  was 
a  M'a-c.iptiiiii.  and  fought  desperately. 
He  was  shipwrecked  once  at  IJiirlgate. 
and  afterwards  was  idiased  by  a  boat 
of  piratical  Turks,  and  was  taken  pris- 


oner, but  not  till  he  had  thrown  over- 
board two  kegs  of  gold  and  silver,  with 
which  the  soldiers  were  to  ho  paid. 
On  account  of  his  superior  knowledge 
of  astronomy,  he  .affrighted  tlie  Turks, 
and  managed  to  escape,  having  been  a 
prisoner  but.  three  months.  He  died 
at  tlu,'  residence  of  Mrs.  Bird's  father, 
Jan.  12,  1812. 

Miss  Hewit  was  married  to  Prosper 
Burgoyne  Bird,  Hee.  2.{,  18-.'0.  It  is 
well  to  state  hero  that  Major  Burgoyne, 
nephew  of  Gen.  Biugoyne  of  i{ev- 
oliitionary  fame,  was  the  maternal 
griuidfather  of  Prosper  B.  Bird.  The 
m.ajor  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  same 
time  his  undo  was,  and  afterwards 
married  ayoungl.uly  wlnmi  he  remem- 
bered to  have  seen  rejoicing  over  their 
fate;  and  to  whom  he  saicl,  "It  may 
bo  fun  for  you;  but  it's  death  to 
us." 

Mrs.  Bird's  first  homo  after  marriage 
was  in  Munnsvilli",  Onolda County.  Af- 
ter living  there  In  years,  she  and  lier 
hns'jand,  with  their  four  cliildren,  tho 
youngest  of  wliich  was  a  mere  infant 
of  si.K  weeks,  left  their  home  in  New 
York  in  January,  18:!7,  to  make  a  ni^w 
one  in  the  distant  West.  They  trav- 
elled with  teams,  their  conveyances 
being  part  of  tho  time  on  wheels,  and 
part  of  Hie  time  on  nnuiers:  one  of 
these  contained  the  goods  packed  in 
the  bottom  of  it;  and,  being  tightly 
clapboardeil.  no  rain  nor  dust  could 
find  an  entrance.  They  went  by  the 
way  of  Lewiston  and  (Jueenstown,  fer- 
ried across  Niagara  Klvor,  and  then 
toidi  a  nKHintain-road  through  Canada 
to  Detroit,  from  which  jilace  they  took 
the  lake-road  around  Michigan  to  lla- 
eine.  The  lirst  night  they  camped  on 
the  old  battlo-tield  of  Lundy's  I,ane. 
One  night  they  stopped  at  a  log-cabin, 
which  was  being  ereeleil  on  the  shores 
of  Lake  Michigan  for  the  jiurpose  of 
accommodating  travellers.  There  wore 
thirty  who  stopped  that  night.  Since 
the  stars  were  plaiidy  visilile  through 
the  roof  and  fhrou'ih  the  sides  of  the 
cabin,  a.:d  since  there  was  danger  of 
their  freezing  to  death,  and  a  liglit 
was  observed  in  the  distance,  they  de- 
cided to  try  to  find  the  place  from 
which  it  proceeded.  They  were  suc- 
C(^ssflll  in  this,  and  were  comfortably 
entertained,  but  not  till  they  had  wit- 
nessed on  their  w.ay  a  party  of  men  at 
work  digging  up  ii  sunken  schooner. 
At  B.acine  they  put  up  rt  tho  hotel, 
the  one  building  which  the  placo  af- 
forded. It  was  built  of  logs,  and  was 
situated  on  tlie  brow  of  ,.  I^luil  that 


Si, 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


709 


overlooked  the  lake.  From  tliis  place 
they  travell('tl  hv  stage  to  Milwaukee. 
Jtr.  William  Bird  of  Madison,  Mr. 
Charles  Bird,  and  Miss  Bird,  afterward 
Jlrs.  Peaslee  of  iSuii  Prairie,  with  their 
mother,  accompanied  them  on  their 
perilous  journey. 

Here  tliey  made  acquaintanee  with 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Solomon  jinieau,  the  real 
founders  of  tlie  city  of  Milwatikee. 
There  were  then  hut  few  houses  in  the 
place.  The  jail,  a  log-house,  contained 
then  three  i)risoners,  —  one  a  French- 
man (if  tjreen  Bay,  who  liad  murdered 
his  wife:  the  others  were  two  survey- 
ors, by,  the  name  of  Beniict  and  Scott, 
who  were  imprisoned  for  stahhin?;  an 
Indian  on  the  ban!:s  of  Milwaukee 
Iiiver,  and  burying  him  on  the  shore  of 
Lake  Michigan.  The  hist  two  prison- 
ers, breaking  from  tlie  jail  while  Mr. 
Juneau  was  absent,  caused  the  In- 
dians to  rush  into  the  place,  threaten- 
ing to  make  cousidcrahle  disturbance. 
Mrs.  Juneau  immediat(!ly  sent  a  French 
boy  for  her  h  -hand  ;  and,  on  his  com- 
ing, lie  quleti  I  them  by  "buying  them 
off  "  witli  articles  from  his  store.  These 
were  the  first  prisoners  in  the  county 
jail  of  Milwaukee.  At  the  time  i,i  the 
first  election,  Mrs,  Bird  was  in  the 
place,  and  s.ays  that  on  that  day  there 
were  not  many  sober  men.  It  was  said 
at  the  time,  that  a  barrel  of  whiskey 
was  opened  by  Mr.  Juneau,  and  a  dip- 
per placed  in  it,  for  the  convenience  of 
voters.  During  tlie  summer  she  wit- 
nessed llio  launching  of  the  (ir»t  boat 
on  Lake  Michigan.  It  was  called 
"  The  Juneau." 

While  Jlrs.  Bird  remained  in  J[il- 
waukee,  Sir.  Bird  huilt  a  home  for 
them  !-.i  Madison,  when  ho  returned 
for  them.  After  they  liad  started  on 
their  journey,  Mr.  Bird  left  them  to  go 
back  to  Milwaukee  to  transact  some 
business  in  regard  to  tlie  new  (^.ipitol, 
which  was  being  buiit,  but  told  her  to 
stop  at  the  first  log-housu  over  night, 
anil  wait  there  for  lilin  the  next  day. 
She  found  the  place  with  no  dllHcnlty ; 
but  as  Mr.  Bird  did  not  come  as  soon 
as  she  anticipated  the  next  morning, 
and  being  an  energetic  woman,  slie  re- 
sumed her  journey.  Mr.  Bird  over- 
took tiiem  about  sundown  of  that  day. 
From  Milwaukee  to  Madison,  they  were 
guided  by  marked  trees,  and  po  ts 
stuck  in  the  ground.  There  w.as  only 
one  house  at  JaiK.'sville;  but,  as  the 
man  was  not  at  home,  Ihoy  could  not 
bo  ferried  across,  and  so  went  by  way 
of  Beloit.  There  were  two  log-houses 
at  that  place,  —  one  on  each  side  of  the 


river.  Hero  they  st.aid  all  ni'j;ht,  and 
most  of  tlie  next  day,  caiiipiir;  out  on 
Stoner"s  I'rairie,  and  arriviiu'  in  Maili- 
son  the  next  <lay.  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
afleriiiion.  Glancing  tlinmgh  the  jut- 
ting houghs  of  the  oak-trees,  the 
basement  of  tiie  Capitol  could  lie  seen. 
The  lakes  glimmered  like  siieets  of 
silver  through  the  oak-opening-  and 
the  thick  foliage  of  tl;e  trees,  and  an 
Indian  trail  pass«d  through  the  place. 
Mr.  IMrd's  unenclosed  frame-building, 
containing  four  rooms  below  and  two 
above,  and  built  on  Lot  H,  mi  the  street 
now  known  as  Webster  .sjtrei't,  was  not 
completed  till  April,  l;s:!8.  Ilenee  they 
lived  in  a  log-house  that  occupied  the 
present  site  of  Mr.  Kenlzler's  elegant 
livery-stable.  They  next  moved  into 
the  "old  log  board  iug-hou>e,"  near  Mr. 
Pynelieon's  prest'ut  residence.  The 
first  well  was  located  opposite  it,  and 
was  dug  in  ls:]7. 

The  men  who  worked  on  the  Capitol 
hoarded  with  Mrs.  Bird.  There  were 
only  four  Ing-houses  when  she  came; 
and  their  owners  were  Messrs.  Cottin, 
Palmer,  Peck,  and  Stoner. 

IJuriiig  llie  winter,  Mr.  Bird  had  the 
typhoid-fever;  and  his  wife  found  her- 
self suddenly  installed  as  physician, 
nurse,  and  servant. 

At  one  lime  consider.ahlo  excitement 
was  cau.-ed  by  a  .<ervant-girl  of  George 
Feather-.loiH'haiigh.  an  kiigli-^h  geolo- 
gi-l,  lindiiig  a  stinking  full  of  French 
ciiin.  It  was  found  near  I  In'  present 
site  of  the  KpiMnpal  C'hureh.  and  w;is 
supposcil  to  have  been  dropped  by 
Indi.in  traders. 

Mrs.  Bird  was  pre-^ent  at  the  first 
wedding-ceremony  in  the  place.  The 
names  of  the  couple  were  Jalru-^  Potti'r 
and  Elizabeth  Allen,  a  vouiig  laily  who 
bad  worked  for  both  her  and  Mrs, 
Peck.  Mr.  Peek  married  them  at  his 
house,  after  which  .Mrs.  I'eck  pi.,  J 
the  violin  for  them  to  dance. 

Tl'cir  provisions  were  brought  from 
Milwauk(ie.  Kurt  Winin'bvgo  (I' irtage 
Citv),  nine  Mound>,  and  Moierai  I'diiil. 
In  'l8.'t8  potatoes  sold  at  iliiee  di. liars 
per  bushel.  'i"he  fruit  procured  in 
those  early  d.avs  was  dricii,  excepting 
those  berries  indigenous  to  the  coun- 
try, wliieh  were  eagerly  sought  by  the 
setth'rs. 

The  first  hou-e  u<ed  for  divine  si^r- 
viee  was  loeateil  near  the  present  East 
Madismi  Hotel. 

Servi<'e<  were  conducted  in  differi'ut 
houses,  and  then,  for  a  while,  in  the 
.Senate-chamber  (d'  the  new  .Stain 
House.     The  Preshytciians    and  the 


710 


niSTOllY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


Coiifjregationalista  united  in  building 
tlie  tii>l  cliuroii. 

At  tliis  tiniu  Mr.  Bird's  raollier  and 
licr  fiunily  wen^  Iweping  tlic  old  Jladi- 
Sion  IIoii.-o.  It  was  liore  tlio  first  deatli 
Ofourn'd.  A  Mi'.  Nelson,  formerly  Irom 
Now  York,  diiid  of  typlioid-fevor,  and 
was  liuriod  in  tlio  prosiMit  University 
grounds.  — a  portion  of  which  was  set 
apart  as  a  ceniotery.  The  second  death 
occurred  in  .Vpril,  18:!8,  in  the  house 
of  Mrs.  Uird,  whieli,  during  a  lienvy 
tliunder-storni,  was  struck  l)y  light- 
ning, instantly  killin:;  a  Mr.  .Samuel 
Warren,  formerly  from  England,  lie 
was  carried  to  the  ecnjetery  on  a 
stretcher,  and  buried  near  tfie  grave 
of  Mr.  Nelson. 

The  clapl).)anl3  and  tlie  floor-Imard?- 
of  Mrs.  HIrd's  liouie,  and  the  palings 
to  the  fence  around  it,  were  made  by 
hand,  near  the  lake-sliore.  Twenty 
births,  seven  deatlis,  and  four  mar- 
riages, Iiave  taken  place  in  lliis  house. 

Mrs.  liird  is  the  mother  of  eleven 
children,  five  of  wliieh  are  now  living 
in  WI>consin,  and  I  lie  others  are  dead. 
Her  luisban<l  died  of  cholera,  on  tlie 
morning  of  Aug.  '2,  1S.')2. 

Mrs.  IJIrd  was  brouglit  up  liy  Chris- 
tian parents,  who  early  taught  their 
children  liow  to  prai-  vn<l  to  read  the 
Bible  underslandingly.  The  religious 
element  predomin.ites  largely  in  lier 
tiMiiperament.  JSlie  Is  a  good,  consistent 
member  of  llie  Congregational  ("hurcli. 
and  has  inipi(!sscd  upon  the  minds  of 
her  chil.lreu  t!ie  purity,  holiness,  and 
grandeur  of  true  religion.  Her  natu- 
ral mental  abililles  are  good;  for  every 
effort  is  characterized  by  strong  practi- 
cal common-sense.  Her  success  in 
pinni'cr  life  is  due  mor  ^  to  force  (d' 
will  than  to  physical  pe  ,er.  It  is  said 
that  lh(!  countena'  ce  is  but  an  em- 
lilcMU  of  till'  wi.iilii';s  of  tlii^  soul. 
The  writer  kno'  s  this  to  be  true  with 
lier;  for  her  f»'  j  is  one  of  flu;  klnde-^t 
and  'be  ;,  t;  and  as  her  stately  form 
gild'  <  about  in  the  dear  old  home,  so 
sacred  to  her.  even  tliougli  it  be  mov<'d 
from  its  original  position,  OIK,' fei'ls  an 
afVecllon  for  licr,  — an  allection  akin  to 
love. 

.Mi;s.  ]!()s,\i,iSE  Peck.  — It  was  in 
MIdiilelown,  a  village  situated  on  a 
iNe  of  ground  we.^t  of  tlie  tJreeii 
Mountains,  Vt.,  and  on  Feb.  24,  bSius, 
tiial  Mrs.  IJosaline  I'ei'k  was  born. 
Her  maiilen  name  was  Wlllard.  She 
v.'as  an  intelligent  girl,  ambitious  and 
energetic,  and  possessed  just  sucli 
(|ualities  as  are  somewhat  natural  to 
those  reared  iu  mountainous  regions, 


and  are  necessary  to  make  pioneer 
work  successful.  On  her  tweniy-first 
birthday  she  was  married,  in  the  house 
in  which  she  was  born,  to  Mr.  Ebeii 
Peck. 

In  July,  lS:!fl,  Mrs.  Peck  and  her 
faiiiily  arrived  at  Bliii!  Mounds,  l),ano 
Cou'ity,  Wis.  They  rented  Col.  Brig- 
ham's  tavern-stand,  and  boarded  him 
.and  his  farming  and  mining  hands 
during  the  autumn  and  winter,  also 
entertaining  travellers.  A  post-oftieo 
had  been  established  there  at  that 
time.  Upon  the  decision  to  remove 
the  capital  from  Belmont  to  Madison, 
they  purchased  lot.s  at  the  lattei  place, 
and  imni<?diately  sent  liands  and  teams 
to  erect  a  building.  This  was  the  first 
house  in  Madison ;  and  a  fine  picture 
in  he  Slate  Historical  Uooms  reprc- 
seiil'i  it  in  its  primitive  condition. 
Mrs.  Peck  rode  an  Indian  pony  in 
coming  from  tiie  Brigham  place  to 
her  new  'noine.  They  cami)ed  out 
two  nights,  but  were  awakiaied  on 
the  latter  one  by  a  severe  wind-stonn, 
ami  furious  howling  of  wolv(^s,  ami 
saw,  to  their  astonishment,  snow  to 
the  depth  of  five  (U-  six  inches.  This 
was  April  15.  The  cliinks  in  her  new 
house  were  filled  wllli  mud  by  ,Iudge 
Doty,  Col.  Biril,  OjI.  Brigham,  and 
others.  Since  her  home  was  floorless, 
she  had  a  temporary  pen  built,  and  her 
stove  carried  In,  and  lived  there  unlil 
May,  when  her  new  home  was  ready 
for  habitation.  (Jii  .June  10  Col.  Bird 
again  arrive<l,  with  a  party  of  thlrly- 
six  men,  to  cominence  building  the 
Capitid.  In  this  hou>e  was  given  the 
dinner  at  the  laying  of  the  corner- 
stone of  the  C.ipitol.'.Iuly  4,  1S:!7;  the 
occasion  being  celebrated  with  due 
form  and  ceremony,  accompanied  with 
siieeches,  songs,  toasts,  itc. 

Here  Wiscoiisiana  Victoria  Peck,  the 
first  chilli,  was  born,  Sept.  14,  18:57. 
The  first  New  Year's  in  Madison  was 
duly  commemorated  at  this  hospita- 
ble home.  The  first  wedding  also  look 
lilaci'liere,  April  1,  18:!8.  .lairusS.  Pot- 
ter, better  known  as  Long  Poller,  was 
married  to  Jliss  Elizabeth  Allen,  by 
Mr.  Peck,  who  was  a  justice  of  tlio 
peace.  This  was  followed  by  a  dance, 
Mrs,  Peck  oflicialing  on  the  violin, — 
an  accomplishment  for  which  she  was 
noted.  In  the  spring  of  I8;!8  Mr.  Peck 
rented  the  house  to  Itobert  L,  Ueain, 
the  father  of  Miss  Viniiie  Ifeam,  llio 
sculptress,  who  was  born  In  Madison, 

Mr.  Peck  had  built  himself  another 
house  previous  to  the  leasing  of  the 
first,     Mrs,  Peck  was  a  good  houac- 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


711 


keeper,  and  rnnde  cveiy  effort  to  do 
ivway  witli  the  inconveiiioiices  tlia* 
surroiindod  lier.  Being  something  oi 
a  musician,  she  often  entertained  her 
guests  with  music.  New  Year's,  Christ- 
mas, and  turtle-soup  suppers,  dancing 
and  card  parties,  were  instituted  by 
her,  tliereliy  aiding  much  in  Ijeeping 
up  the  spirits  of  tlie  early  settlers: 
besides,  slie  well  knew,  that,  with  but 
little  circulation  of  literature,  the  chief 
mode  of  culture  was  sociality. 

Mrs.  Peck  was  not  only  the  first 
settler  in  Madison,  but  was  the  first 
settler  in  Uarraboo. 

In  1844  her  husband  started  for 
California,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
been  massacred  by  tlie  savages  while 
on  his  way.  Though  sixty-seven  years 
of  age,  she  lives  a)^ne  in  the  upper 
part  of  the  i..»'>"-  she  had  built  in 
Barraboo.  She  says  she  "lias  had  a 
full  share  of  life's  troubles  and  of 
life's  disappointments,  and  but  few  of 
its  favors." 

Mrs.  Pock  is  a  lady  a  little  above  the 
medium  height,  and  possesses  a  coun- 
tenance which  indicates  much  thought 
and  perseverance.  Untiring  energy 
characterizes  her  efforts;  and,  withal, 
she  has  those  traits  of  temperament 
which  so  W'll  qualified  her  for  active 
pioneer  work. 

Mns.  RiiBEccv  PAnKixsojf. — This 
lady,  who  was  the  wife  of  Col.  Daniel 
M.  Parkinson  of  Lafayette  County,  Wis- 
consin, was  born  in  December,  17.'!8,  in 
AVoodford  County,  Kentucky.  She  was 
the  oldest  daughter  of  Joshua  and 
Anno  Brent.  When  she  was  quite 
young,  her  father  died,  ioaving  her 
mother  with  a  large  family  of  children 
to  support,  and  with  but  moderate 
means.  In  1823  Mrs.  Brent  removed, 
with  her  family,  to  Illinois,  and  settled 
in  Sangamon  County,  twenty -live 
miles  east  of  where  Springfield  has 
been  since  built.  It  was  in  this  un- 
cultivated rej,iou  that  slie  l)ecame  ac- 
quainted with,  and  afterward  marrieil, 
in  May,  1820,  Air.  Parkinson,  a  wid- 
ower, with  one  'iv  more  children.  In 
the  autumn  of  lL'27,  she  removed,  with 
her  husband  and  family,  to  the  thim 
"Galena  Mining  Country."  As  her 
husband  was  engaged  in  mining,  they 
were  obliged  to  move  often,  until  the 
spring  of  1S29,  when  they  opened  a 
tavern  in  Mineral  Point,  a  settlement 
which  was  then  the  most  Important  in 
the  l(^•ld-reglon.  She  soon  became  a 
most  excellent  and  popular  landlady; 
her  table  noted  for  the  tasteful  array 
of  a  bounteous  supply  of  viands,  and 


for  the  good  old  Kentuclcy  cheer  and 
hospitality  which  characterized  the 
dispensing  of  them. 

She  was  gay  and  fashionable;  and, 
being  particularly  fond  of  dancing,  she 
often  gave  entertainments  of  this  kind 
at  her  own  house.  Her  house  —  which 
was  large  and  commodious,  being  built 
after  the  Southern  style  —  caused  these 
occasions  to  be  the  more  heartily  ap- 
preciated by  the  young  people  in  that 
vicinity. 

Being  born,  and  partly  acquiring  her 
habits,  in  the  "Blue  Grass  Counti-y" 
of  Kentucky,  she  partook  of  the  pecu- 
liarities of  the  ladies  of  that  place, 
in  being  very  fond  of  the  horse,  and 
of  horseback  exercise.  She  thought 
nothing  of  putting  her  horse  to  its 
best  speed ;  and  often,  in  company 
with  her  husband,  would  race  over 
the  smooth  prairies  of  Illinois.  Some- 
times a  wolf  would  be  just  in  front  of 
them  for  many  a  mile,  the  chasing 
and  killing  of  wliich  was  considered 
rare  sport  and  amusement  by  the  early 
settlers  of  that  State.  She  was  aNo 
fond  of  the  race-cpurse,  and  of  tin 
"backed"  with  considerable  liberal- 
ity the  favorite  horse  of  her  husband, 
which  was  known  to  be  tcoessful 
racer. 

After  several  years'  reniJenee  In 
Mineral  Point,  Mrs.  Parklii  u  and 
her  husband  removed  to  a  faini,  tj\e 
miles  distant,  in  the  town  of  Willow 
Springs,  where  she  remained  until  her 
deatli.  At  this  place  she  took  much 
pride  in  a  beautiful  and  cleanly  door- 
yard,  an  excellent  garden,  and  a  fine 
(lock  of  po\iltry.  The  hospitality  of 
(-'ol.  Parkinson  and  his  excellent  wife 
is  known  throughout  the  State. 

Beloved  and  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  her,  her  death,  whicli  occurred 
June  13, 184.1,  was  sincerely  mourned, 
and  her  memory  is  fondly  cherished. 
The  attributes  of  her  character  were 
industry,  hospitality,  generosity,  and 
integrity,  united  with  a  most  obliging 
and  affable  disposition. 

Mits.  LoBi.vDA  Campbell.  —  This 
lady  is  the  oldest  daughter  of  Sylvester 
mil,  and  wife  of  James  Campbell, 
president  of  the  Ma<Iison  and  Portage 
liailroad,  who  is  well  known  througli- 
out  this  State  as  a  railroad  contractor. 
She  was  born  in  Truxtun,  near  Syra- 
cuse, Oneida  County,  N.Y. 

She,  with  her  ])arents,  commenced 
their  journey  to  tlie  West  in  Septem- 
ber, 1838,  travelling  with  teams,  as  was 
at  that  time  the  usual  mode  of  ron- 
veyauce. 


if 


712 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


Arriving  in  Wisconsin,  they  located 
on  a  fami  about  ten  miles  distant  from 
Monroe,  in  Green  County,  and  imme- 
diately commenced  the  work  of  erect- 
ing a  log-house,  which,  at  that  time,  was 
almost  the  only  kind  known  in  the 
West.  Logs  sawed  in  two  were  called 
"shakers,"  and  were  used  for  roofing; 
and  hewed  logs  were  used  for  flooring. 
The  furniture  of  log-houses  in  those 
days  was  exceedingly  plain.  Instead 
of  chairs,  stools  were  used.  Home-made 
tables  were  found  to  be  sufficiently  ex- 
tensive and  at  which  a  family  might 
ea.sily  be  seated ;  and  it  has  been  proven 
that  savory  viands  are  relished  just 
as  much  on  a  saiuled  iiine  table  as  on 
a  painted  one.  Bedsteads  were  made 
by  nailing  two  small  logs  against  the 
Bide  of  the  liouse,  and  these  joined  by 
another  log. 

Miss  Ilill  was  married  to  James 
Campbell  in  1840,  ho  having  come  in 
183i),  at  which  time  there  were  only 
sixteen  men  in  the  county.  Their  lirst 
home  was  on  a  farm  almost  a  mile 
from  the  village  of  Albany.  Tlicir 
house  was  frame ;  and  a  few  years  later 
Mr.  Campbell  erected  a  barn  of  pine 
lumber.  This  he  hauled  two  hundred 
and  fifty  miles.  They  lived  on  the 
farm  till  18.")1,  when  Mr.  Campbell  went 
to  Albany,  Green  County,  and  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business,  continuing 
in  the  same  till  1802.  Since  that  time 
they  have  travelled  considerably,  Mrs. 
Campbell  going  once  with  her  husband 
to  Europe. 

Their  home  is  now  in  Portage  City. 

She  is  mother  of  three  children,  one 
of  whom  is  living,  a  daughter,  wlm 
married  a  son  of  Judge  Clinton,  and 
resides  in  Portage  City. 

Mrs.  Campbell  is  a  lady  of  excee<l 
ingly  pleasant  manner,  kind,  and  char- 
itable :  she  is  ever  willing  to  yield  her 
desires  to  the  wishes  of  others. 

Mrs.  ElizjUjetu  Kline.  —  Among 
the  names  of  the  early  settlers  of  Wis- 
consin Is  that  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Kline. 
She  was  born  in  the  f)ld  city  of  Stras- 
bourg, Nov.  8, 1780.  Her  maiden  name 
was  Kapp.  In  ISll  she  was  married  to 
George  Kline.  With  her  husband  and 
three  ohildron,  she  c.ime  to  America, 
landing  .it  Queliec,  Canada,  in  1817. 
They  jived  at  Quebec  until  18'10,  and 
then  came  to  the  United  Stales,  ami  set- 
tled in  Grove,  Alleghany  Coiuity,  N.  Y., 
where  they  resided  until  the  fall  of  ' 
183(!.  Fro'in  there  tlii-y  travelled  in  a 
wagon  to  Olean  Point  on  the  Alleghany 
Hiver  in  ''ennsylvania,  and,  embark- 
ing with  their  goods  on  a  raft,  they  , 


reached  Cincinnati.  Here  taking  ii 
river-steamer,  they  sailed  down  the 
Ohio,  and  up  the  Mississippi  Kivers,  to 
New  Boston  in  Henderson  County, 
III.,  at  which  place  they  resided  until 
September,  1843,  when  they  struck  out 
for  the  wilderness  of  the  Wisconsin 
Pinery.  They  journeyed  by  the  way 
of  Janesville,  Madison,  and  Portage, 
and  found  these  places  in  tlieir  infancy. 
On  their  arrival  at  Grand  Uapids,  they 
found  but  one  white  woman,  a  Mrs. 
Strong,  who  had  migrated  to  that  place 
the  year  previously.  Mrs.  Kline  re- 
sided there  until  the  time  of  her  death, 
which  occurred  in  August,  18(10;  and, 
while  she  lived  in  Grand  liaplds,  she 
never  travelled  farther  than  twenty 
miles  from  her  home. 

Five  of  her  eight  children  are  now 
living.  William,  Karl,  and  Elizabeth 
(now  Mrs.  U.  Baker)  make  their  home 
in  Grand  Rapids.  Leah, the  wife  of  J.K. 
Searl,  lives  in  Davies  Corners,  Adams 
County ;  and  a  son  in  California.  Her 
son  John  died  in  Illinois. 

Her  descendants  are  somewhat  nu- 
merous; the  grandchildren  luimbering 
thirty-two,  and  the  greal-grandchiidren 
fourteen. 

Jlrs.  Kline  was  always  a  hard  worker, 
and  one  of  that  class  of  women  who 
are  especially  endowed  by  Nature  to  be 
the  helpmeet  of  a  pioneer  of  the  wilder- 
ness. There  are  but  few  women  and 
fewer  men  who  have  the  courage  to 
overstep  the  bcmndary  line  to  perform 
the  work  of  the  opposite  sex,  and  do 
their  own  al  the  same  time.  But  many 
a  day  did  this  bravo  and  energetic 
woni;iii  not  only  attend  to  her  house- 
hold iliilies,  but  went  into  the  woods 
and  di'l  liu'work  of  a  man.  Strong 
pby.-ical  and  mental  power  was  com- 
bined ill  her  nature  with  surprising 
activity.  Reward  usually  goes  hand 
in  hand  with  energy  and  perseverance; 
and,  since  these  elements  w(ue  charac- 
teristic of  her  efforts,  her  reward  was 
not  only  substantial,  but  was  realized 
by  the  influence  wielded  in  tlie  com- 
munity in  which  she  lived. 

Mrs.  Josette  Junkai'.  —  Josette 
Juneau,  a  daughter  of  Jaoi|ues  Vioau, 
late  of  Green  Bay,  was  horn  in  April, 
1804.  She  resided  at  Green  Bay  and 
vicinity  until  182l>,  wlnn  she  married 
Solomon  Juneau,  who  as  tlu'u  en- 
gaged as  a  trader  on  ilie  spot  where 
the  city  of  Milwauk^i'  now  stands. 
Soon  .after  her  marrin  ;.',  she  removed 
thither,  and  shared  wiili  her  husb.ind 
the  hardsliips  aixl  self-denials  of  a 
border-life.    For  thirteen  years,  there 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONHIN. 


713 


was  scarcoly  nn  incident  to  break  this 
iiionotimous  mode  of  living,  since  the 
nearest  white  settlements  were  Green 
Bay  on  the  north,  and  Chicago  on  the 
south. 

In  1833  the  tide  of  emiciration,  flow- 
ing into  the  Mississippi  Valley,  found 
its  way  to  this  locality,  which  was  then 
known  only  as  a  trading-post.  Very 
soon  the  spirit  of  enterprise  projected 
a  city;  and,  its  superior  advantages 
becoming  generally  known,  tlie  spot 
for  so  long  a  period  marked  only  by 
a  trader's  cabin  became  a  large  and 
populous  city,  and  the  abode  of  civil- 
ization and  refinement. 

Mrs.  Juneau  lived  to  witness  these 
important  changes;  and  she  did  her 
part  toward  laying  the  foundations  of 
society  in  that  place  for  future  gene- 
rations. Educated  in  the  Catholic  faith, 
she  remained  for  many  years  a  member 
of  that  church.  Shedied  in  Milwaukee, 
Nov.  li),  18.)o,  in  the  fifty-second  year 
of  her  age. 

Miis.  Samuel  St.  Johx.  —  Mrs. 
Samuel  St.  John  was  the  first  white 
woman,  the  first  mother,  and  the  first 
being  to  yield  up  the  spirit  to  the  God 
who  g.'ive  it,  in  the  place  now  known 
as  Janesville,  During  the  month  of 
November,  18;).").  Mr.  Samuel  St.  John 
arrived  from  Vermont  with  his  wife 
and  three  children.  Their  cabin  was 
built  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  on  wliicii 
now  stands  the  elegant  residence  of 
Capt.  Ira  Miltimorc. 

And  as  Mrs.  St.  John  looked  from 
her  cabin-door  across  the  river,  she 
could  see  the  celebrated  "  Big  Rock  " 
known  by  various  appellations  in  dif- 
ferent periods  of  time.  In  those  days, 
the  "rock"  was  about  a  third  larger 
than  at  the  present  time.  It  was  then 
a  renowned  spot  to  the  Indians,  and 
had  been  from  time  immemorial ;  being 
the  place  where  Black  Hawk  held  his 
court.  To  the  fur-traders,  it  was  pi'om- 
inent  as  a  place  of  reixlezvous,  and  as  a 
point  where  Rock  liiver  could  be  con- 
veniently forded  during  most  portions 
of  the  year. 

Speculations  in  public  land  did  not 
enter  into  the  creed  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  St. 
Jolin.  They  came  to  this  spot  to  secure 
a  home  for  tli.ins^lves  and  their  chil- 
dren, not('re.uning  i!:.it  a  city  of  10,11") 
inhabitants  would  spread  itself  over  a 
partof  theiraiul  theirneighboi-s'  claims. 
At  that  time,  the  little  Janesville  con- 
Bisted  of  but  one  family  of  nine  per- 
cons,  four  of  whom  were  pioneers 
boarding  with  Mrs.  St.  Jidm. 

Thus    the  winter  of    1833-00  com- 


menced. In  the  month  of  Jainiary, 
the  small  company  was  increa'^ed  by 
the  addition  of  an  infant  son  to  the 
family  of  Mr.  St.  John,  who  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  the  first  white  child 
born  in  the  Upper  Rock  River  Valley. 
His  name  is  Seth  B.  St.  John,  cousin 
of  the  present  mayor  of  Janesville, 
and,  when  last  heard  from,  was  living 
at  Columbus,  in  this  State.  In  the 
same  month.  Dr.  James  Heath  arrived 
with  his  wife,  and,  taking  >ip  their 
abode  with  them,  made  twelve  persons 
in  the  little  cabin,  which  was  only 
eighteen  by  sixteen  feet. 

Mrs.  St.  John  was  a  hospitable  and 
an  unusually  energetic  woman,  though 
at  this  time  her  health  was  very  i)oor. 
She  gradually  failed  physically;  fi)rher 
heart  was  overburdened  with  anxiety 
as  to  the  future  of  her  little  family, 
and  the  care  of  heads  of  families  under 
her  roof,  whose  households  were  wait-  ^ 
ing  Ihe  return  of  these  pioneers  to 
take  them  to  Black  Hawk's  stamping- 
ground,  that  they  might  share  the  toils 
of  the  wife  and  mother  \\\\o  was  doing 
so  nobly  for  theil-  loved  absent  ones. 
Faithfully  did  she  peiforni  lier  duties; 
and,  like  the  mothers  of  the  Red  Men 
in  the  primeval  forests,  she  scarcely 
stopped  in  her  busy  round  of  care  till 
the  voice  of  the  new-boin  babe  was 
heard.  Eight  months  had  not  passed 
since  she  came  to  make  her  home  in 
these  western  wild",  when  death 
claimed  her  as  his  first  victim,  in  which 
is  now  "the  bower  city  of  tlie  West." 
.\fter  a  decline  of  some  months'  con- 
tinuance, and  the  want  of  medical  at- 
tendance, as  well  as  the  shelter  anil 
the  care  necessary  to  the  mother  of  an 
infant  chilit,  Mrs.  Samuel  St.  John  died 
in  the  month  of  June,  183l(. 

It  should  be  noted  here,  also,  that 
Mr.  St.  John,  her  husband,  who  had  in 
later  years  removed  from  Janesville,  re- 
turned to  visit  his  brother,  and  here 
<lied,  his  remains  being  deposltiMl  by 
the  side  of  his  wife.  This  spot  is 
marked  by  a  tombstone,  upon  an  emi- 
nence near  tlu^  load  leading  to  Beloit, 
and  in  full  view  as  one  turns  the  bend 
of  the  river  off  Main  Street. 

Mjits.  A.M.uiLE  Roy.  — This  lady  was 
probably  the  first  white  woman  in  Wis- 
consin, at  least  the  first  one  that  lived 
in  the  first  permanent  settlement  in 
the  State.  She  was  the  daughtcM-  of 
.Sieur  Augustin  I)e  Langlade.  He  was 
a  native  of  France,  and  born  about 
1(!!).">.  His  family  were  of  the  niil)iliiy, 
and  had  their  castle.  For  the  most 
l)art,  and  perhaps  all,  of  his  American 


rl4 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


life,  M.  Da  Lansliide  was  nn  Iiulian 
trader.  It  is  (|ulte  probable  that  he 
had  the  entire  control  of  the  trade  at 
Mackinaw,  having  obtained  a  license 
from  the  French  (jovornmont  in  Cana- 
da for  that  purpose.  While  there,  ho 
married  tlio  sister  of  the  head  Ottawa 
cliiof.  Kin;?  Nissowaquet;  or,  as  the 
French  called  him,  "  La  Fourche,"  or 
the  Fork.  Their  eldest  child.  Agate 
—  Madame  IJoy  —  was  born  at  Macki- 
naw, about  1722.  Her  brother  Charles 
was  bom  at  or  near  Mackinaw,  in  1724, 
and  afterwards,  two  younger  brothers, 
and  a  sister,  who  married  Mr.  De  Ver- 
ville. 

Mile.  De  Langlade  inariied  M.  Sou- 
liguy.  who  is  represented  as  a  man  of 
scverily  and  cruelly,  which  he  had  per- 
haps learned  while  an  officer  in  the 
French  army.  Madame  Souligny,  with 
her  husband,  her  father  and  his  family, 
went  to  Green  Bay  about  174,),  and 
made  their  home  at  that  ))l,ice.  They 
settled  on  the  east  side  of  Fox  River, 
near  its  mouth,  somewhat  above  and 
opposite  the  old  French  post,  and  about 
where  Judge  Arndt  resided,  in  the 
upper  end  of  Green  Bay.  Tills  was 
the  first  permanent  settlement  made  In 
Wisconsin.  It  is  esi'mated  that  this 
little  colony  numberea  but  eight  i)er- 
sons. 

Augustin  De  Langlade  died  about 
1077,  at  the  age  of  soventy-i.'ve  nearly, 
and  is  buried  in  the  old  coi  letery  in 
Green  Bay.  It  is  supposed,  t)  at,  after 
his  death,  Madame  De  Lang' ido  went 
to  live  with  her  relatives  at  >  ackinaw. 
But  the  last  known  of  her  Is,  t  lat,  about 
ten  years  after.  Gov.  Sinclair  gave 
"Madame  Do  Langlade  permission  to 
go  to  Green  Bay,  and  enter  into  i)os- 
session  of  her  houses,  gardens,  farms, 
and  projjcrty,  and  take  a  hired  man 
with  her."  Her  brother  Nissowaquct 
is  said  to  have  been  living  as  late  as 
1709. 

After  M.  Souligny's  death,  Mad.amo 
Soullgny  married  Amable  Boy,  an  In- 
dian trader,  whose  native  place  was 
Montreal.  He  went  to  farming  after 
their  marriage.  Madame  Hoy  never  had 
any  children;  but  her  brotlicr's  grand- 
son, Louis  Grignon,  lived  with  them 
from  childhood.  At  this  time,  cur- 
rants were  numerous  In  Green  Bay; 
but  Madame  Roy  had  the  first  and  the 
only  apple-tree  in  herocB/mn/,  till  1810, 
when  some  were  brought  into  the 
place. 

Her  brother  Charles  died  In  1800, 
and  was  buried  beside  his  father.  He 
died  at  the  ago  of  seventy-five.     Ma- 


dame Roy  died  the  year  after,  in  1801. 
She  willed  all  iter  property  to  her  hus- 
band; and,  about  one  year  after  her 
death  he  died,  leaving  tlie  proixjrty  to 
Louis  Grignon. 

Mus.  Mauy  a.  Menard.  —  Among 
the  many  notable  characters  found  in 
Prairie  du  Clilen  In  V<l'i.  and  earlier.  Is 
one  Mrs.  Menard  of  mixed  African  and 
white  blood.  '  In  former  times  she 
lived  in  one  of  the  French  villages  be- 
low, and  was  there  married  to  Charles 
Menard,  a  Canadian  of  French  extrac- 
tion. She  liad  been  married  twice  pre- 
viously; first  to  a  man  by  tlie  name  of 
Du  Chonquette,  by  whom  she  had  two 
sons,  one  of  whom  was  in  the  employ 
of  Mr.  Astor  in  his  unfortunate  expe- 
dition, in  1810,  by  se.a,  and  across  the 
continent,  to  the  moutli  of  Columbia 
River,  now  Oregon  Territory,  ller 
next  husband  was  named  Gagnler,  by 
whom  she  had  three  sons  and  thi-ce 
daughters.  After  the  death  of  Mr. 
Gagnler,  she  married  Charles  Meiiard, 
by  whom  she  had  tlirco  sons  and  two 
daughters.  She  was  generally  called 
"Aunt  Mary  Ann;''  and  with  the  early 
pioneers,  she  was  a  person  of  much 
consequence,  being  the  only  one  who 
made  any  pretence  to  a  knowledge  of 
the  healing-art. 

Until  a  fort  was  erected  in  Prairie 
du  Chien,  and  a  surgeon  arrived  there 
with  the  troops,  she  was  sent  for  by 
the  sick,  and  attended  them  as  regu- 
larly as  a  physician,  and  cliarged  fees 
tlierefor,  giving  them,  as  she  expressed 
it,  "devise  and  yarb  drink,"  Slie  was 
an  e.\cellont  nurse;  and,  even  after 
there  were  regular  surgeons  of  tl»e 
army  stationed  at  Fort  Crawford,  Mrs. 
Menard  continued  to  practise  among 
tho  inhabitants.  Whether  slie  was 
employed  because  they  had  more  faith 
in  her  skill,  or  because  tliey  could  pay 
h(!r  with  more  ea»e,  —  as  her  fees  were 
paid  In  tlie  produce  of  the  country, 
though  she  was  not  very  modest  in  Iu>r 
charges,  —  cannot  be  with  certainty 
stated;  and  frequently  after  the  army- 
physician  had  attended  a  patient  a  long 
time,  who,  perhaps,  for  want  of  good 
nursing,  could  not  be  eurwl,  "  Aunt 
Mary  Ann  "  would  take  him  liome  with 
her,  and  by  the  force  of  good  nur~lug, 
with  a  little  "yarb  drink,"  would  re- 
store him  to  perfect  heallii ;  so  tliat  tho 
physician  was  often  joked  about  her 
superior  skill. 

The  following  storj'  is  related  about 
lier  husband,  Charles  Menard.  Ho 
was  once  arrested  on  tho  charge  of 
having  sold  whiskey  to  the  soidiei's. 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


"lo 


Ho  was  brought  about  five  milfis  from 
his  rosiiloiice  under  ;i  Hiiard,  tried  Iiy  a 
court-iiiiulial.  whipiit'd,  and,  wilh  a 
1)  )ttle  huiij^  to  liis  nculi,  niureliod 
tliroii'^li  the  streets  witli  inusie,  play- 
lii'.';  the  '•K(i;;ii(!'s  March"  after  liini. 
Sir.  Jleiiard  protested  that  lie  liad  not 
sold  liiinor  to  the  soldiers,  but  that 
they  had  asked  liiin  for  it,  and  that  ho 
refused  to  let  theiu  liave  any,  as  he  did 
not  Iveep  liquor  for  sale. 

At  the  last  accounts,  many  of  her 
descendants  resided  in  Prairie  du  Chien, 
and  were  Keiiorally  as  industrious  and 
orderly  inhabitants  as  any  others. 

Miss  Nancy  Smith.  —  "  Aunt  Nan- 
cy," as  many  of  her  old  friends  and 
former  pupils  deliptlit  to  call  her,  is  one 
of  the  pioneer  school-teachers  of  Wis- 
consin, ,She  was  born  in  the  State  of 
Vermont  nearly  seventy  years  .acfo. 
Po-<sesN|n5  a  naturally  active  and  In- 
telligent mind,  with  a  thoiou,nlily-prac- 
tii.'al  education,  acquired  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  iiiid  a  charitable  and  sym- 
pathetic heart,  replete  with  a  stroii;; 
love  for  the  children  and  the  youth  of 
th(?  community  in  whieli  she  lived,  she 
was  eminently  succosst'iil  as  a  teaclier. 
But  her  attention  was  not  given  to  lier 
si'hool-dutii's  exclusively;  for  she  was 
often  found  in  tho  house  of  poverty 
and  distress. 

Since  her  removal  to  this  State,  her 
home  lias  been  in  the  soulherii  part. 
At  (irst  she  lived  with  her  brotliiM'  in 
Iowa  County,  but  afterwards  willi  her 
parents  in  Moscow.  After  the  death 
of  tlie  father,  the  motlier  vi-ited,  liist 
with  one  child,  and  tlien  another. 

"Aunt  \ancy"  comiueueed  teaching 
about  litly  years  ago,  and  taught  for 
nearly  forty  years,  ilueh  development 
has  he'll  made  in  tlie  sehool-aystem 
since  Xw.r  lirst  pupils  used  to  sit  on  the 
benches  in  tho  little  lug  schoolhou-o, 
which  was  as  good  as  the  Sliito  alToid- 
ed ;  but  no  developiiient  li.vs  been  made 
in  tiie  strength  of  pure  frlend>liip 
which  e.Ki>led  belween  teacher  and 
scholars.  Many  of  biu'  students  would 
cordially  grasp  her  baud  to  give  her  a 
hearty  welcome  to  their  finvside,  if  they 
could  but  see  the  dark-haired  woman 
whose  stately  form  is  yet  quite  erect. 

Miss  Smith  is  an  earnest,  active 
Christian,  a  consistent  nieniberof  tlio 
Melliodist-Kpiscopal  Church,  to  which 
sh<!  lias  belonged  from  childhood.  In 
earlier  days,  it  was  the  custom  of  the 
people  to  invite  iter  to  address  them  in 
the  al)sence  of  their  pastor,  whicli  she 
did  ill  a  clear,  forcible,  and  impressive 
inanuer. 


After  removing  from  Sfoscow,  she 
taught  several  years  in  Argyle  and 
vicinity,  from  which  place  she  went  to 
Evaiisville  for  the  purpo.--e  of  educating 
her  adopted  daughter. 

Mus  Fka.\(i;.'i  A.  Fakwelf-. — Mrs. 
Frances  A.  P'arwell,  wife  of  e.x-Gov. 
Leonard  ,J.  Farwell,  was  the  daughter 
of  Gen.  A.  N.  Corss,  who  located  in 
M.adison  with  his  family  about  twenty- 
three  yeai's  ago.  Mrs.  Farwell  was 
then  a  young  lady,  and  her  future  hus- 
band was  governor  of  tho  State.  Be- 
ing a  woman  of  natural  grace  and 
beauty,  to  wliich  was  added  the  high 
cultivation  derived  from  superior  edu- 
iMiinn  and  extensive  reading,  she  at 
once  became  a  general  fa\orite  in  the 
society  of  Madison,  to  which  she  was  a 
great  a<?cession. 

In  the  fall  of  1853,  while  he  was  yet 
i  governor,  Mr.  Farwell  and  Miss  Corss 
'  were  united  in  marriage,  and  settled  at 
once  in  ;i  new  residence  tliat  had  been 
erected  the  summer  before  on  a  point 
on  the  shore  of  Lake  Meudota  some 
seven  miles  from  the  city.  All  resi- 
dents of  that  day  renu-nibor  the  groat 
pleasure  they  experienced  in  calling 
upou  the  happy  couple  in  their  new 
homo,  and  the  cordial  reception  with 
which  the  dark-eyed,  stately  bride  and 
her  noble  husband  greeted  tlieni.  For 
many  years  they  resided  in  Madison 
and  at  their  countiy  home;  and  wher- 
ever she  was,  in  her  dwh  house,  or  in 
any  social  gathering,  Mrs.  Farwell  was 
tlie  object  of  attraiUion  and  respect. 
Always  agreeable,  amiable,  and  lady- 
like, she  won  the  esleeni  of  all  who  be- 
came acquainted  willi  her;  and  it  was 
a  d<'ep  sMUrco  of  regret  to  her  many 
friends  when  cireunistances  rendered 
it  necessary  tli.it  her  ie-*ideiice  hero 
should  be  terminated  for  a  lime;  but 
all  had  luiped  her  ab-eiice  would  bo 
only  tcmpnrary.  But  this  was  not  to 
be. 

.\fter  a  long  and  painful  illness,  >\m 
died  in  the  city  of  Wa~liingloii,  on 
Sunday  morning.  March  l.j,  1SIj8,  aged 
only  thirty-seven  years.  Slie  left  a 
liusband  and  three  childien.  Their 
loss  is  irreparable;  for,  as  a  wife  aiid 
mother,  she  was  a  model.  As  a  daugh- 
ter, sister,  and  friend,  she  was  h'*;hly 
beloved.  Her  iilea-ant  smile,  genial 
manners,  and  Cliiistiaii  example,  are 
removed  from  them  forever;  but  mem- 
ory will  cause  tlieiii  to  be  cherished 
fondly  and  kindly  in  the  inmost  re- 
cesses of  I  lie  heart. 

Mus.  DoiioriiEA  G.  Dodge.  —  Tho 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  boru  auJ 


71G 


ni STORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


oducuted  in  WimUorConnty,  Vermont. 
II<!r  maiilnn  name  was  Pierce.  At  tlie 
n,m!  r)£  eiuliteen  slio  was  married  to  Joliii 
Dodiie,  and  soon  after,  on  Auu.  7, 18;i", 
started,  in  company  witli  fourteen  olli- 
crs.  for  llie  wilderness  of  Wisconsin, 
taliinj;  willi  them  seven  liorses  and  two 
covered  waj?ons. 

They  arrived  at  tlie  place  now  linown 
as  Vernon,  Waukesha  County,  Wis., 
Sept.  13,  having  been  thirty-seven  days 
mal\in,!{  the  journey.  Here  she  met  her 
husband,  who  the  year  previous  had 
come  West,  and  built  a  log-cabin,  twelve 
by  fourteen  feet,  on  Section  27,  Town 
5,  north  in  r.ange  19  east,  .afterward 
named  Verncm.  On  the  lirst  night 
after  her  arrival,  twenty-seven  slept  in 
the  same  log-house,  linding  sleep  wher- 
ever and  whenever  it  could  be  found; 
but  on  the  following  day  some  of  the 
party  left  for  other  claims.  At  this 
time,  flour  sold  for  twenty-nine  dollars 
per  barrel,  and  pork  for  twenty-two 
dollars  per  barrel :  they,  however,  lived 
mostly  on  potatoes,  turnips,  and  white 
beans,  until  crops  could  be  raised:  and 
were  without  butter  until  the  follow- 
ing spring. 

Years  i)assed  by,  and  the  rude  log- 
cabin  gave  way  to  better  and  more 
commodious  buildings,  and  many  im- 
provements have  been  added  to  their 
fann.  It  was  here  that  lier  children 
were  born,  and  hero  where  her  loving, 
kind,  and  noble  husband  died. 

Mr.s.  Uodge,  and  the  ladies  who 
accompanied  her,  were  probably  the 
first  settlers  in  tlie  place,  wliere  slie  has 
resided  for  a  jieriod  of  over  tliirty-seven 
years,  and  still  resides,  beloved  and  re- 
Bpected  by  all  who  know  lier. 

Mus.  Makia  Louisa  Mills.  — 
Prominent  aiixjng  the  early  settlers  of 
Madison  is  Mrs.  Maria  Louisa  Mills, 
the  wife  of  (ion.  Simeon  Mills,  and  a 
daughter  of  Church  Smith.  Slie  was 
born  in  Sandistield,  Berkshire  County, 
Mass.,  on  May  :il,  181.).  Her  early  edu- 
cation was  acquired  at  this  place. 
When  she  was  about  twelve  years  of 
age,  lier  father  removed  witli  his  fam- 
ily to  Austiid)urg,  Ashtabula  County, 
O.,  where  slie  resided  at  the  time  of 
her  marriage.  In  1834  she  was  mar- 
ried to  Simeon  Mills.  They  made  their 
first  home  in  J<'tTerson,  tlie  county-seat 
of  Ashtabula  County.  Hero  they  re- 
sided till  tlicy  located  in  Ma<lison,  in 
June.  18:!8,  at  which  time  the  entire 
population  of  Dane  County  consisted 
of  about  four  families.  They  came  by 
Bteamer  from  Northern  Ohio  to  Mil- 
waukee: from  there,   Mrs.   Mills  and 


her  sister —  now  Mrs.  Gen.  George  De- 
hiplaine  of  the  lalter  place  —  roilo  on 
tli<'  top  of  a  wagon-load  of  gnods.  The 
journey  was  long  and  oxeeedingly  te- 
dious ;  and  the  positions  the  ladies  wore 
obliged  to  assume  could  not  be  tlie 
most  comfortable.  The  route  was  cir- 
cuitous; and  between  Jaiiosville  and 
Madison,  a  distance  of  about  forty 
miles,  there  was  no  house  or  road. 
They  were  three  days  on  their  journey, 
and  camped  out  two  nights,  during 
which  time  they  were  sutticiently  an- 
noyed by  the  mosquitoes.  In  tliose 
days,  tlie  whole  cimntry  was  sparsely 
populated ;  and  a  visit  to  a  near  neigh- 
bor would  often  involve  a  ride  of  from 
twenty  to  forty  miles.  At  the  present 
time,  tiiere  is  but  one  woman  in  Madi- 
son or  in  Dane  County  who  was  Ikmc 
at  the  time  Mrs.  Mills  came;  and  she  is 
Mrs.  Prosper  l$inl.  On  ilieir  arrival  at 
this  place,  Mrs.  Mills  kept  a  few  board- 
ers, and  quite  respectably  too,  tlmugli 
often  without  eggs,  milk,  or  butler. 

Mrs.  Mills's  children  were  li  irn  in 
Madison,  two  of  wliom  are  buried 
there.  She  has  one  son  and  two 
daugliters  living. 

In  speaking  of  her  pioneer  life,  Mrs. 
Mills  says,  "I  came,  expecting  to  make 
my  home  in  Jladison;  ami  not  for  a 
mom  t  have  L  been  homesick."  This 
renia.  .  iTustralos  lier  strength  of  jmr- 
pose,  or,  in  other  words,  the  remarkablo 
force  of  her  character.  And  this  force, 
this  energy,  is  the  special  feature  wliicli 
predominates  in  her  temperamcnl. 
Kven  in  her  childhood,  when  her 
health  was  exceiKliir.dy  delicate,  she 
was  very  active.  Full  cif  life,  anima- 
tion, and  entcii)rise,  slio  infuses  tlie 
same  element  in  the  company  with 
whieli  she  mingles.  Her  mi'idal  at- 
tainments are  good,  and  her  conversa- 
tion ready  and  iulerestiiig. 

In  early  life  she  united  with  the 
church  then  known  as  "  The  Chris- 
tians," or  "Tlie  Church  of  Christ," 
but  perhaps  better  known  now  as 
"Tlie  Disciples."  Ucing  a  firm  be- 
liever in  Christianity,  she  lias  incul- 
cated ill  iier  children  the  same  prin- 
ciples which  form  sucli  an  attractive 
feature  of  her  character.  She  is  strict- 
ly domestic,  industrious,  and  frugal  in 
lier  habits,  and  never  makes  any  pre- 
tensions to  puljlicity.  Given  more  to 
constant  diligence  than  to  gayety,  she 
presides  as  mistress  of  hor  own  house- 
hold. One  so  eiisliiiiicd  in  the  hearts 
cif  her  iniinediate  I'amil'-circle  cannot 
fail  in  hiiving  the  esleein  .and  regard  of 
her  neighbors  aud  friends. 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


717 


PiKsoaslnj;  tlm  characteristic  traits 
depiitcil  lieru.  Mrs.  Mills  c^ould  not  1)0 
oilier  lliaii  well  lilted  for  pioneer  work. 
Slit'  and  liir  liuslniiid  still  livi<  in  tlie 
Lome  of  llieir  early  elioice,  Maili.son, 
—  tlie  city  ••  'tween  the  Ial<elets." 

Mlis.  IlENlilKrr.v  L.  f'oi,T.  —  Mrs. 
Colt  wa'i  born  Mareli  111,  1812.  in  IJen^- 
Belaerville,  Albany  Counly,  N.Y.  Slie 
wai  educated  in  a  seniiiniry  at  Albany, 
and  married,  in  1(<:!0,  to  Joseph  S. 
Coll.  Esq.,  a  man  well  known  throuirli- 
ont  the  Slate.  Mr.  Colt  was  a  member 
of  Hie  Albany  bar,  and  practised  his 
profession  t)i"ere  iintil  180:^.  when  he 
removed  to  Milwaukee.  Kesidinc;  tlicro 
for  three  years,  he  returned  to  New 
York,  wlierc  ho  died,  leaving  an  hon- 
oriMl  name. 

Mrs.  Colt  felt  her  loss  keenly;  hut  it 
aided  in  preparing  her  to  devote  her 
eiilire  enerfjies  to  the  cause  of  the 
country  during  the  late  Itehellion. 
The  followinc;  extract  of  a  letter 
written  by  her  shows  the  state  of 
her  mind  at  that  time:  — 

"  The  sun  seemed  to  ino  to  so  out 
in  ilarknoss  when  he  went  to  the  skies. 
Sliieldiiiu;  ine  fnnn  every  want,  from 
all  care,  cavising  me  to  l>reathe  a  con- 
tinual atmosphere  of  rclinement  and 
love  and  happiness,  wlien  lie  went,  life 
lost  its  beauty  and  its  charm.  In  this 
stale  of  things,  it  was  to  me  as  a  di- 
vine gift,  a  real  godsend,  to  have  a 
chance  for  earnest,  absorbing  work. 
The  very  lirsl  opportunity  was  seized 
to  throw  myself  into  the  work  for  my 
coniitiv,  which  liad  called  its  slalwarl 
sons  to  arms  to  defend  its  integrity,  its 
libeily,  its  very  existence,  from  tlie 
most  gigantic  and  wicked  rebellion 
known  in  liistory." 

Mrs.  Colt  became  an  active  member 
of  the  Wisconsin  Soldiers'  Aid  Society. 
Leaving  her  home  to  minister  to  the 
Federal  soldiers,  she  went  in  the  hos- 
pital steamers,  as  far  as  Vicksburg,  to 
visit  the  camp  and  regimental  hospitals 
around  lliat  beleaguered  city,  and  often 
sent  sanitary  supplies  for  tin!  sick  and 
wounded  Union  soldiers  until  the  close 
of  I  he  war.  One  on  board  a  steamer 
l)as>ing  towards  Vicksburg  noticed  the 
charaeterislie  trails  of  a  parly  of  ladies 
who  were  on  their  way  to  carry  sanitary 
stores  to  those  needing  them.  Of  Mrs. 
Colt,  ho  remarked  her  intelligence, 
her  puiity  of  character,  the  h.'autiful 
hicnding  of  her  religious  and  patriotic 
tendencies,  the  gentleness  and  tender- 
ness with  whieli  she  gave  eiuMuirage- 
nient  and  sympathy  to  the  sick  soldier, 
and  the  spirit  of  humanity  and  woman- 


ly dignity  that  marked  her  manners 
and  coiivers.ation. 

UikUt  the  care  of  the  surgeons,  she, 
with  ilrs.  Iloge,  improvised  a  hospital 
of  the  steamer  on  whicli  tliey  went, 
that  came  up  from  Vicksburg  lo.aded 
witli  wounde<I  men.  She  made  her 
second  visit  when  (Jen.  Grant  was  re- 
newing the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  An 
extract  from  one  of  her  letters  says,  — 

"1  visited  the  south-western  hos- 
pitals in  order  to  see  the  benefits  really 
conferred  by  the  Sanitary  Commission, 
in  order  to  stimulate  supplies  at  liome. 
Such  was  my  story,  or  tho  effect  of  it, 
that  Wisconsin  became  the  most  pow- 
erful auxiliary  of  the  north-western 
branch  of  the  United  States  Sanitary 
Commission.  I  liave  visiled  seventy- 
two  hospitals,  and  would  fiml  it  dilii- 
cult  to  choose  the  most  remarkable 
among  the  many  heroisms  I  every  day 
witnessed. 

"  I  was  more  impressed  by  tlie  gen- 
tleness and  relinement  that  seemed  to 
grow  up  and  in  the  men  when  sull'er- 
ing  from  horrible  wounds,  tliaii  by 
any  thing  else.  It  seemed  always  to 
me  that  the  sacredness  of  the  cause 
for  wiiicli  they  offoreil  up  their  lives 
gave  to  them  a  heroism  almost  super- 
human; and  the  sulTeriiigs  causi?d  an 
almost  womanly  relinement  among  tlie 
coarsest  men.  I  have  never  lieard  a 
word,  nor  seen  a  look,  that  was  not 
respectful  and  grateful. 


"  I  know  now  that  lovo  of  countiy 
is  the  strongest  love,  next  to  the  love 
of  (;od,  given  to  man." 

Much  good  was  done  by  the  visits  of 
Mrs.  Colt  to  the  sick  and  wounded  of 
our  army:  and  much  beiielit  resulted, 
in  their  clTect  upon  the  p(!ople  at  Iionie, 
in  rousing  them  to  ninv  endeavors. 
When  tlie  governor  of  Wisconsin  gave 
lier  an  appointment  to  visit  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland,  and  see,  person- 
ally, all  sick  Wisconsin  men,  she  ren- 
din'cd  them  a  service  of  great  value. 
Slie  went  under  the  escort  of  Ifev. 
.1.  P.  T.  Ingraham,  and  saw  each  one 
of  them  in  the  hospital.  After  h(>r 
return,  the  recital  of  their  heroic  en- 
durance  stimulated  exceedingly  the 
geueiMsity  of  Hie  people. 

Upon  the  re-organization  of  the  Wis- 
consin Soldiers'  Aid  Society,  in  1801, 
Mr=.  Colt  was  chosen  corresponding 
secretary.  She  aided  the  society  very 
materially;  for,  in  visiting  the  soldiers 
in  various  localities,  she  was  enabled 
to  make  tlieir  wants  known.    Her  do- 


718 


nisronr  or  Wisconsin. 


icripllon  nf  tlipir  sii(Ti'riii!;i  w.is  m- 
liiteil  Willi  such  shiiplu  pathos,  that 
lar^e  coiUrilmlioiis  wcro  (livi'ii  to  tho 
liocit'ty.  Sho  was  an  cttififUt  worker 
diirUii;  thu  whoii'  war,  and  hiboiwl 
with  ontiro  di'votlon  and  };reat  scll- 
sauritloe.  Ilcr  home  is  Mtill  in  Mil- 
waiil<c'o. 

MitH.  GAimNEii  Wilson-.— This  lady 
was  tlio  lirst  whii'n  woman  who  lived 
in  llie  place  .low  known  as  Kenosha. 
Her  native  plaeo  was  Otsego  Comity, 
New  York,  iler  husband  arrived  there, 
with  two  other  men,  Monday,  .June 
]."),  ]S.j5;  four  of  their  nciiuaintances 
roaching  tliere  the  i)revious  day.  The 
most  of  these  persons  were  desir- 
ous to  look  tip  a  now  homo  for  tliem- 
scives  on  their  own  individual  ac- 
count. They  had  no  tools  with  which 
to  construct  temporary  shelter,  so  en- 
camped for  several  days  on  tho  north 
side  of  tho  harbor,  and  In  tho  place 
which  is  now  known  as  second  ward. 
They  had  no  cookiiijj-impieinents:  so 
Jlr.  Bacon,  who  performed  tho  duties 
of  steward,  du;^,  willi  his  knife,  a 
trench  into  a  tree,  in  which  pliuu  he 
stored  meat  and  other  articles,  as  they 
were  taken  from  the  fire,  and  from 
which  place  each  man  helped  him- 
self. 

The  first  double  teams  that  came  to 
Kenosba  arrived  on  .Sunday,  tjune  21, 
]S:i,).  There  were  two  wagons,  to 
line  of  winch  was  attached  a  span  of 
hor.-es,  and  to  the  otlier  tlireo  yoke  of 
oxen.  With  these  came  Jlrs.  Gardner 
Wilson,  Jonatlian  Pierce,  Orrin  Je- 
rome, and  Xel>on  Catliile.  On  tho  day 
after  the  arrival  of  lliesn  teams,  the 
party  commerced  an  erection  of  a 
building  where  Main  and  Union  Streets 
•now  intersect  each  otlier,  in  second 
ward.  Tills  was  the  first  building  imt 
up  in  Kenosha;  and  it  resembled  an 
Indian  wigwaiu  more  than  a  house. 
The  sides  were  laid  up  with  poles,  in- 
stead of  logs;  while  the  roof  and  floor 
were  made  of  bark. 

For  the  first  two  weeks  after  the 
arrival  of  Mrs.  Wilson,  slio  used  one 
of  the  wagons  as  a  sleeping-apartment, 
and  coolied  out  of  doors.  Her  table 
was  made  of  split  logs;  and  the  cook- 
iiig-imiilemeuts  and  tho  other  furni- 
ture were  of  the  same  primitive  char- 
acter. Mrs.  Wilson  lived  afterwards 
in  a  log-house,  which  was  erected  by 
her  husband  on  the  lake-shore,  {i|)- 
posite  the  northern  end  of  tlio  Island. 
This  was  the  tliird  building  that  was 
built.  She  and  her  husband  lived 
here  for  several  years,  keeping,  in  the 


mean  time,  a  public  lioiise.  The 
"  Itesiijn  House"  entertained  guenis 
at  the  same  time.  N'nt  a  stone,  or 
piece  of  wood,  or  Jndeiitaliou  of  soli, 
marks  either  of  these  building-spots. 
The  la.st  known  of  Jlrs.  and  Mr.  Wil- 
son is  that  lliey  relumed  East. 

Mi!S.  Uducas  IIazei.ti.n?:.  —  This 
pioneer  woman  was  born  in  Anilover, 
Windsor  County,  Vt.,  about  the  year 
IS;.'!!.  Hero  slio  was  educated,  anil 
resided  with  her  parents  until  the  time 
of  her  maiiiage. 

Her  maiden  name  was  Pierce;  anil, 
at  th(,'  age  of  nliieleen  she  was  mar- 
ried to  Mr.  <).  15.  Hazeltlne,  a  resident 
of  tho  Slime  State.  Soon  after  their 
marriage,  they  left  Vernnmt,  and  eame 
to  Wisconsin,  then  known  a^  a  wilder- 
ness in  the  distant  West,  arriving  here 
on  Ihe  l.ilh  of  September,  I&IS.  They 
located  in  Vernon,  W.iukesha  County. 

The  writer,  who  has  known  her  long 
and  intimately,  has  often  heard  her 
speak  of  her  pleasant  wedding-tour, 
riding  in  covered  wagons,  iij-.ti'ad  of 
in  palace  cars.  She  was  an  enlhusi- 
astie  lover  of  Xature;  and  lier  journey 
was  especially  deliglitfiil,  a-i  it  was 
made  in  tlie  summer  time  of  the  sea- 
sons, and  in  the  summer  time  of  her 
existence.  On  their  arrival  at  their 
destination,  they  liveil  in  covered 
wagons  until  a  log-house  could  bo 
erecteil.  Uiiring  the  first  year  thoy 
enjoyed  no  luxuries;  for  their  living 
consisted  largely  of  Imekwheat-meal. 
Tlioy  resided  at  this  iilaee  until  1S48, 
when  they  removed  to  lllack  Karlh, 
Dane  County,  Wis.,  a  village  consisting 
of  two  or  three  log-liouses.  She  was 
the  mother  of  seven  children,  all  of 
v.-liom  were  born  in  tliis  .State,  —  five  at 
Vernon,  and  two  at  Black  Karth. 

As  a  mother,  she  was  the  kindest 
and  most  self-sacrificing;  as  a  wife, 
she  was  the  truest  and  the  be-t :  as  a 
friend,  she  was  the  most  faitliful  and 
devoted.  Like  a  ministering  angel,  slio 
carried  comfort  to  the  sick  and  to  the 
sorrowing,  though  her  own  heart  was 
burdened  by  tiie  heaviest  of  grief. 

Her  healtli  grew  poor  in  the  latter 
years  of  her  life;  but  she  bore  her  suf- 
ferings so  patiently  and  silently,  that 
Iicr  pliyslcal  pain  was  never  realized 
by  her  friends.  She  died  at  the  age  of 
fiffy-sl.\,  on  Marcii  7,  1874,  at  her  riisi- 
dcnce,  in  Black  Earth.  She  was  a 
firm  believer  in  the  principles  of  Chris- 
tianity, to  whose  doctrines  she  ad- 
hered to  the  clo^o  of  her  life,  remark- 
ing in  her  last  moments,  to  those 
around  her,  "  My  work  is  finished,  and 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


710 


1  want  to  go  to  sleep,  ami  wnke  up  in 
licavi'ii." 

Mr.-i.  llazeltlno  wns  a  very  intelligent 
liiily,  and  her  literary  taste  caused  her 
to  ohiiose  for  lier  CDnipaiilima  llie  l)est 
autliors  of  the  time,  witli  whose  worl<s 
blu!  Ix^canie  familiar. 

iMr.s.  Om.i.VA  M.  Lewis.  —  The 
maiden  name  of  Mrs.  Orlina  M.  Lewis, 
wile  of  cx-Gov.  James  L.  Lewis,  was 
Sturses.  Siie  was  born  May  20,  182"), 
at  Clarendon,  Orleans  County,  N.Y. 
She  was  edueated  at  Leroy  Female 
Seminary,  though  her  earlier  knowl- 
edi;i'  was  aequlretl  In  C'larenchm.  For 
sev(M-aI  years  she  was  engaged  in  teach- 
ing at  Albion  Academy,  in  Western 
New  Vork.  She  was  married  to  her 
present  husband  July  2;},  184(1.  Soon 
after  tills  marriage,  they  nunoved  to 
ColumI)us,  Wis.,  where  they  have  since 
refilled.    They  have  had  four  ehiidnn. 

Mrs.  Lewis  is  medium  in  height, 
but  presides  over  her  houseliold  with  a 
great  deal  of  decision.  Slie  is  a  blon(l(\ 
Sliouid  a  person  unacquainted  with 
Mrs.  Lewis  engage  in  conversation 
witli  her  for  a  few  moments,  lie  would 
be  sure  to  notice  that  energy  w.as  one 
of  the  principal  traits  of  her  character. 
Slie  is  a  member  of  tiie  Metliodist- 
Kpiscopal  church,  and  is  a  good,  con- 
sistent Cliristian,  wife,  and  mother. 

Mns.  Tiikuf.se  Sciiini)I.eb. —Ma- 
dame Tlieresc  Schindler  was  born  at 
"Old  Mackinac,"'  Mich.,  in  tliu  year 
177.').  She  was  a  lineal  descendant 
of  the  principal  chief  of  the  Ottawa 
Nation.  Most  of  her  e.arly  life  was 
passed  at  St.  Josephs,  Mich.  Slie  was 
a  resident  of  the  Island  of  Mackiii.ac 
from  1805  to  1853,  when  she  removed 
to  (Ireen  Bay.  During  her  eventful 
life,  she  experienced  many  eventful 
changes,  and  witnessed,  what  but  few 
persons  have  seen,  five  generations 
(herself  tlie  first)  assembled  at  one 
time  in  her  lake-home  on  the  Island 
of  Mackinac.  Her  nearest  lineal  de- 
scendant is  her  grand-daughter,  the 
wife  of  Hon.  Henry  S.  Baird.  I'^^r 
traits  of  char.acter  were  amiable  and 
ennobling.  Slie  was  a  woman  of  no 
scholarly  attainments,  but  had  power- 
ful mental  endowments,  and  a  remark- 
able memory. 

She  died  Oct.  31,  1S56,  in  the  eighty- 


first  y<'ar  of  her  age.  In  compliance 
with  her  widies,  her  remains  were  con- 
veyed to  .Mackinac  for  inleinienl. 

Mils.  Maiiia  Uaiistow.  —  She  was 
bom  ill  Salem,  Mass.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Qiiaries.  Her  father  was 
among  tlie  first  settlers  of  Wisconsin, 
iiaving  moved,  witii  his  family,  to 
Kenosha  (then  Southport)  in  "iS-'lT. 
Hut  few  had  found  their  way  to  this 
place;  and  every  thing  was  in  a  most 
primitive  state.  There  were  no  church 
edifices;  hut,  on  each  returning  sab- 
bath, al!  rallied  for  worship  in  an  old  log 
sclioolhoilse;  and  there  were  no  com- 
fortable residences  nor  sidewalks,  but 
plenty  of  sanil,  through  wliicli  one 
literally  waded.  The  stopping  of  a 
steamboat,  previously  hcrulcled  liy  the 
cry  of  "Steamboat,  .ahoy!"  was  a 
most  exciting  event,  and  caused  every 
heart  to  tliriil  with  expectancy.  Men, 
women,  and  children  woiiM  rush  to 
the  beach  to  soe  the  new-comers,  who 
were  Iirought  ashore  in  a  small  boat 
sent  for  that  purpose.  There  were  a 
few  enterprising,  public-spirited  men 
in  the  little  town,  and,  under  their 
auspices,  it  soon  a-sumed  ronsidera- 
bie  importance.  In  1844  Miss  Quarles 
was  married  to  AV.  A.  Uarstow,  who 
at  that  time  was  jiving  in  Prairicville 
(now  called Wanke'sha) ;  and,  for  several 
years  after  their  marriage,  this  beauti- 
ful town  was  tlieir  home.  Subse- 
quently they  moved  to  M.idison,  and, 
after  a  few  years'  residence,  removed 
to  Janesviile,  where  they  remained 
until  after  the  opening  of  the  war. 
During  tlio  autumn  of  1801,  and  the 
winter  following  it,  Mr.  B.u'stow  raised 
I  a  cavalry  regiment,  which  left  Janes- 
j  ville,  in  March,  1802.  Mrs.  Barstow 
accompaiiieil  him,  and  was  with  him  a 
j  portion  of  the  time  during  his  term  of 
service.  On  the  iUi  of  May,  180.").  she 
parted  from  him  at  St.  Louis;  and  the 
"good-by"  proved  to  be  a  final  one. 
Mr.  Barstow  died  Dec.  13,  1805,  of  a 
chronic  disease.  His  wife  was  sum- 
moned, but  unfortunately  too  late  to 
see  him.  The  remains  of  Mr.  Barstow 
were  taken  to  Cleveland,  O.,  and  laid 
by  the  side  of  his  parents.  Since  tlu'ii, 
the  heart-broken  widow,  witli  her 
family,  have  made  Cleveland  their 
home. 


CHAPTER   LXVIII. 


WISCOXSIX  S   MEN. 


Brief  Biii^rnpliical  Sketches  of  the  Pioiipcr  aii'.l  PrDinliient  Men  of  Wisconsin. 


We  close  this  volinno  with  a  chaptnr  of  biography,  —  lifo-sketclies  of  the 
leading  men  of  tlie  State,  of  tho  past  and  tiio  present.  These  sketches  are, 
from  necessity,  very  brief.  Wo  have  sougiit  oidy  to  chronicle  the  events  in 
each  life  in  a  simple  way,  believing  tiiat  we  could  not  enhance  this  volume 
by  the  laudation  of  living  men.  Others  have  engaged  themselves  in  the 
latter,  in  Wisconsin;  but  I  am  confident  that  their  labors  will  only  cause 
those  persons  represented  in  this  volume  to  more  plainly  distinguish  the 
difference  between  a  biography  that  is  i)repared  for  public  appreciation,  and 
one  that  is  written  in  the  interests  of  a  money  consideration.  If,  however, 
we  seem  to  fail  in  any  respect,  in  this  chapter,  it  must  be  from  one  of  two 
causes,  either  of  which  we  must  not  be  supposed  to  control.  In  the  first 
place,  it  is  difficult,  and  often  impossible,  to  procure  data  for  biographical 
sketches  of  persons  now  deceased  ;  and,  even  where  this  is  made  possible  by 
the  collection  of  fragmentary  records,  the  work  of  bringing  them  together 
is  rendered  difficult  by  innumerable  circumstances.  A  second  cause  that 
has  largely  interfered  with  this  chapter  is  tho  narrow  space  allotted  to  it. 


IIox.  Lucius  Faibciiild.  —  Lucius 
Faircliilil,  a  son  of  Col.  .Jairus  r.  Fair- 
child,  was  born  in  tlie  town  of  Kent, 
Portage  County,  O.,  Dec.  27,  18.!0;  re- 
ceived a  common  scliool  education ;  is 
by  profession  an  attorney.  He  came 
to  Wisconsin  in  1840,  with  liis  parents, 
and  settled  at  Madison.  In  1840  he 
made  an  overland  trip  to  California, 
and  remained  there  until  ISS.^,  when 
lie  returned  to  M.niison.  Was  clerk  of 
the  circuit  court  for  Dane  County  in 
18.")9  and  18(50;  in  1801  entered  the 
military  service  with  tlie  First  Wiscon- 
sin Volunteers,  and  was  commissioned 
successively  captain,  major,  lieutenant- 
colonel,  and  brigadier  of  volunteers, 
and  captain  in  the  Sixteenth  Kegi- 
ment.  United  States  regular  army. 
At  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  where  he 
720 


commanded  the  Second  Wisconsin 
Keginient  of  the  "  Iron  Brig.ide,"  lie 
lost  an  arm,  and,  while  recruiting  his 
health,  received  and  accepted  tlie  Re- 
publican nomination  for  secretary  of 
State,  to  which  position  he  was  elected 
in  ISOiJ;  in  1805  was  elected  governor; 
and  was  re-elected  in  1807  and  1809, 
serving  six  years  In  that  capacity,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  appointed  by 
tlie  President  United  States  consul  at 
Liverpool,  Eng.  Gov.  Fairchild's  life 
has  been  so  well  presented  in  tlie 
chapters  on  his  administrations  of  the 
State  government,  that  further  men- 
tion hero  is  unnecessary. 

Jairus  Cassius  Faibcuild  was 
born  in  one  of  the  northern  towns  of 
New  York,  on  the  27th  of  December, 
1801.    A  youugcr  sou  of  a  large  family. 


uisTonr  OF  wrscoxsiy. 


721 


ho  ini;jlit  liavo  vpmninod  tlicrc.  luit  for 
th(!  l>i>H  of  Ills  inotlicr  nt  itii  caily  lyn'.. 
As  lie  uscil  liiutfliliinly  to  (express  It,  lie 
"fiiuiul  lie  ('(mill  not  govern  his  sti'p- 
nidllii'r;"  iiiul  so,  iit  rli'vcu  years,  hfi 
htvted  out  to  seek  Ills  fortune.  I'rob- 
»i  y.  anioiiR  llu!  liarily  pioneers  of  the 
time,  tills  dill  not  seem  so  (loiil)tful  a 
renlure  as  it  niiKlit  now  do.  It  must 
be  added,  that  tlie  same  stcp-niothor 
afterwards  paiil  him  a  visit  at  his  homo 
In  Ohio,  and  reeeived  most  affeellonatc 
atteiilion  from  himself  atid  his  wife, 
to  wliose  children  she  lieeamo  much 
ntliiched.  Unfortunately,  tlu're  is  no 
clear  record  of  these  early  years,  full 
of  ailt'enture  and  of  persevering  effort. 
Douhtiess  a  most  entertaining  liook 
mi;,'ht  ho  made  of  them,  if  any  friend 
could  clearly  recall  tho  stories  ho  has 
rei.M'd  of  scenes  through  which  ho 
p.issitl  lie  recollected  vividly  tho 
IV.  f  the  attack  on  Saeketfs  Har- 
hiri.  Iiroii^ht  by  a  man  mounted  on  a 
lior.s(!  detaelied  from  the  plougli,  who, 
seeing  a  fresher  one  standing  harnessed 
at  his  father's  door,  threw  himself 
from  one  to  the  other,  and  continued 
his  jiiurney  over  hill  and  dale  to  warn 
tile  people  of  tlie  api>roaching  enemy. 

KifliH'u  little  months  would  cover 
all  the  time  spent  in  schools.  Hut  he 
was  a  careful  observer,  with  retentive 
memory;  and  whether  ho  earned  his 
bread  at  tho  weaver" .s  h)om,  or  by  busi- 
ness journeys  through  the  country,  on 
hoth  sld(^s  the  Hivcr  St.  Lawrence  and 
LaU(!  Ontario,  he  laid  up  stores  of 
praelieal  knowledge,  which  maile  him 
a  cyclopiedia  for  tlioso  who  sought  in- 
forinalion  from  him  in  later  years. 

An  indefatigable  and  critical  reader, 
nothing  came  amiss  to  his  inquiring, 
thouglilful  mind;  and,  even  at  tliis 
early  period,  he  h.ad  rei\soned,  and 
drawn  conclusions,  upon  subjects  not 
speeulaled  upon  by  liis  companions; 
and  llii!orios  now  commonly  received 
were  roiiciied  by  him  alone  and  un- 
aided. One  fact,  unimportant  in  itself, 
shows  a  marked  character  and  capacity. 
He  alw.iys  rose  late.  Entering  upon 
any  employment,  this  fact  was  always 
mentioned  by  him,  and  the  hope  ex- 
pressed, that  he  should  make  himself 
80  valuable  after  he  was  up,  as  to 
make  up  for  the  loss  of  time.  One 
smiles  to  think  of  the  young  boy  tlms 
frankly  dictating  terms  to  his  masters, 
expressing  a  liope  that  lie  might  over- 
come his  tendency,  but,  if  it  proved 
impossible,  asking  consideration, — a 
consideration  wliicU  was,  1  believe, 
uevcr  denied.     This  is  mentioned,  not 


as  a  good  precedent,  but  only  as  show- 
ing a  characteristic. 

At  twenty-one  wo  find  him,  with 
an  elder  brother,  Marcus  Ilrutus,  en- 
tering Ohio  In  search  of  a  permanent 
home.  They  separated  at  Cleveland, 
agreeing  to  meet  there  at  a  certain 
time,  and  report  progress.  Hut  tho 
brother  never  returneil;  and,  after 
weary  and  anxious  walling,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  entered  upon  an  engage- 
ment with  Owen  Brown,  tho  father  of 
that  John  Urown  whoso  devotion  to 
the  cause  of  antlslavery,  and  raid  Into 
Virginia,  have  given  him  so  wonderful 
a  place  in  the  history  of  our  country. 
This  Owen  Urown  was  a  remarkable 
man:  a  volume  might  bo  written  of 
his  sayings,  full  of  wit,  and  of  keen, 
shrewd  good  sense.  An  industrious 
and  |)ros|)erou3  man,  he  stood  high 
among  his  fellows,  and  was  a  valuable 
friend  to  a  young  man  starting  In  life. 

Amonghlsotherentorprises,  liohad  a 
tannery,  and  taught  the  young  man  this 
trade ;  and  soon  after  Jolm  Urown  and 
Mr.  Fairchild  became  partners  in  the 
business.  Hut  .Tohn  Urown, — stern, 
unbending,  a  man  of  "  one  idea,"  tho 
stuff  of  which  martyrs  are  made, — 
grand  and  sublitnc  though  he  bo  in 
history,  was  not  tho  most  suave  and 
■agreeable  companion  one  could  find 
for  social  relations ;  and  this  arrange- 
ment was  very  brief,  though  a  friend- 
ship continued.  For  when,  some  years 
later,  •John  lost  his  wife,  the  fact  was 
announced  in  a  letter  to  his  former 
partner,  beginning,  "My  good,  faith- 
ful, obedient  wif(!  Diantha  is  dead." 

About  this  time  Mr.  Fairchild  met 
with  Sally  Blair,  a  handsome,  energetic 
daughter  of  New  Engl.ind,  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent,  gifted  with  Scotch  per- 
sistency and  Irish  kindliness.  One 
brief  meeting  left  upon  each  so  strong 
.111  impression,  that  the  acquaintance 
was  voluntarily  renewed;  and  a  few 
months  l.-vter,  in  the  spring  of  1820,  ho 
brought  his  bride  homo  to  Franklin 
Mills  (now  Kent),  O.,  where  they  lived 
In  a  log-house  a  year,  till  their  own 
house  was  built. 

After  all  his  wanderings  and  stnig- 
gles,  wo  find  the  homeless,  self- 
instructed  boy  anchored  by  his  "  alii 
fireside."  Here  four  ehildren  were 
born,  and  one  laid  under  the  sod. 
He  built  a  brick  store,  now  pointed 
out  as  the  first  brick  building  ever 
erected  in  the  town.  Very  small  it 
looks;  but  It  was  regarded  with  no 
contempt  tlien.  No  success  or  posl- 
i  tion  of    later  years   was    brighter  of 


t. 


HISTORY  OF   W {SCON SIX. 


more  beautiful  than  tlioso  few  yoarif 
passed  by  liim  in  llie  t'liivlng  littlo 
viilau'i",  as  tlii!  pnipiiotu.  of  a  lai'i;(; 
laiinciy.  (if  " the  store,"  ami  his  own 
cottage  close  by  it,  a  jusliei;  of  the 
peaee,  and  known  as  "  the  Squire"  in 
all  the  iieighborini;  counties,  lie  '"as 
an  aetive  temperance  man.  So  preva- 
lent was  drunlcennes?  at  this  tin)e, 
that  nolliin;;  short  of  total  altsiineiice 
could  rPniedy  the  evil.  Tobacco,  and 
stimulants  in  all  forms,  were  fiuight 
against  with  all  his  youthful  vigor; 
and  not  till  near  his  iiftielb  year  did 
he,  by  the  advice  of  several  iibysiciaiis, 
adopt  the  occasional  use  of  them. 
This  pcrioil,  uneventful  in  a  written 
liistory.  afforded  lime  for  maturin;; 
and  assimilating  the  experiences  and 
observations  of  his  previous  years: 
for  reading  law,  in  order  that  he  miuht 
faithfully  and  justly  act  as  "s(|uire;" 
for  investigating  linani'ial  and  political 
questions  to  lit  him  for  business  and 
citizenship.  Ihit  to  him  personally 
this  was  a  period  of  intense  interest. 
Ills  busy  (lavs  were  f(dlowed  by  sleep- 
less nights  of  study  of  the  IJible,  .id 
tboiiglitfiil  talks  with  his  clergyman 
and  others.  An  active  and  j)rayorful 
eluirch-UKimber,  his  views  of  ('hristian 
duly  we''  extrenu;  and  vigorous ;  and 
though  t.  (>  most  conscientious  strug- 
gles resuiK^l  in  a  positive  rejection  (.f 
the  miraculous  claims  of  tbeoiogv.  they 
gave  an  enviable  familiarity  with  the 
li'achings  and  spirit  of  the  Founder  of 
(liristianily,  and  a  steadfast  faitn  in 
the  wisdom  of  the  command  to  "do 
Justb-  love  mercy,  and  walk  humbly 
Willi  Odd." 

During  all  these  years,  one  of  the 
dcljc^liiful  domestic  events  was  ilie  fre- 
(|uenl  visits  of  bis  ^.ood  old  friend 
Owen  Urown,  wboS(!  alVeetion  extended 
to  Ibe  wife  and  children,  and  whos(^ 
habit  of  frigblful  stammering  oidy 
added  a  charm  to  tb(!  keen  wit  and 
kindly  good-humor  which  inad(^  him  a 
('.eliglit  to  children  as  well  as  to  Ihe 
jldcr  ones. 

In  I8;!4  he  removed  to  Cleveland,  — 
then  rushing  on  in  the  full  tide  of 
speculation,  —  just  in  time  to  be 
stranded  by  the  tidal  wave  of  \S']T. 
which  wrecked  so  many  imaginary 
millionnaires.  His  little  brood,  incapa- 
ble o'  comprcbcndiiig  the  prosperity, 
were  (aught  by  Ibis  adversity  that  oj)- 
porlurnlies  for  education  were  to  be 
made  the  most  of;  and  much  of  thi 
8ons'  p(M'severanee,  and  faithful  per- 
fornianee  of  small  duties,  may  have 
been  unconsciously  derived  from  their 


'  father's  humbling  experiences  in  this 
I  "crash."  While  engaited  in  the  wea- 
risome and  mortifying  busin(«s  of 
adjusting  these  affairs,  tliere  came  to 
him,  'ne.vpe 'tedly,  a  jiosilion  in  the 
sf'cret  or-  K'e  of  the  government, 
which  '  .1  e  him  active  employment, 
and  m(  r  s  of  subsistence,  dining  the 
period  .i  which  bis  bands  were  tied 
by  bis  embarrassments.  It  also  .af- 
forded him  an  opportunity  to  choose 
a  home  wherein  he  should  start  an(!W. 

One  dreary  March  day,  driving 
against  a  biting  north  wind,  in  the 
year  184(>,  he  arrived  in  Madison, 
Wis. ;  and,  after  a  stay  of  less  than 
twenty-four  hours,  he  wrote  to  his 
wife  in  Cleveland  that  he  bad  finnid 
Ibe  place  wherein  he  should  live  and 
die.  This  active,  far-seeing  helpmeet 
was  ready  for  the  summons,  and, 
bringing  children  and  household  g(Jods, 
joine(l  him  in  MilwauUec. 

Driving  two  and  a  half  days  over 
green  prairies,  and  through  "oak 
open'.  ';s,"  where  shadows  danced 
upon  a  brilliant  carpet  of  llow(U's,  they 
reached  Madison  .lune.  l\  lS4(i. 

The  first  constiiulional  conv(!nti()n, 
occurring  this  year,  not  only  brought 
most  of  the  leading  men  of  the  Slate 
together  in  Madison,  but  made  politi- 
cal (|ueslions  the  subject  of  every- 
day common  conversation.  Into  these 
he  threw  himself  with  eager  interest; 
and,  though  some  of  the  progressive 
measincs  most  pleasing  to  him  led  to 
the  rejectiou  of  IIk!  constitution  by 
th(!  people,  b(!  lived  to  see  most  of 
them  adopted  by  Ibe  Slate. 

lie  bail  been  a  Henry  Clay  Whig,  a 
"stump"  speak(!r  iliniiii;  the  cam- 
paign which  elected  Hai'rison;  and 
\\.^  one  of  lh(!  few  who  sustaiiu;d 
.lohn  Tyler  in  his  "oursi!  afler  the 
death  of  the  I'residi'iit  brought  him  to 
the  head  of  the  adminislralion.  Per- 
haps il  was  not  so  much  that  he  agreed 
with  bi'n  in  the  abstract,  as  that  ho 
claimed  for  him  Ihe  right  to  carry  out 
Ihe  iirinciplcs  he  bad  always  Inild,  and 
his  known  advocacy  of  which  hiid 
given  strength  to  llie  efforts  which 
resulted  in  tin!  triumph  of  the  party. 
So  few  were  th(?  Tyler  nn-n,  that  they 
wer(!  known  as  the  "  corporal's  guard," 
—  a  soubrii|uel  cheerfully  accepted  by 
himself  and  oil  .'■rs. 

This  stale  of  things  naturally  driftiMl 
him  with  Ihe  Democrats;  and  he  was 
elected  stale  treasurer  at  Ibe  first 
St.'ite  election,  on  the  Democratic 
ticket,  at  Ihe  head  of  which  was  Oov. 
Uewey,  and  was  elected   to   the  same 


HISTORY  OF   WISCOySfX. 


723 


offlop,  for  a  spcor  d  tvrin,  in  1840.     In 
ls."jl,an<l  again  ii.  IS"):!,  lu!  was  pressed 


lor  th(!  Domocratii; 
governor,  and  on  tin' 
lacked  only  two  votes 
required  to  confer  the 


drifted 
was 
llrst 

ocratio. 

,s  Oov. 
same 


by  liis  friends 
nomination  for 
second  'icoasii'.i 
of  tlie  niiinliei' 
nomination. 

lie  was  the  only  State  offieer  wlio 
kept  Iiouse  in  Madison ;  and  lii.s  own 
and  liis  wife's  unfaillni;  liospitality 
made  tlieir  simple,  nnpreteniliiii;  home 
adclii;htfnl  social  centre,  and  famili- 
arly known  to  all  whose  bnsiness  or 
tastes  brouiilit  them  to  tlie  City  of  the 
Lakes.  Perhaps  in  tliis  way,  more 
than  in  any  public  positions,  was 
their  united  indnenee  exercl-ed  in  the 
rapidlv-increasing  community.  All 
his  etforts  weni,  to  develop  llie  re- 
sources of  his  own  vicinity,  and  to 
advance  the  interests  of  his  neiLchl)ors. 
If  he  fiained  a  little  money,  instead  of 
H^ekiii!;  some  safe  investment,  where 
lie  could  profit  by  the  industry  of 
otluMs,  ho  put  it  into  improvements 
of  the  town  or  Slate.  Immediately 
upon  his  arrival  in  Madison,  he  sot 
about  };ettini»  a  home  for  life.  His 
first  step  was  to  buy  a  saw-mill  in  the 
pinery;  and,  runnin;;  his  own  lumber 
''owi\  to  I'rairie  dn  Sac,  he  had  it 
hauled  by  teams,  twenty-live  miles,  to 
Madison.  Then  tliere  was  no  brick. 
The  beautiful  stone,  uow  easily  pro- 
cnred,  was  then  inaccessible:  so  he 
slarli'd  a  brick-yard,  and  made  enou;;h 
bricks  for  all  his  own  l)nildin'.;s,  and 
til  yo  far  towards  paying  for  the  other 
malerlals  useil.  Thi^si>  thin'.;s  bein'j; 
ready,  the  architect  who  was  to  have 
taken  charge  failed,  ami  so  he  com- 
pleted Lhe  job  by  fjivin;;  his  own  daily 
per;onal  attention  to  the  clolails  of  the 
woik  to  the  end.  A  home  sained 
under  such  dilliculties,  and  einiche' 
by  inemori(!s  of  years  of  hospitalities, 
is  not  to  be  bougiit  with  mere  money. 

While  ho  was  a  .State  otiicer,  he  be- 
came intimately  acquainted  with  the 
wh.;i..  .State,  throuifh  his  r.r-offlcio  con- 
nection with  tlie  coininissioners  for  the 
care  of  school  and  university  lands ; 
and,  though  he  was  strongly  averse 
to  much  they  were  obliged  to  do,  con- 
sidering it  a  wiisto  or  misuse  of  a  noble 
onilowment,  y<'t  he  enjoyed  giving  his 
time  and  stren^ih  to  the  work,  and 
was  faithful  ami  eflicient  in  etforts  to 
avert  evils,  and  accomplish  good. 

Not  much  is  it  to  tell. —the  first 
state  treasurer  in  a  new  Stale,  the 
first  mayor  in  a  very  small  city,  the 
bnilil'T  of  an  unassuming  home  and 
of  other  modest  buildings,     but    his 


influence  was  widely  Idt  in  his  day; 
and  who  shall  say  who  i;  it  will  end? 
lie  could  not  sleep  conirortably  in  his 
bed  if  he  knew  olliers  li  bi-  homeless 
and  snlTering.  lie  Wiis  foremost  in 
ever;  public  work.  N'o  widow  or 
orphan  was  ever  turned  away  till  his 
b(^st  thouiilit  and  kindest  aid  had  been 
given.  No  man,  not  even  the  worth- 
less, ever  ai)])ealed  to  his  friemNliip  in 
vain.  lie  fell  that  want  of  success 
often  stamped  a  man  as  worthless 
among  his  fellows;  and  the  nnl'or- 
tunate  w<M'e  sure  of  his  aid.  At  one 
time  his  banker  refused  to  aecc'pl  his 
name  ;vs  an  indorser,  giving,  as  a  rea- 
son, that  his  name  was  oti  Iwo-ihlrds 
of  the  paper  in  Dane  t'oiiMty.  Of 
course,  he  had  losses;  of  course,  he 
a  very  few  times  aided  scamps;  of 
course,  he  had  no  millions  to  divide 
•among  his  children.  It  is  not  a  good 
example  1. 1  follov  >  that  extent.  And 
yet  wlio  would  not  prefer  the  troubles 
and  embarrassments  bri,ught  by  sueli 
a  life,  to  those  attending  the  selfish 
life'? 

lie  hail  a  powerful  frame,  a  large, 
intellectual  head,  fine  features,  a  fair 
complexion,  and  bright  aiibu?n  curling 
hair.  Ills  physical  strei.glh  was  enor- 
mous. At  one  time,  ',dien  a  spirited 
lii.rse  which  he  was  i, riving,  frenzied 
by  fright,  had  started  to  run,  be  slopped 
him  by  main  sirenglli,  nearly  pull- 
ing him  back  into  tlie  bugu'v.  Tliongh 
genial  in  his  ways,  and  undi.'r  habitual 
self-control,  his  passions  were  sti'ong; 
and  his  keen  sense  of  honor  led  liiir. 
io  ipiick  reseninii'iit  of  any  attack  upon 
his  ehaiacler.  The  lir-t  yea:  of  his 
residence  in  .Madi-on.  he  walked  -teiid- 
ily  into  a  iirinliiig-olliee,  Mini,  with  his 
'^wn  unaided  arm,  bioke  up  a  news- 
paper form  uiion  the  press,  tlieii  piint- 
iiig  false  words  derogalory  to  lilni. 
This  strenglh,  and  si'lf-i'"liance  In  his 
personal  appearani'e,  made  lhe  feelile- 
iiess  and  loss  iii'  si^ht  of  his  last 
months  peculiarly  toncliing. 

His  life  went  out  in  darkness.  The 
w-i-  came,  lie  had  foreseen  it  with 
deepest  |iain.  He  was  of  those  who 
thought  the  eli'ction  of  J^^uglas  over 
Lincoln  would  have  aveud  it  fur  the 
lime,  ]iiisslblv  would  have  shifted  it 
along  till  different  circumstances  had 
iiuietly  accomplished  the  end,  which 
came  i  tily  Ihrouuh  blood  and  anguish. 
IJut  when  the  call  Tm-  men  came,  and 
his  son  Lucius  was  oin  of  the  first 
five  in  the  State  to  enlist  t  i  serve  In 
any  capacity  reipiired.  he  made  no  ob- 
jeclLon.     It  was  his  country;  and  the 


!1 


n  I  STORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


Union  wa'i  pss(>ntial  to  liis  ideii  (if  it. 
Ami  wlu'ii  Caisii'.s,  rctiiriiiii!;  from  tin; 
wilds  of  the  pinery  to  lind  the  coiinliy 
allanic  willi  tlio  war-spirit,  addfd  liis 
iianu'  to  till!  already  tremendous  list, 
lie  ijave  no  si','li.  lie  expeeted,  as  a 
matter  fif  course,  if  tliero  was  work 
to  be  done,  all  liis  lioys  would  do 
it.  A?(l  tliouiih  great  tears  rolled 
down  his  <'heeks,  already  thin  and 
liallid  a'  the  I'apid  approach  of  death, 
ihoie  precious  liV(^s  \ver(!  never  re- 
called, even  to  coml'ort  his  last  days. 
'I'he  fortunes  of  war  sent  his  eldest 
son,  Cassius,  hack  on  a  stretcher,  with 
a  hall  in  his  thii^h,  to  occupy  an  ad- 
joiniii'.;  hed-rooni  chu'lng  his  father's 
last,  days,  and,  with  his  mother  and 
.sister,  to  follow,  on  ernlches,  the  n;- 
vered  form  to  its  last,  resting-place. 
But  with  all  the  sense'  of  personal  lo-' 
with  all  the  frightful  seiis(!  of  danger 
to  his  eldest  son  in  the  Western  Army, 
his  secon<l  in  the  Army  of  the  I'lito- 
jnac.  and  his  third  son  and  youni;(;st 
«'hild  in  \\w  navy,  now  on  Ltnard  heiow 
IJichmond.  in  .lani(>s  liiver.  ami  then 
participatin.^  in  the  sieite  of  (.Charles- 
ton, his  great  .grief,  his  really  lirst 
thought,  was  for  his  country,  —  the 
fear  that  peace  had  (h'd  from  it  for  a 
1  ing  time,  if  not  forever.  >io  vii'tories 
came;  toelieer  his  last  days.  With  fail- 
ing strength,  and  nearly  extinguished 
sight,  he  went  <iul  in  the  darki.'st  days 
of  the  war,  just  wlien  defeat  after  de- 
feat had  liegun  to  leach  our  armies 
how  large  a  task  had  heeu  undertaken, 
lie  died  .July  IS,  hsil-.', 

('As.«iirs  K.MliCiiii.n  was  horn  at 
Franklin  .Mills,  now  Kent,  0.,I)ec.  Ki, 
ISJil,  lie  w.is  the  seconil  son  of  Sally 
Hlair  and  Hon.  .1.  C.  Fairchild.  lirst 
treasurer  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin, 
first  mayor  of  the  city  of  Madison, 
and  a  gentleman  of  fine  ability,  high 
character,  and  great  iiromincnce  in 
the  early  history  of  the  .State.  His 
mother's  grandfather,  Capl.  Ceorge 
Howard,  died  in  the  service  of  his 
country  just  liefore  the  close  of  the 
It"Volution.iry  War.  Ho  had  heen  in 
Nova  .Scotia,  most  jirospiM'tiusly  situ- 
ated, at  the  Declaration  of  Indepenil- 
ence,  ami,  sacrificing  all  his  |iroperly. 
had  hastened  honied  to  fight  for  his 
c  luntry.  His  mother's  other  grainl- 
falher,'  IJlair,  had  aho  served  with 
honor  in  the  French  and  Indian  war. 
The  elder  son  died  early;  and  the 
family  removed  to  Cleveland,  in  ISlU, 

whei-e  Cassius   n ived  his  education, 

with  the  (exception  of  one  year  spent 
at  an  academy  in  Twin- l)e;g,  ().,  and  a 


longer  period,  later,  at  the  school  wliich 
afteiwards  became  (/'arroll  College,  in 
Waukesha,  Wis.  He  Uarned  slowly, 
hut  had  an  accurate  and  retentive 
memory.  Fond  of  fun,  he  yet  had 
caution  and  self-control;  so  that  hu 
n<n-er  got  into  ditliculties. 

At  fourteen  he  came  to  Milwaukee, 
with  his  uncle,  Mr.  K.  .1.  I'.lair;  .and 
after  his  return  to  Clev<'land,  hy  most 
urgent  entreaties,  he  obtained  permis- 
sion from  his  parents  to  go  all  the  way 
back  to  Milwaukee  on  horseback,  in 
company  with  a  you?ig  man  w<'ll 
known  to  them.  This  fhsi  taste  of 
a<lveiiture  was  enjoyed  hy  him  with  .1 
keen  relish,  and  made  him  fee!  himself 
a  man  at  once. 

With  his  uncle  in  Milwaukee,  in 
school  at  Waukesha,  in  tin;  duties  and 
pleasures  of  home-life  at  his  falher'.s 
house  in  iladison.  with  an  occasional 
business-visit  to  New  York  (,'iiy,  his 
life  |)assed  smoothly  on,  with  no  more 
startling  incident  than  his  re|K}ated 
election  as  alderman  (one  year  presi- 
ilent  of  the  coimnon  council),  and  an 
(■lection,  in  IfSoi),  as  nn  niber  of  the 
legislature  from  the  eity  of  Madison. 
I  Though  piwiously  known  to  most 
j  ac(|Maintances  miM'ely  as  a  young 
i  gentleman  in  society,  he  is  said  to 
have  possessed  at  this  tinu^  an  luiusual 
keenness  and  discrimination  as  to  men, 
and  to  hav(>  so  w'on  their  respect  as  to 
wield  a  controlling  inlluenc((  over  many 
of  his  seniors  in  y(!ars  and  experience. 
At  about  this  time,  little  knowing 
for  wiiat  they  prepared  themselves, 
some  young  gentlemen  of  the  city 
formed  a  military  ('ompany  called  the 
(!ovennu''s  (iuai'd.  So  rare  was  even 
the  smallest  knowledge  of  military 
tactics  in  th(^  .Slate,  that  nearly  every 
member  of  this  company  took  high 
rank,  and  served  with  distinction  din-- 
ing  the  war.  Among  its  most  inde- 
fatigabli!  members  W(>re  the  brothers 
Cassius  and  Lucius  Fairchild. 

At  the  breaking-out  of  the  war, 
Cassius  was  in  tin!  wilds  of  the  North- 
ern I'ineri(>s,  attending,  with  patience 
and  tact,  to  a  most  wearing  and  vexa- 
tions husiiKMs,  in  which  misplaced 
conlidence  and  kin(ln(!ss  had  involved 
his  father.  Immediately  after  his  re- 
turn home,  he  offered  his  services  to 
till!  goviM'nor,  and  in  October,  18dl, 
was  appointed  major  of  the  Si.xteenth 
Wisconsin  Infantry.  In  December 
following,  he  was  promoted  to  the 
ollice  of  lieulenanl-colonel.  At  the 
battle  of  Shiloh,  a  hall  entered  his 
thigh,  so  close  to   the  hip-j  liiit,  that 


niSTORY  Of    ]\'/SCO.\SlX. 


nmpiitalioii  was  iinpossil)lc%  ami  all 
tampi'liiij;  (lamsoriuis.  liy  tlii"  .iltiiost 
fiii|M'ilniiiiaii  cxurliDii^  of  his  {.itlicr's 
fiiciiil.  .Iiiil'^o  Tiioiiias  IIdihI,  wliii  went 
fdi'  him,  111!  was  liroiinlit  homo  oii  a 
slrctoliiM',  down  tW.  Triino^si'e  and  Ihc 
Ohio,  anil  up  the  Mhsioipjii  to  I'lMiric 
(hi  ChiiMi.  Diiriir^  oij;lil  nionlhs  of 
enia.'ialion  and  snlloilnu,  the  hall  and 
scviMi  pieci's  of  Ids  clothhi:;  n'niained 
in  the  wouuil,  halllini;  Iho  soanh  of  a 
scon!  of  siiri;oons.  Tlirouiih  all  this 
enlfiTim;  ami  anxious  isiispcnse,  his 
checilnl  couraijo  and  ovci-llowinjj;  wit 
made  his  hedsldt!  a  d(!li.i;lit  to  his 
frionds.  Thc>  inolancholy  satlstaelion 
of  witm^s-iini?  tho  last  days  of  a  re- 
vered and  helovod  father,  and  of  sns- 
tainiiii;  his  mother  and  sister  thnm.;li 
the  Dereavenient,  were  secured  to  hint 
by  his  prolonged  sniTeiing.  The  hall 
was  found  I)y  Dr.  lliainanl,  in  Deeein- 
her,  and  the  forei'in  suhstaiiees  re- 
iu<ived;  hut  they  had  lemained  so  Ions 
einlx'ildeil  in  the  hone,  that  a  new  for- 
mation of  bone  had  grown  over  them, 
and  the  conseipient  irritation  was  very 
slow  to  heal,  lie  returneil  to  the  Held 
iind  active  service  in  .May,  while  his 
wound  still  required  dres-inc;  twice  a 
day;  and  twice  dnrini;  the  succeedin'^ 
campaign  he  received  injuries  which 
opened  his  wound,  and  prostrated  him 
upon  a  sicli-he<I.  During  the  siegi!  of 
MeU~burg,  tho  lamented  O.'U.  Mcl'her- 
sou  was  his  kind  ami  constant  friend  ; 
and  Gens.  Force,  liclknap,  and  others 
of  his  companions,  remember  him  with 
expressions  of  affectiou.ite  respect. 

In  March,  liS(14,  he  was  appointed 
colonel.  His  regim"i;t  belonged  to 
the  Seventeenth  Army  ('orps.  which 
achieved  such  a  noble  rccoril  at  .M- 
lanla,  and  in  Sherman's  .Man!h  to  the 
fSea.  He  remained  in  the  seivice  to 
the  close  of  the  w.ir,  and.  upon  being 
mustered  out,  was  brevetted  brigadier- 
geiu!ral  for  gallantry. 

In  the  summer  of  l.'^(i(i,  he  was  a])- 
poinled  Hniteil  Stales  m.-irshal.  and 
again  icnioved  to  the  city  id'  Milwau- 
kee, where  he  resided  till  he  received  a 
ttrain  while  acting  as  pall-bearer  at 
the  fuiM'ral  of  a  friend,  which  cai  <e<| 
the  breaking-opi'n  of  his  wound,  vith 
f,il,ll  re-Mlts.      He  died  Oct.  21.  ISI  S. 

(ien.  Kairchild  left  two  liroiiiers, 
tlen.  I>uciu«  l'".iiri-bilil,  then  governor 
of  the  Stat(!,  and  Charles  Fairclnld  of 
I'.oston.  who  had  al^o  served  in  the 
navy  during  the  blockade  of  .lames 
Kiver,  and  participaleil  In  the  siege  cd' 
Cliarlestnu.  Hi!  also  left  one  sister, 
and  a  widow,   to  whom  he  had  been 


married   ten   days    before    his    death. 
He  is  interred  in   Madison. 

l|i)X.  l.iivi  1!.  ViL.vs.  —  He  was  horn 
in  sterling,  Lamoille  County,  Vt..  on 
I'd).  "J").  ISIl.  He  received  an  academ- 
ic education,  and  pursu(>d  a  partial 
]  collegiali!  course,  lie  studied  law.  and 
■  was  adniitled  to  tin'  bar  at  St.  Albans, 
i  V't..  in  lS.l:i.  He  was  the  lir>t  post- 
master at  .Morrisville.  in  ls:!4.  Soon 
[  after,  he  removc'd  to  .Johnson,  in  that 
'.  Stale,  from  which  place  he  was  elected 
[a  niember  o(  the  State  Constitutional 
!  Convention,  in  IS:!.').  lie  represented 
that  town  in  the  State  legislature  in 
18.1(1  and  ls;!7.  and  was  elected  by  the 
legislature,  in  the  latter  year,  one  of  the 
commissioners  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb 
and  III i ml  Insiitution  :  during  I  be  sanu' 
period,  he  Iield  the  otiice  of  register  of 
probate,  lie  removed  lo  Chelsea  in 
IS'.S,  and  represinled  that  town  in 
the  legislature  in  I--4I— 1:!,  and  was  the 
Democratic  candidate  for  speaker  for 
the  same  years.  During  these  four 
years,  he  served  on  the  juiliciary  <'om- 
ntittee,  and  the  last  year  was  its  chair- 
nie.n.  He  was  ihi>  Deaiocratie  candidate 
for  Congress  fr^mi  bis  district  in  ISt4. 
again-t  Hon.  .)ac  ib  Collanier.  In  the 
following  year  he  was  elei!leil  .Slate 
senator  from  Orange  Cuinty.  and  re- 
elecled  in  IS-lti;  and  was  unanimously 
elected  president  /;/•"  liiii.  of  the  senate 
in  a  body  composed  of  twenty-three 
Whigs  and  seven  Dennicrats,  he  being 
of  the  latter  inunbei'.  He  held  the 
oliice  of  judge  uf  probate  in  Orange 
County  for  three  ye.irs.  He  was  sup- 
ported by  the  Democrats  in  Ihc  h'gisla- 
ture  for  I'niteil  .Slates  senator,  against 
Hon.  William  r|iliani.  in  18I.S;  and  was 
,1  Democratic  eaiididate  for  pre-iih'nlial 
elirlnr  the  s;iiii,.  year;  aNo  delegate  to 
the  Haiti  more  Convention  ;  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  .St.ile  Con-ti;nlioiial  Conven- 
tion in  IS.Vt,  from  Chelsea;  and  was  tho 
Democratic  candidate  for  president  of 
that  body. 

He  cann>  lo  Wisconsin  in  1S.")|,  and 
settled  at  .Madisun;  but  it  shoiilil  bo 
remarked,  in  this  (•■iniiectioii,  that  Mr. 
Vilas,  during  his  rc^iclence  in  Vermont, 
was  not  (Uily  sourht  after  by  the  elec- 
tors, for  rcspon--ible  positions  of  tiaist, 
but  enjoyed  a  veiy  lucrative  law  prac- 
tice. It  is  s.iid,  that,  for  many  years 
previous  lo  his  removal  to  Wisconsin, 
be  enjoyed  as  largo  a  practice  at 
the  bar  as  any  oilier  lawyr  in 
Vermonl.  —  peili.ips  larger.  He  repre- 
sented the  .M.idison  district  in  the 
assembly,  in  the  years  I.H,").")  and  IS(i8, 
and  was  mayor  of  the  city  of  .Madijoii 


■•2G 


n  I  STORY  OF    W/SCO\Sf!f. 


fiiiin  April,  IPOl,  to  April,  1802.  His 
iiiiiii,c;iual  ."nldi'c-s.  ilolivuivd  Ijrforo  llio 
Madi-oii  comiiiDii  council,  April  1(!, 
IStJi.is  a  lonelily  and  able  (kicnnieni, 
<li«|)layin'^  grcal  UtiiW,  and  an  (.'xlonsive 
practical  ac<iuaiulanci;  with  the  um's 
and  aliases  <>(  ^(jvcrnnicnl.  Ainonij 
the  many  .-ciitoncc-*  in  which  ho 
evinced  his  o«'i  nolitical  doctrines,  as 
well  as  niaidfested  a  hiijli  degico  of 
reasoning  jiuwer,  was  this:  ••  1  loidi 
upon  inlidelity  to  piihlic  trust  as  moral 
treason  to  the  government." 

lie  was  iippciinted  by  tJov.  .Salomon, 
and  served  as  draft  commissioner 
ill  the  war  for  the;  Uiii'in,  in  1802. 
Jndi^e  Vilas  iend<'red  his  country  i^reat 
service  in  various  ways  dnrin.t;  the 
years  of  its  greatest  trial.  ills  po- 
litical spei'clu's  did  iimcli  to  arouse 
the  rei|ulsite  entliii>iasni ;  and  his  ex- 
aiiiph!  led  many  to  the  ]iost  of  duty. 
While  he  labored  faitlifnily  at  llu!  post 
of  duly  al  home,  he  had  four  sons  who 
rendered  valualde  service  in  tlie  held. 

lie  was  regent  of  tlii!  Wisconsin 
Slate  University  for  twi'lve  years  pre- 
vious to  its  re-organization.  He  was 
the  Democratic  candidate!  for  secretary 
of  .Stall'  in  ISO,"),  and  received  the 
Democratic  vole  for  speaUer  of  tlie  as- 
sembly al  lis  organi/.alion  in  1.S7:!. 
During  his  term  as  regent  of  the  Uiii- 
Veisily,  he  rendered  Ibo  .State  great 
service  in  memorializing  the!  legisla- 
tiiri'  against  the  charging  of  interi'sl  on 
Irnst-fiinds,  itc.  While  in  the  legisla- 
ture, he  was  also  instrumental  in  fram- 
ing a  code  of  practice,  procuring  the 
Madison  gas-works,  and  the  completion 
of  the  dome  of  thi!  Capitol. 

U<'  wa-  married,  in  lS:i7.  to  Esther  G. 
iSniilie,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Nathan 
fSmilie  of  C'amliridge,  Vt.  They  have 
been  bles-ed  with  ii  family  of  ten  chil- 
dren. Fiveof  his  sons  have  graduated 
at  lb(!  Wisconsin  Stale  University. 
Judgi!  Vilas,  although  slill  active,  is 
somewhat  past  the  meridian  of  life, 
and  bears  tlie  imiHint  of  ycirs.  llis 
wife,  howoviM',  would  seem  to  be 
K.'arcely  bc<oiiil  the  noonday  of  life. 
She  is  biilliant  in  conver-alion,  active! 
in  society,  ri'iideriiig  hi'r  palace-hoiiu! 
a  place  of  cheer  and  weli'oine  to  the 
hosts  (if  friends  and  relatives  that  pass 
its  threshold,  .llld^e  Vilas's  house- 
hold is  all  exceedingly  nappy  one.  Its 
Clowning  bles-ing  is  a  bright  lillle 
daULlhier  of  only  ten  years.  Willi  am- 
ple means,  a  complele  library,  hosts  of 
warm  tiieinl--,  and  a  [lalace  for  alioine, 
the  judge  is,  as  he  sli  mid  lie  in  his 
retired  ille,  remarkably  haiipy. 


IIO.N.  Al.KX'.VN'DEn  W.  nANDALL.  — 

Gov.  lianilall  was  a  native  of  New 
York.  He  was  iiuiii  in  t-'ooperstowii, 
in  tliat  Stale,  about  the  year  \H\'.\  ami 
was  lifiy-iliree  years  of  age  at  the  time 
of  his  death.  Of  bis  early  life  we  know 
hut  little.  After  jiassing  through  hi.s 
sehool-<lays,  he  read  law.  Soon  after 
llis  admission  to  the  bai\  ho  removed  to 
Wiseon^in,  and  located  .it  I'rairievillo 
(now  Waukesha),  in  tlii.s  State.  Ue 
comniencod  the  piaclico  of  his  profes- 
sion with  a  fair  show  of  siiecoss;  but 
his  love  of  political  life  was  so  great, 
and  he  devoted  so  much  time  to  that 
subject,  as  to  iiilerferu  considerably 
with  his  legal  prai'tice. 

In  politics,  (Jov.  liandall  was  origi- 
nally a  Doniocrat.  He  was  always  zeal- 
ous in  the  cause  he  es|ioiised,  and  i\ 
working  uieniher  of  the  party  with 
wliiidi  lie  acted.  Ills  lirst  appciirance 
at  the  capital,  otlicially,  was  as  a  iiieni- 
berof  the  lirst  Uoiislilutional  (,'oiiven- 
tion,  in  lS4li.  lli'  was  then  (|iiiU!  a 
young  man  ;  but  betook  prominent  po- 
sition in  that  body.  In  ItvlS,  when  the 
great  Freesoil  niovonient  of  that  year 
was  inaugurated,  (iov.  liandall  was 
prominent  in  it,  taking  an  active  part 
in  a  Freesoil  .Stat(!  (  (juvenl ion.  llodid 
not  hainioiiizo  long  with  that  parly, 
but  soon  fell  back  into  lh(!  ranks  of  tlie 
regular  Democracy.  In  the  fall  of  18.'i4 
Mr.  liandall  was  elected,  as  an  liide- 
pemleiit  Uemocral,  a  member  of  the 
next  assembly,  against,  the  regular 
nominei!  of  the  ]iarty.  This  assembly 
was  liepiiblican  liy  a  small  majority. 
Gov.  liandall  was  made  chairman  of 
the  judiciary  committee  ;  and  the 
.louriial  of  that  --c'-sion  will  show  that 
he  was  a  very  laborious  and  abli!  mem- 
ber. At  the  li'iuiblican  .Stale  (Ninveii- 
tion  for  iIk!  iiomliiatlon  of  a  ticket  for 
State  oHicers.  in  Is.Vi,  Mr.  liandall 
was  jilaced  upon  It  for  attorney-gene- 
ral. He  made  a  gallant  canvass,  but 
was  defeated,  as  weri!  the  <itliers  upon 
the  ticket,  with  tin'  exception  of  gov- 
ernor; and  that  ollicer  obtained  the 
position  by  eontesi  before  the  .Supremo 
Court.  In  this  gubernatorial  contest 
between  liaslil'or.l  and  llarstow,  Mr. 
liandall  acted  as  one  of  IIk!  attorneys 
for  the  contestant  (llashford).  In  this 
cas(!  he  displayed  marked  ability  as  a 
lawyer. 

In  IH.'iH  Gov.  Ilashford  appointed 
Mr.  liandall  judge  of  the  Second  .Judi- 
cial Ciri'uit,  composed  of  the  counties 
of  Milwaukee!  and  Waukesha.  Many 
of  bis  opponents  thought  the  appoint- 
ment was   not  il  forliiiiale  one;   but, 


U I  STORY  OF   Wise  OS  SIN. 


727 


after  ono  term  of  court  hail  bopii  lieUl 
by  Juiliio  Handiill,  hi;  displayed  so 
much  ai)ilily,  and  adapted  huiiself  so 
well  to  his  new  duties,  that  ho  was 
considered  an  execlleut  jud.i;o.  His 
judiejal  eanM'r,  however,  was  brief.  In 
1857  he  was  nominated  as  the  liepubli- 
can  candidate  for  fjovernor,  and  was 
elected.  He  entered  upon  his  duties 
on  the  first  of  January,  1S5S,  and  dis- 
charged tliem  with  such  ability,  and 
s.'itisfai^tion  to  the  people,  that  he  was 
re-elected  in  ISi'iO.  This  second  term 
carried  him  through  the  year  IStil,  the 
first  year  of  the  late  war.  He  was  one 
of  the  very  best  war  governors  in  the 
country.  The  ability,  energy,  and 
boldness  with  which  he  labored  in  the 
organization  of  troops  for  the  service 
was  greatly  admired  by  all  royal  peo[]le 
in  this  Stale,  and  gave  Gov.  Kandall  a 
national  reputation  as  an  able  and 
patriotic  man. 

In  IWJl  (iov.  Randall  ^VUs  a  candi- 
date for  United  States  senator.  The 
contest  was  a  sharp  one.  The  candi- 
dates were  (iov.  Kandall.  C.  C.  Wash- 
burn, and  Hon.  T.  ().  Howe.  After 
seviMal  ballots  were  taken  in  the  nomi- 
nating caucus.  Gov.  Kandall  withdrew 
from  the  contest;  and  most  of  his 
friends  gave  their  voles  for  Mr.  Howe, 
who  was  nominated  and  elected. 

At  the  close  of  his  term  as  governor, 
I'res.  Lincoln  appointed  Gov.  Kandall 
minister  to  Kome;  which  position  he; 
lilled  for  a  short  time  in  a  manner 
satisfactory  to  the  government.  In 
18(').")  he  was  appointed  assistant  jiost- 
master-general  of  the  United  Sales. 
undi>r  the  Hon.  William  Dennison  of 
Ohio,  who  was  at  tlie  lu'ail  of  the 
post-oHii^e  de]iartnient.  When  Pres. 
Johnson  separated  from  fhe  Kepulilican 
parly.  Gov.  Itandall  unit  'il  liis  political 
forlunrs  with  the  l'resid''nt;  and,  on 
the  resignalion  of  Sir.  Dennison,  he 
became  posimasler-general ;  wliicli  po- 
sition he  held  until  the  end  of  Mr. 
Johnson's  term.  In  following  the  for- 
tunes of  Mr.  .Jidnison,  (iov.  Kandall 
naturally  drifwvl  into  the  Democratic 
parly,  with  which  organizalion  he 
acted  inilil  his  death,  lliough  he  b.'ld 
no  oflicial  position  after  March  4,  1S(;!I. 
He  died  at  his  residence  in  Klmira, 
N.y.,  July  L'Ci,  \ir,i. 

Hon'.  ,I.  1'.  Wai.kich.  —  Ex-senator 
J.  1'.  WalUer  was  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  was  born  in  tin;  year  18l:i.  Th« 
early  pari  of  his  life  was  passed  in  Illi- 
nois'. Iti  iSIl  he  emigrated  to  Wis- 
consin, and  began  tlie  aitive  ])raclice(>f 
Lis  chosen  profession,  the  law.     It  was 


not  long,  before  we  find  him  filling  posi- 
tions  of  marked  political  distinction. 
Ho  was  a  member  of  the  Teriilorial 
legislature  in  1S-J7  and  1848.  In  tho 
latter  year,  when  the  State  was  ad- 
milted  into  the  Union,  he,  in  company 
Willi  Gen.  Dodge,  was  sent  to  the 
United  States  senate,  —  hefortlic  short 
t(^rm,  which  expired  the  next  year; 
but  at  this  time  he  was  re-elected,  and 
served  till  tho  year  185"),  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  the  Hon.  Charles  Durkce. 

He  died  finite  suddenly,  of  a  stroke 
of  apoplexy,  on  the  evening  of  March 
29,  1872,  in"  the  city  of  MilwejiUee.  Ho 
bore  the  reputation  of  having  been  a 
brilliant  and  impressive  public  speaker, 
and  a  man  of  superior  presence,  and 
most  attractive  personal  endowments. 

Hon.  Milton  II.  PiiTTirr.  —  He 
was  boi-n  in  the  town  of  l''abius,  Onon- 
daga County,  N.Y.,  Oct.  22, 1825.  He 
received  a  common-school  and  aca- 
demical education;  and  in  1840,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-one  years,  he  arrived  in 
Wisconsin,  and  located  in  the  town  of 
Somers,  in  the  extreme  south-oastern 
part  of  the  State,  a  few  miles  distant 
from  the  present  lake-port  of  Kenosha. 

Ho  hail  come  West  i)rompted  by  a 
mere  spirit  of  adventure,  with  but  lit- 
tle money,  no  friends,  and  no  valuable 
experience  in  life,  lie  had,  when  ho 
started  for  tlie  West,  a  fund  of  sixty 
dollars,  which  was  reduced  to  twenty 
dollars  when  he  reached  tho  spot  where 
ho  made  his  settlement.  Ho  there  pur- 
chased a  farm  on  credit,  and  was  mar- 
ried. Ho  worked  on  his  farm  seven 
years,  spending  nearly  all  his  time  in 
grubbing  the  roots  out  of  the  soil,  and 
in  subduing  the  wild  fields.  At  tho 
end  of  that  time,  he  concluded  that 
this  was  a  long  road  and  a  slow  gait  to 
fortune,  and  that,  for  one,  ho  would 
see  if  tliere  was  not  an  easier  method 
of  procuring  a  livelihood,  and  a  "cut 
across  lots''  to  wealth. 

With  these  views,  in  1854  ho  re- 
movtii  to  the  city  of  Kenosha,  and 
began  the  l)Ui>iiiess  of  buying  and  sell- 
ing giain,  which  he  followed  till  hia 
deatii,  in  187.'{. 

He  was  elected  mayor  of  tho  city  of 
Kenosha  in  1801,  18G.S,  1807,  and  1870; 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Stale 
senate  in  180il,  in  wliich  body  he 
served  two  years;  and  in  1871  he  was 
nominated  and  elected  by  the  Kepub- 
lican  [larty  to  tho  oflico  of  lieutenant- 
governor. 

.V  fi'W  years  before  his  death,  while 
on  tho  Honing  tide  of  a  prosperous 
business,  tlie  death  of  a  man  hugely 


728 


n /STORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


indebted  to  liiin.  whose  estate  proved 
banknii)!,  and  the  deatli  of  a  relative 
for  wlumi  lie  liad  iiulorseil  largeiy,  were 
the  two  priiieipal  events  in  a  series  of 
disasters  wliieli  swept  away  Uov.  Pet- 
titt's  entire  fortune.  Tliirty  or  forty 
tliousand  dollars  of  paper  upon  which 
he  had  placed  his  name  weie,  from 
these  causes,  thrown  inti>  the  hanks, 
which  would  be  due  in  sixty  days;  and 
lie  was,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  without 
resources  to  meet  tlio  notes. 

But  he  never  faltered  an  hour.  His 
face  never  lost  tlie  serene  and  cheerful 
look  of  the  pros])erous  buyer  and  seller, 
whose  profits  were  rapidly  accumu- 
lating, and  whose  fortune  was  secure. 
He  did  not  let  his  banker,  nor  his  most 
intimate  friend,  nor  asiiijile  nieinberof 
Ilia  family,  know  the  desperate  condi- 
tion in  which  he  was  placed,  lie 
maintained  an  undistiirljed  demeanor. 
lie  borrowed  money;  lie  expanded  his 
business;  lie  palil  some  notes  as  they 
fell<lue;  he  procured  extensions  uium 
others,  as  If  no  unusual  event  had 
occurred.  K.ich  day,  week,  and  month, 
for  three  yi'ars,  he  was  conscious  of 
standing  upon  the  brink  of  a  precipice, 
that  at  any  m'>Micnt  might  hurl  him 
to  ruin. 

During  the  latter  part  of  this  time, 
he  was  a  member  of  the  legislature, 
before  wliich  many  public  measures 
of  great  importaiue  were  pending;  and 
he  was  nominated  as  a  candidate  for 
the  second  oflice  in  the  State. 

The  crash  did  not  come.  His  uii- 
cqualle<l  pluck,  the  wisdom  whieii  In- 
spired liiiii  to  keep  his  own  C(iuns<'ls, 
and  the  daring  with  which  ho  entered 
upon  his  large  business-ventures,  met 
their  reward.  At  the  end  of  four  years 
his  business  prosperity  was  re-estali- 
lished  on  a  substautiai  basis;  and  he 
liad  fully  entered  on  a  new  career  of 
successful  enterprise. 

The  profits  of  his  business-house  in 
1870  were  forty-seven  thousand  dollars. 

lie  was  an  admlralde  presiding  olli- 
ecr,  having  ready  and  Intelligent  ideas 
of  the  rules  and  custonis  which  govern 
deliberative  bmlies.  As  a  legislator, 
he  had  broad  iiMil  enlightened  npiuions, 
is  conservative  in  regard  lo  tlie  good 
things  In  the  laws,  and  the  friend 
everywhere  of  virtue  and  intelligence. 
In  politics,  of  ciiurse,  he  was  a  radical 
Repulplloan,  and  stood  high  In  the  con- 
fidence and  respect  of  his  parly. 

lie  died  on  the  l.-)tli  of  .March,  1S";3, 
at  his  rC'ildeiuM'  in  Keiiosliii. 

William  (".  \Vnrri-i)i!i),  A.M. —  lie 
was  burn  in   West  Kdmeston,  Otsego 


County,  y.Y,,  Jlav  5,  ISiS.  His 
parents  Ijelong  to  the  Xc'w  Kngland 
slock;  his  father's  family  having  enii- 
gratecl  from  Massachusetts,  and  hix 
niotlier's  from  Uliodo  Island.  Al- 
though they  enjoyed  very  limited 
advantages  for  obtaining  even  a  com- 
mon-school education,  they  took  a  deep 
Interest  in  the  mental  and  religious 
training  of  their  children.  Young 
Wliitford  worked  on  a  farm  in  .sum- 
mer, and  attended  either  a  district  or 
select  school  in  winter,  until  he  was 
seventeen  years  of  age,  when  he  entered 
lirookfield  .Ve.idemy.  lie  then  became 
a  student  in  I)e  liiiyter  Institute,  New 
York,  lie  entered  tlie  senior  class  at 
Union  College,  New  York,  in  1S5(),  and 
graduated  from  tlie  same  in  18o;i.  lie, 
in  connection  with  his  wife,  had  charge 
of  Union  Academy  at  Sliiioh,  N.J., 
for  nearly  two  years,  ISesolving  to 
enter  the  ministry,  he  pursiunl  there- 
after a  full  Course  of  study  at  Union 
Theological  Seminary,  New  York  (lity. 
Immediately  after  graduating  here,  he 
settled,  in  18.")li,  as  pastor  of  the  Sev- 
enth-day Baptist  Cliurch  of  Milton, 
Wis,;  ttlilch  position  he  held  for  three 
years.  In  the  last  year  of  his  ministry 
liere,  ho  took  the  eliargo  of  the  academy 
in  the  place,  and  remained  ever  since 
at  the  iiead  of  the  institution.  Prin- 
cipally through  his  efforts,  tlie  school 
was  converted  into  a  colK^ge  in  1807. 
Ue  has  pr(!pared  several  valualile  pa- 
pers for  the  State  Teachers'  Associa- 
tion; and  among  tliem  a  careful  his- 
tory of  tlie  early  educalional  move- 
ments in  tiie  State,  which  liiis  been 
published  by  the  State  Historical  So- 
ciety. Ho  has  acted  as  a  prominent 
member  of  the  local  organizations  for 
impidving  the  schools  'ii  the  section 
wiiere  he  resides,  and  was  chosen  pres- 
ident of  the  State  Teachers'  Associa- 
tion for  ISlio.  He  repiesenleil  his 
assembly  district  in  tlio  legislature  of 
the  State  in  18iiS,  anil  was  chairman 
of  the  eonimlttee  on  educiition.  In 
18(')7  he  was  ajipointed  by  the  governor 
one  of  the  regents  of  the  State  normal 
schools, —  a  position  whicli  InUield  until 
Feliruary,  1875.  While  a  iinrmal  re- 
gent, he  always  assisted  in  the  exanil- 
natioii  of  the!  graduates  at  tiie  close  of 
the  vear  in  tlie  normal  schools  of  the 
St.'ile. 

He  is  above  the  niedinin  height, 
strongly  and  eimipactly  built,  and  en- 
joys usually  mo>t  excellent  health, 
ill!  possesses  a  niunil.  full  voice;  is  all 
earnest  speaker,  and  commands  close 
attention   in  his  addresses.     He  is  a 


HISTORY  OF   WJSCOXSIN. 


720 


'ihU 


constant  worker,  cnorgolic  and  push- 
ini;  in  liis  elTorts;  ami  is  iiiosl  lijglily 
ostoeuiiMl  l)y  tliii  ooniniunity  In  which 
he  liiis  livoil  now  nInotoiMi  y(.':irs. 

Hon.  Gkouoe  II.  I'Air,.  —  IIo  whs 
liorn  at  Uanvillo,  Caledonia  County, 
Vt.,  Marcdi  14,  lW2(i.  At  clovfii  years 
of  attc,  ho  entered  the  olllee  of  '"  The 
North  >Slar,"  one  of  the  oldest  weekly 
newspapers  of  New  Knijlaiid,  where  he 
remained  mitil  thc!  exphalion  of  his 
term  of  apprentieeship,  in  1840.  Dnr- 
ing  the  ensuin;;  three  years,  ho  eom- 
]ileled  his  preparation  for  eollego  at 
I'liilllps  Aeaileniy,  and  joined  the 
freshman  elassof  Vorinonl  University, 
at  Unrlln!j;ton,  In  .lanuary,  1S44;  from 
whieh  Institution  lie  reeeived  his  grad- 
uation decree  In  1847,  and  suhsequently 
tlie  doitree  of  Masli^r  of  Arts,  in  course. 
After  tlio  comiiletioii  of  his  university 
studies  at  llurllnglon,  he  heeaine  a 
mendjor  of  tlie  luw-elass  of  1847,  at 
Harvard  University,  where  lie  remained 
until  January,  1848,  when  lie  lii'canie 
editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Turling- 
ton (Vt.)  "Senlinel."  A  few  months 
later,  he  started  the  first  regularly  piih- 
lislieil  dally  paper  of  that;  .State,  and 
soon  after  was  appolnteil  postmaster 
at  Uurlington  by  I'res.  Polk.  Karly  in 
the  year  is.'il,  he  sold  the  ".Sentinel" 
liewspapiM',  and  removed  to  Kenosha, 
AVis.,  wliere  lie  eoinmeiieed  tli<'  pulili- 
eation  of  "  The  Kenosha  Demoeiat." 
In  .January,  18."):!,  he  was  appointed 
assistant  secretary  of  the  Wisconsin 
senate.  In  May  of  tin;  same  year,  he 
was  appointed  post  mastei  at  Kenosha 
by  I'res.  Tierce.  In  April  of  the  next 
year,  he  was  appointed  a  niemher  of 
Gov.  liarstow's  stall'.  In  18.")7  In;  was 
re-apiiointcd  postmaster  of  Kenosha 
hy  i'res.  liuclianan,  holding  till  the 
ex|iiration  of  his  commission  in  18(il. 
During  Ills  re-*iden<^e  at  Kenosha,  he 
represented  his  ward  in  the  board 
of  aldermen,  was  twice  chosen  mayor 
of  that  city,  and  served  as  a  member  of 
the  county  board  of  supervisors,  and 
superintendent  of  the  county  poor. 
In  till?  spring  of  ISlil,  he  accepted  an 
invitation  to  become  one  of  the  editors 
of  "The  N(!W  Vork  Daily  News,"  and 
remained  connected  with  that  journal 
until  its  discontinuance.  In  the  autumn 
of  the  same  year,  when  he  returneil  to 
Wisconsin,  and  became  connected  with 
"  The  Slilwaukee  News  ;  "  which  pajier 
was  purchased  hy  himself  and  the  late 
.)i>-^eph  .M.  JiVoii,  the  ensuing  year, 
Mr.  i'aul  assuming  charge  of  the  edi- 
torial department.  On  the  <leath  of 
Mr.  Lyou,  in  lS(i8,  the  paper  was  con- 


tinued hy  Mr.  Paul  in  connection  with 
Mr.  S.  Caihvallader.  tin;  presi'iit  as- 
sistant secivlary  of  .Stale,  until  Jan- 
uary, 1S71,  when  the  establishment 
passed  into  the  hands  of  a  joint-stock 
company,  of  which  .Mr.  Paul  was  clioseu 
pnvsldent;  and  in  wliicli  position  he 
continucil  until  about  the  first  of  Mav, 
1874,  at  which  time  he  parted  with  liU 
Interest  In  the  paper,  and  ivsigned  the 
liresldency  of  the  company.  In  IS.") 
-Mr.  Paul  was  the  Democratic  nominee 
for  tile  State  senate  in  the  Kenosha 
County  district;  his  opponent  receiving 
a  majority  of  280.  In  lsi.")(i  ln'  was 
nominated  hy  the  Wiscon  in  Demo- 
cratic .State  Conveiilioii  as  a  landidatc 
for  presUhiiitial  elector  for  tin;  .State  at 
large,  but  d<Mllncd.  In  IS(ii)  he  wa3 
the  Democratic  noiiiliiee  for  the  assem- 
bly from  lh(y  liflh  assembly  district  of 
.Milwaukee  County,  and  received  ,'").V2 
votes  to  078  for  his  opjionent.  In  18li7 
he  was  elected  a  meiiiber  of  the  Mil- 
waukee Charter  Convent ir)n  held  in 
that  year.  In  lS7o  he  was  elected  a 
member  of  tlu^  Milwaukee  board  of 
school  commissioners  for  two  years, 
but  resigned  to  accept  the  place  of 
superintendent  of  schools  for  .Milwau- 
kee <'ily.  vacated  by  the  death  of  Supt. 
Pomeroy;  in  whieli  position  he  re- 
mained until  .May.  1x71.  He  was  suc- 
cessively appointed  by  the  Itoard  of 
'I'radeof  Milwauk(K' to  attend  thi'  IMver 
and  Ilarhtir  Convention  at  (.'liicago, 
the  Convention  of  Western  Hoards  of 
Trade  at  Uoston,  and  tlii^  Mutual  Im- 
provement Convention  at  Louisville; 
in  all  of  which  lie  took  jiart.  In  18.")(5 
anil  18(10  he  was  an  alteriialt^  delegate 
to  tlu^  Xational  Coiiveiitions  held  those 
years  at  Cincinnati.  ISaltimorc,  and 
(Jharlcston.  He  was  also  a  delegate 
from  the  State  at  l,irge  to  the  National 
Convention  whicli  nominated  (Jen. 
MeClellan  for  tli<'  pl■e^idency  at  Chi- 
ca'.;<)  in  lSii4,  and  a  delegate  from  the 
Milwaukee  district  lotlu"  National  Con- 
vention which  nominated  Mr.  Ureidey 
for  thi^  ]ni'sideiiey  at  Haltiniori',  In 
|s7l'.  IIc  was  also  a  nn'inber  of  the 
National  Democratic  ('onimlttee  for 
Wiscon>in  fnmi  18ii4  to  18(18,  and  was 
re-appointed  to  iIk^  same  position  in 
1872.  In  the  spring  of  the  latter  year, 
he  was  ap|>olnled  diairman  of  Ibe 
Democratic  States  Central  Conimitti'c  of 
Wisconsin;  was  ri'-appointed  to  the 
same  i>o-itioii  In  187:!;  and  at  the  .State 
Convention  of  the  latter  year  was  chair- 
man of  llie  committee  appointed  to 
report  the  platform  of  principles  upon 
which  the  present  Itcform  party  of  Wis- 


730 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


cousin  is  orstiiilzcd.  In  Febnmiy,  1874,  | 
]i(!  w:is  iip|ii)iiiliil  ii  nirnibiT  iif  the 
Hoard  of  licfjcnts  of  \Vi-<consin  Univor- 
sity,  and  a  nuMnln'r  of  tin?  oxi'culiVL' 
connnilli't'  of  tliat  board,  and,  on  tli(! 
expiiation  of  Iho  term  of  office  of  the 
then  pic-ldent  of  tlie  board  (Gon. 
(;.  S.  Hamilton ).  was  chosen  to  the 
vacaney.  In  May,  1S74,  after  he 
had  determined  to  sever  his  connec- 
tion witli  tlio  press,  —  a  connection 
U'hicli  ho  liad  niaiutainud  ainiuitt  iniin- 
ternipledly  for  nearly  tweiily-scvon 
years,  he  was  appointed  by  tlie  fjov- 
ernor,  with  tlie  sab!ie(iuent  approval 
of  the  senate,  a  inend)er  of  the  board 
of  railroad  commissioners  for  the 
State  of  Wisconsin,  for  the  term  of  two 
years;  and  tliis  position  he  continties 
to  occupy  at  the  present  time.  Durinj; 
the  entire  period  that  Mr.  Paul  was 
connected  with  the  press,  and  for 
some  years  previous,  he  was  a  con- 
stant contributor  to  the  newsjiaper  and 
miscellaneous  literature  of  the  time. 
Thoii;;li  intimately  associated  with  cur- 
rent political  affairs  as  a  necessity  of 
his  profession,  he  has  never  b(.'en  un- 
derstood to  concede  any  allegiance  to 
party,  except  in  so  far  as  the  progress 
of  cnlishtened  principles  of  i;overnment 
could  thus  bo  most  etiiciently  promoted, 

Hon-.  llENisY  .S.  13aii;i). — lie  was 
born  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  May  10,  18()0. 
His  fatlier  was  a  bunk-clerk.  The 
elder  Uaird  was  a  compeer  of  the 
Emmets,  and,  in  consequcMice  of  the 
troublous  period  succeeding  the  revo- 
lution of  1798,  became  a  political  ref- 
ugee, and,  with  Tliomas  Emmet  and 
other  exiles,  came  to  America  in  1SI)4. 
He  first  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  ami 
subsequently  removed  to  Ohio,  where, 
engaj;ing  in  speculation  after  the  war 
of  1S12,  ho  became  a  bankrupt.  Mr. 
Baird's  early  education  was  obtained  in 
the  common  schools,  before  the  age  of 
fifteen.     IIi;  was  an  attentive  student. 

At  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  entered  a 
l.aw-offico  in  Pittsburg,  IVnn.,  and  was 
afterwards  a  law-student  at  Cleveland, 
in  the  office  of  the  late  Gov.  Wood  of 
Ohio.  Wliile  here,  he  had  an  attack  of 
ague  anil  fever,  to  recover  from  which 
lie  went  to  tlie  Island  of  Mackinac, 
expecting  to  return  with  renewed 
health.  On  his  arrival,  he  engaged  to 
teach  a  school  which  numbered  about 
thirty  scludars,  and  pursued  his  law- 
studies  in  tlie  mean  lime. 

Mr.  Baird  was  admitted  to  the  prac- 
tice of  law  by  .ludge  Doty  in  .June. 
18*!.  In  .July.  ]8L'4,'he  came  to  Green 
Day,  and   attended   thu  first  term  of 


court  held  there.  lie  subsequently  a(> 
teiidiil  the  first  term  of  court  held  in 
Crawford  County.  He  may,  tlierefore, 
be  claimed  to  have  been  Iho  oldest 
attorney,  professionally,  in  Wisconsin, 
and  the  father  of  the  Wisconsin  bar. 

Aug.  VI,  1824,  he  returned  to  Macki- 
nac, where  he  was  married  to  Eliza- 
beth L.  Fisher,  a  former  i)upil  of  liis, 
and  a  girl  of  fifteen  years.  They  re- 
turned in  Seiitember  of  that  year,  and 
located  where  the  Grc^en  Bay  settle- 
ment then  existed,  —  about  two  and  a 
lialf  miles  distant  from  the  present 
city.  In  those  early  days,  he  wai  poor 
but  industrious,  with  active  habits  of 
mind  and  body,  and,  as  he  expressed 
it,  '"full  of  hope  to  seek  my  own  for- 
tune, and  pave  my  w.iy  in  the  path  of 
life."  In  18;{.j  ho  removed  from  up 
the  river  to  Navarino,  now  the  third 
ward  of  (irccn  Bay,  and  in  1S:!0  built 
the  house  wliere  he  has  ever  .since  re- 
sided. 

Mr.  Baird  occupied  a  leading  position 
in  tlio  bar  of  this  then  extensive  Terri- 
tory. His  ability  and  integrity  wero 
recognized  in  a  marked  degree;  and  v.e 
find  him  called,  at  various  times,  to 
execute  the  most  important  trusts. 
He  was  president  of  the  first  legislativo 
council  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin, 
which  svas  held  at  Belmont.  Iowa 
County,  18.'i0.  Upon  the  organization 
of  the  Territory,  he  was  appointed  at- 
torney-geni.'ral  by  Gov.  Dodge.  In  1847 
he  was  a  member  of  tlie  first  con- 
vention to  form  a  State  constitution, 
which  met  at  Madison.  Among  ser- 
vices of  a  public  nature  he  was  called 
upon  to  render,  was  frequent  and  prom- 
inent participation  in  treaties  between 
the  United  Slates  Govm-nment  and  the 
Indian  tribes,  of  whom  he  was  the 
steadfast  friend.  lie  enjoyed  the  full- 
est confidence  in  official  and  personal 
relations  with  the  late  Gov.  Cass,  gov- 
ernor of  the  Territory  of  Micliigan. 
His  legal  practice  required  tliat  he 
sliouhl  perform  long  jonrneyj,  often 
going  on  horseb.ack  to  Prairie  du  Cliicu 
and  other  places.  One  trip  that  he  has 
placed  on  record  occnjiied  eight  days. 

it  may  be  truly  said  of  Mr.  liaird, 
that  he  never  songlit  prefeiinent  or 
honor,  but  was  content  with  engaging 
in  good  works,  without  any  expecta- 
tion of  popular  recognition  of  their 
value. 

In  his  own  homo  in  Green  Bay,  lie 
has  several  times  been  called  upon  to 
preside  over  its  councils,  having  been 
president  of  the  vlllatie  board  in  18."):), 
and  mayor  of  the  city  in  18U1  and  18U2. 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


781 


Ho  was  one  of  llio  lliroe  commission- 
ers,—  A.  J.  Iiwiii  iuid  Kbciiczrr 
C'hilils  \nAiiii  till'  iilliiTs,  —  to  open  tlio 
mad  oil  till'  ca^t  sidi'  of  Vox  Itivor.  from 
tJrci'ii  Bay  to  Kaukaima.  He  was  sec- 
retary for  (i  iv.  Dodgo  at  the  fji'i'i'l 
treaty  at  Cedar  Itapids  in  isjil,  wlicreiii 
tlie  Meiiomonees  eedeil  some  four  mil- 
liiiii  acres  of  tins  country  to  the  gov- 
ernment. 

lie  continued  in  tlie  active  practice 
of  liis  profession  until  about  tlio  year 
IHOO,  when,  Iwivinj;  secured  a  compe- 
tence, and  findinu;  otlu'r  business  on 
his  hands,  he  practically  retired,  al- 
thoujih  retaininf^  liis  c(]nnection  with 
the  bar,  serviiiL;,  in  former  and  later 
years,  as  its  lionored  president.  At  the 
time  of  his  death,  wliicdi  occurred  at 
his  residence  in  tlic  sevenly-lifth  year 
of  his  aj;o,  on  April  .'S,  1S7"),  he  was 
presiilciit  of  the  (Jld  iSelllers'  Club,  a 
jjosition  sTliich  he  had  held  since  its 
oi:;aiiization.  in  I'cdiruary,  ls71.  ]n 
addition  lo  the  supervision  of  tlu^  Astor 
jiropcrty  in  CJrecn  Bay,  his  services  as 
a,:;cnt,  dating  from  about  lSli2,  and 
including  charge  of  the  .sales  of  thai 
jiropcrly  within  late  years,  Ik?  was 
intrusted  with  the  niaiiagenicnt  of 
large  estates  for  non-residents  and 
minors.  lie  was  scrupulous  and  I'xacI 
ill  biisincss-rclalions,  and  iiiaiiilained 
an  unimpeaclialile  reputation  for  probi- 
ty and  faithful  stewardship. 

Mr.  IJaird  was  among  the  most  loyal 
hi  the  lal(!  civil  war.  Mis  patriotic 
devotion  could  brook  nothing  short  of 
absolute  and  uncijuivocal  devotion  to 
the  cause  of  the  North;  and.  while  far 
past  the  age  for  active  service,  he  did 
much,  by  '■fiicial  and  iirivate  action, 
and  with  his  pen  and  voii'e,  to  uphold 
and  advance  tin'  cause  he  deemed  a 
righti'iiiis  (ine.  In  politics,  be  became, 
after  the  dissolution  uf  llic  Whig  party, 
a  Kepublicaii,  i>(  which  oigani/.ation 
ho  remained  an  ardent  and  active  sup- 
porter. It  was  characteri-<iie  of  him, 
that,  lo  whatevercnlisted  his  sympathy 
and  allentiDii,  he  gave  his  bi'sl  endeav- 
ors and  heartiest  aid.  For  many  years 
lie  had  been  connected  with  the  Ma- 
sonic fiaternily,  and,  for  a  period  em- 
bracing a  number  of  years,  one  of  the 
most  instrumental  in  contributini^  to 
its  prosperity. 

Perhaps  it  will  not  he  irrelevant  to 
the  ]ires(Mit  piirpnse  to  go  back  to  the 
year  IS24.  when  Fort  Howard  was  gar- 
risoneil  by  four  companies  of  the  third 
United  Slates  infantry.  The  officers 
and  their  families  were  educated  and 
accomplished  people,  with  few  sources 


of  recreation,  and  no  social  attachments 
outside  of  their  imiin;diate  circle. 
Naturally,  they  readily  formed  ac- 
(|iiaiiitance  with  the  few  families  who 
sought  a  home  at  thin  then  isolated 
place.  The  result  was  a  mutual  ciil- 
tis'alion  of  social  iiuallties;  and  to  this 
military  post  may  be  indirectly  traced 
much  of  the  politeiie?s  and  ailabilily 
of  niaiiner  visible  in  the  remnant  of 
early  settlers  in  our  midst.  Anion!; 
tli(!se  officers  and  their  families,  Jlr. 
liaird  and  his  young  wife  became  great 
favorites,  and  so  remained  till  the  post 
was  broken  up,  about  lt>52.  The  gen- 
erous hospitality,  rare  pidileness,  and 
ri'linemeiit  of  their  home,  has  lieen  as 
familiar  as  a  househidd  word.  Senator 
llowe  said  at  their  golden  witdding  an- 
niversary, not  quite  a  year  ago,  that,  in 
coming  to  Green  Hay,  they  '•brought 
tlie  best  style  of  Christian  civilization 
with  them,  and  have  cherished  it  ever 
since." 

There  are  two  daughters  who  .sur- 
vive Mr.  liaird,  —  Mrs.  Fliza  Uaker  of 
(ireen  J5ay,  and  Mrs.  Louisa  Favill  of 
Madison.  It  is  in  his  iminediate  family, 
where  his  real  value  was  best  known, 
that  he  was  api)re<>iated  the  most.  In 
bis  relations  as  luisband,  father,  and 
fricMid,  he  proved  faithful  and  attached. 
lie  has  given  abundance  to  the  needy, 
spoken  words  of  sympathy  to  the 
alllictcd.  and  l(>nt  a  helping  hand  to 
more  than  one  young  man  struggling 
to  get  a  foolliolil  in  professional  or 
business  life.  The  bar  and  the  Ma- 
sonic order  attested  their  appreciation 
of  his  merits  by  giving  him  positions 
of  trust.  The  Stale  llistorioal  Society 
has  made  him  vice-i)resident  of  it  since 
its  organization;  and  his  portrait  hangs 
to-day  among  the  others  of  public  men 
on  the  walls  of  the  society's  rooms. 
The  memory  of  this  just  and  good 
man  will  be  preserved  fresh  and  fra- 
grant. 

IIo.v.  Solomon  .Tuxe.vu.  —  Solomon 
.Juneau,  the  first  settler  at  Milwaukee, 
died  at  the  Meiiomoiiee  Pay  ( Jrouiid,  oil 
Wolf  Kiver  in  Shawano  t'ounty,  Wis- 
consin. Nov.  14,  l.S.")(;,  aged  about  sixty- 
six  years.  Jlr.  Juneau  came  to  Mil- 
waukee in  June,  ISls,  as  an  employe  of 
the  Aiiiericaii  Fur  Company,  aceonip.v 
nied  by  his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Jaci|ues 
Vii'.aii;  having  selected  this  location, 
then  an  Imliaii  village,  for  a  conve- 
I  nient  trading-post,  with  no  white  set- 
I  tier  ill  Wisconsin  nearer  than  (Ti-eeii 
I  Bay  and  Prairie  tin  Cliieii.  He  built 
I  here,  in  I82'J,  iha  lirst  lo^-house,  and, 
i  in  18:i4,  the  Ural  frame-building,  e.eclcJ 


732 


IIISTOUY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


an 
inaii 


ill  Milwimkeo.  Ilcie  lie  cinilimu'd  ti) 
I'csido,  ii'iiriiis  iil>  :i  family  of  fimrtei'ii 
C'liililioii,  lliirli'i'ii  of  wliuiii  Were  lidin 
ill  tlic  lity.  lie  WM-i  at  din'  tiiiu"  tlui 
I>ri)|)i'i('lor  of  a  lai.it"  pniiion  of  lt<  tcrri- 
loiy.  Wlicn,  ill  ]s  ;.">.  a  i)ost-oflifo  was 
ostalilixlicil,  Mr.  .Iiiiicau  wa-i,  by  I'oiii- 
inoii  I'onsoiit,  a|i|ioiii|i'(l  i)oslma-ti'r, 
wliioli  olliec  111!  lilli'ii  for  iiino  years. 
In  lS4(i,  wlii'ii  Milwaiikcr  l)L'caiii(i  a 
city,  li<;  was  ilio><'ii  ||n>  iir>f  mayor. 
Slioilly  aflL'r,  lii;  removed  to  Dodye 
County. 

Jlr.  Juneau  was  a  man  of  excellent 
Hcnse,  of  ijeiieroiis  impulsos,  of  a  kindly 
and  alVeelionalo  disposition,  and  of  a 
lofty  and  lionoralilu  nature,  lie  suc- 
cessfully niaiiilained  his  reputation  as 
lioiie.st,  iioriiiht,  str.-ii'jiilforward 
.  The  Indians  re-^arded  him  as  a 
true  friend  and  Irusiy  eoniisellor.  He 
died  without  enemies,  and  left  thon- 
bands  of  friends  to  mourn  the  loss  of  a 
pood  citizen  and  a  true  man.  His  re- 
mains were  carried  to  Milwaukee  for 
interment. 

Hon.  ,Iames  Sutiieki.and.  —  .lames 
Sutherland  was  horn  on  a  farm  in 
.lelTersoii  Coniily.  in  the  Static  of  Ohio, 
March  L'O,  1820.  When  thirteen  ye.irs 
of  ane,  he  remov(!d  with  his  parents  to 
liieliland  County,  in  the  same  State. 
His  fallier  Iiere  settleil  on  a  farm  near 
the  villa'.'C  of  Ashland.  At  tliis  village 
lie  received  an  academical  education, 
obtaiiiinij;  the  means  Iherelor  hy  leacli- 
iiii;  a  common  school,  hut  suh>iM|ueiitly 
hecanie  ateachi'r  in  the  Ashlanil  Acad- 
emy. In  consccpieiice  mainly  of  too 
close  apiilication  to  study,  his  liealtli 
hecame  so  much  iniiiaireil  as  to  com- 
pel him  to  ijive  up  his  cherished  ohject 
of  (akinir  a  rei^nlar  cullci^iale  course. 

In  Decemher.  l.suiil,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Kli/aliet)i  Wilhington  of  Ashland, 
and  in  May,  1.S47,  emigrated  to  tlie 
Territory  of  Wisconsin,  and  settled  at 
JanesviUe,  where  ho  has  ever  since 
resided.  His  business  lias  been  that 
of  a  bookseller  and  stationer:  and  his 
store  now  ranks  among  the  (iist  of  its 
kind  in  the  State. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  .State  Mass 
Convenlion  when  the  liepubliean  party 
was  orjinized  in  Wisconsin,  and  has 
always  been  one  of  its  warm  adherents, 
as  well  as  a  lirm  advocate  of  its  prin- 
ciples. 

In  the  fall  of  ]S."4  he  was  elected  to 
the  State  senate  from  the  seventeenth 
district,  and  was  re-(dcclcd  in  18.")(i. 
While  in  the  si'iiate.  ho  servcil  three 
years  as  chairman  of  the  Commitlsc 
on  Educati(jn,  School  and  University 


for  the    timely   ml i odneiion    of 
measure,  this   fund,  logeiher  wi 
normal  schools,  would  have  bei 
to  the  cause  of  education. 

He  is  a  lifi'-inemher  and   one  of  the 


vice-presidents  of 
.Society  of  Wi~<'o 
his  interest  in 
iiting    towards    i 
serving  til 
years 


the  State  Hi^toiiciil 
in.  and  has  c\  ini'cd 
.rlfiire  hy  centrih- 
support.  Hcsiilfs 
if  .lancsville  sevi 


oHice. 

In  whatever  capacity  Mr.  Sutherland 
.acts,  ho  is  iiiiluslrioiis  anil  faithful, 
and  is  one  of  the  I'literprising  citizens 
of  .laiiesville  who  have  given  it  a  new 
impclus  in  business  and  prosp,'rity  hy 


J,... ..  ..  ..  ...  w 

business  and  prosp,.rity  by 
building  ii|)  its  pre^i'iit  magiiiliceut 
manufactories. 


pre^i'iit 

KltWAIiD 


Ho.v.     KltWAIiD     V.     Wiiirox.  — 

Among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Wi-con- 
siii,  .Fnilgc  Whiton  has  been  one  of  the 
most  prominent  men  for  many  years. 
Ho  sellled  in  .JanesviUe  in  ls:J7,  and 
purchased  a  tract  of  laud  iii'ar  the 
present  city.  Here  he  IjuiU  his  rude 
log-cabin,  iis  was  tln^  fashion  of  the 
day,  living  in  it  alone,  beinu',  at  that 
time,  unmarried,  lie  immcdiati'ly  en- 
tered upon  the  pnielice  of  the  law.  In 
l.^ilW  he  was  elected  to  the  lower  house 
of  the  legislature,  that  being  the  lirst 
session  which  conveiieil  in  thi~  eity. 
He  was  roidectcd  to  the  lirst  ses-ion  in 
IS;J!),  and  was  the  spi'aker  of  Ih.?  house 
during  the  seconi!  session  of  that  year. 
During  the  same  year,  he  went  to 
Albany,  and  su)iervised  the  i)ublieation 
of  the  Territorial  .Statutes. 
tinned  to  represent  his  disii 


IllSTOItr  OF    W/SCO.XSIN. 


788 


immiiiopdf  tli(>  Di'iir  crati iivi'iilicni ; 

iiiiil  llioiiuli  !i  Wliii,'.  Willi  (Ircicli'd  WIi!;; 
views,  such  wa-i  lin'  iiiiivcisal  rimli- 
iji'lii'o  in  liiiii.  anil  m>  i^ical  his  |ii>|iiilai'i- 
1y,  llial  hi'  was  vlrrtril  liy  a  hanilsuinc 
maj'^rity.  iim wilhstamlini,'  llii'  rimiit 
was  at  llial  liiiir  sIimml;  y  DciiU'cralii', 
At  llial  lliiit!  Ihc  Sii|iii'iniM 'iiint  was 
ciiiiiiMiscdiil'  llio  rirciiil  jmlm's;  ami  ho 
was.  fill'  a  liiiii',  oliicf  jiisfii'i!  (if  iliat 
c'luirt.  In  1S.")2.  tin'  law  oi-yanizliiL;  Iho 
pri'si'iil  ,sii|pii'nie  (Iiitiii  was  cnarli'il. 
.Iiiiljii'  I.analii'i'  was  iicmiinalcil  by  tlio 
Di'iiiiicnits  f(ir  cliicl'  jiisiu'i".  Tho  Slate 
was  ilini  stniiiuly  Oi'mcicialir.  liiil 
till' pi'o|il<'  ri'viilli'd  anainst  tlirir  li'uil 
rrs.  Kvi'i-ywhi'i'e  |mlilii'  scntiinoni 
piiiiitcd  to  .Judiii'  Whitiin.  as,  ahnvo  all 
iilhcl'  nii'ii  ill  liir  Stair,  Iho  iiiaii  to  fill 
that  ri'spousihli'  posjiion.  A  pcoplo's 
cniivi'iitioii  was  Ihc  coiisoipn'iK'o  of 
that  .scnijiiii'nl,  at  which  lie  was  nonii- 
nati'd  hy  acclainalioii :  and  Ills  I'lcction 
over  the  candidale  of  the  donilnaiil 
Jiarty,  at  thai  lime.  In  Ihe  leelh  of  pally 
drill,  was  a  triiinipliiinl  vliidicalioii  of 
the  sysleiii  of  an  elcclivi!  judioiary. 
His  Iciiii  explriii!;  in  l."^.")",  ho  was  re- 
elecled  liy  a  majority  of  some  Iwelvo 
Ihoiisand,  and  upwards,  over  llie  re,;;u- 
lar  nominee  of  Ihe  Demoerallc  parly. 

.Indue  Whilon  was  a  native  of  l.ee, 
llerksliiro  County.  Mas»i.,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  dealli,  April  12,  IS.V,),  was 
in  the  lifly-foiirlli  year  of  his  a'^e.  In 
his  daily  wall;  and  c  iiveisation,  he 
secured  the  respect  of  all  men.  On  the 
lunch  li(^  was  an  exemplar  of  judicial 
liropriely  and  judicial  iinparlialily.  All 
men  ronlided  in  him:  all  men  that 
knew  him  honored  him;  and  his  loss 
to  Ihe  .Sialc  is  a  puhlic  calainily. 

Ilox.  IIi:xitY  DoUGK. — Henry  Dodse, 
one  of  Ihe  pioneers  and  prominent  men 
of  Wisconsin,  was  horn  Oct.  IL',  HS'J. 
at  Viiiccnnes.  in  that  portion  of  the 
North-weslorn  Territory  wliicli  now 
coiislimies  Iho  .State  of  Indiana.  He 
removed  lo  Missonri,  where  he  jiassed 
eonsiderahle  of  the  earlier  iiorlion  of 
Ills  life.  Ill  18(KS,  ho  held  Iho  (dlice  of 
shorilT  of  Capo  (iirardeau  Oounly.  In 
ispj  lie  was  chosen  captain  of  a 
mounted  rillo  ciiin|iany;  and,  in  Spi>- 
leiiiliorof  that  year,  he  was  appointed 
major  of  the  I.oui-iana  Territorial 
iiiilitia.  Ho  continucil  in  service  diir- 
iir,'  Ihe  war  until  October.  1SI4,  risin<; 
to  the  rank  of  lieulenant-colonel;  and 
in  1814  ho  eoninianded  an  expedition 
sent  up  the  Missouri  Uivor  against  the  j 
Indians,  anil  ho  i)arlicipated  largely  in  I 
the  trials  and  ditliculties  incident  to  tho  | 
early  settlement  of  that  State.     In  1827 


he  removed  to  Wisconsin,  llieii  a  part 
of  .Micbiyaii  Tcirilory,  and  sellled  near 
Dodgcvill.  ,  In  llie  niiniiifi-dislrict,  anil 
cnna'.'cil  in  tin-  business  of  mlniiii;. 
.Uioul  Ibis  time,  he  loid<  a  prominent 
part  in  the  Wiiineliaiio  Indian  war. 
He  w'as  appointed  major  of  the  rnlled 
States  Itaniji'i's  in  .liine,  t.H:!L',  and 
eiiloiicl  of  Ihe  First  l)rai,'oons  on  llio 
•Itli  of  .Marcli.  ls;):i,  which  position  ho 
resitjned  about  throe  years  afterwards, 

Aflerwards  he  held  Ihe  ])osition 
of  colonel  In  Ihe  lilaek  Hawk  war.  and 
dis|jtii,'iiisheii  him-cif  for  the  prompt, 
enorgol  ic,  and  decisive  manner  in  which 
he  conducled  Ihe  part  assi'.;iicil  lo  liim. 
He  aci|iiii'ed  a  liigb  repnlalion  as  a 
military  olliccr  in  eondiiciing  cani- 
jiaigns  aiiaiiisi  ilielndians:  ami  in  this 
dcparlmeiil  he  had  few,  if  ,iny,  supe- 
riors. He  I'Ci-amc  at  this  time  inti- 
mately acipialnled  willi  the  counliy, 
ami  Olio  of  lis  must  |irominent  and 
useful  cilizciis.  ITpon  tlic  organizalion 
of  the  Territory  ..f  AViscoiisin  in  18:iil, 
he  was  appoinled  by  I'res.  .lack.son  its 
lirst  governor,  and  continued  lo  bold 
that  ollico  uiilil  Ihe  :'.(llli  of  Sepleiuber, 
1841,  when  li(^  was  elcclcd  delegate  to 
Congress  froniWiscoiisin  Terrilory,  and 
eonlinued  in  that  olhce  until  the  8tli  of 
April,  184.'),  having  been  re-elected  in 
Seplenilior,  1841!.  On  Iho  8lli  "f  Ajiril, 
181."i.  ho  was  again  appointed  governor 
of  the  Territory,  and  conlinuod  to  bo 
i|s  governor  nniil  llu^  2l)tli  of  May, 
184's,  when,  upon  the  admission  of 
Wisconsin  into  the  I'liion,  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Hon.  Xelson  Dcwoy.  who 
hail  been  elected  iindor  our  Stale  con- 
slilution.  Upon  the  organization  of 
the  Stale  governtneut  in  .jnin-,  1848.  ho 
was  olectod  as  oiu^  of  its  lirsi  senators 
to  represent  Wisconsin  in  Congress,  and 
was,  on  tho  twentieth  day  <,f  January, 
]8.")1,  re-elected  to  the  United-Slates 
senate  for  tho  torni  of  six  years.  At 
the  expiration  of  this  lerni  in  IN}",  he 
retired  from  public  life,  and  aflerwards, 
and  nnlil  tho  time  of  his  dealh,  he 
resided  part  of  the  time  at  .^linoral 
I'oint,  in  this  Stale,  and  part  of  tho 
time  in  IJurliiigton,  lo..  where  his  son, 
Hon.  Angnsius  V,.  Dodge,  resides. 

Gkn.  Wii.i.lAM  It.  Smith.  —  Gen. 
William  Hudolph  Sinilli  was  born  Aug. 
;51,  1787,  at  La  Trappe,  Monluomery 
Coiinly,  ronn.  His  ancestors  on  his 
father's  side  were  from  Scotland,  and 
on  his  molher's  were  the  liudolphs 
from  Sweden,  early  settlers  in  Dela- 
ware. He  was  eduealed  under  Ihe  earo 
of  his  grandfather,  l{ev.  Dr.  William 
Smith,  the  first  provost  of  tlie  college, 


784 


niHTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


now  University  of  Pennsylvania,  who 
was  a  iiDtcd  wiitiT  In  \\U  ilay.  ami 
wlioxi  wiirlis  wi'H'  piililhlicd  III  two 
Viiliimct  III  ISiiL'.  (ii'ii,  Siiiilli's  I'atliiT 
was  William  .Mimhc  Sniilli,  a  ilisliii- 
guUluHl  lawyer  and  pmt,  whose  wcirks 
wen'  repiMiled  in  Loiidun  in  ITSII. 

In  ISii;!  Williiini  >looie  tSniilli  wiMit 
to  Kii^^liiiid  as  the  aiieiit  for  claimants 
under  the  sixth  ariiele  of  the  ''Jay 
Treaty"  <if  IT'.M;  and  his  eldest  son, 
the  snhjcet  of  this  not  lee.  aeeompanied 
him  as  Ids  i)rivate  secretary,  anil  re- 
nialni'd  two  years.  Diirin','  this  sojourn 
in  Kii:,'laiid,  yoiiii!;  Smith  commenced 
the  study  of  the  law  under  the  diicclion 
of  Thomas  Kearseyof  the  Middhn'em- 

{)le',  and,  relnrnhiK  to  Philailelphia, 
U!  compli'ted  his  IcLjal  studies  with 
James  JUIuor,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
har  in  1S08.  While  prosoeullliK  his 
le^al  studies,  h(!  found  time  to  d(^vote 
niueli  attention  to  ])olllo  literature,  in 
which  he  was  eucouraned  hy  many 
leading  men  of  I'hiladidphia,  particu- 
larly iiy  his  intimate  friend,  .loscph 
Dennic,  the  "Amerieau  Addison,"  and 
the  first  editor  of  '•  The  Portfolio."  At 
this  period,  ho  wrote  a  i;i-eat  deal  of  fu- 
fjilive  poetry,  —  a  dramatic  moiiolof;ne, 
Aviiich  was  printed  and  performe<l ;  a 
translation  from  I  lie  French  of  Sir 
William  .fones's  Kssay  oii  Oriental 
Poetry,  which  was  published  in  a  scries 
of  numbers  in  "The  Porlf<ilio;"  ami 
m.any  of  his  literary  essays  found  their 
way  into  the  mau'a/.ine  publications  of 
the  time;  but  they  have  never  been 
collected  and  emiiodied  in  book-form. 

Marryin;;  in  IHOl),  \\o.  settled  at  Ilunt- 
ini;;doii,  on  the  .lunlata  Kiver,  pursnin;; 
Ids  profession  for  the  next  twenty  years. 
During  this  period,  he  had,  at  different 
times,  represented  his  county  and  dis- 
trict in  the  house  of  representatives 
and  senate  of  Pennsylvania,  Such  was 
Ills  standinc;,  that,  while  a  niend)er  of 
the  hiuise  in  18-(!,  he  was  appointed 
one  of  the  nnmagers  on  (he  p.art  of  the 
house  to  conilnct  the  lm])i'acbmenf  of 
Judge  Walter  Franklin  bi'fore  the  Slate 
senate,  lie  held,  at  various  periods, 
a  large  number  of  military  oftu^es.  from 
lieutenant  up  to  brigadier-general.  He 
removed,  in  18:51),  to  a  farm  in  liedford 
Oounty,  in  that  State,  and  still  fcdlowed 
Ills  profession;  and.  in  18:!0,  he  wiis 
chosen  one  of  the  electors  of  President 
and  Vice-President  of  the  Uidted  States 
for  tlie  State  of  Pemi.sylvania.  and  cast 
his  vote  for  Van  Jhu-en  and  Johnson. 

In  18^37  he  was  appointed  a  commls- 
fiioner,  in  conjunction  with  (Jov.  Henry 
Dodge  of   Wisconsin,   to  negotiate  a 


treaty  with  the  Chipi>ewa  Indiana,  wha 
wi^re  convened  at  Port  .Snclling,  and 
which  resulted  in  the  puiihasc  of  a 
territory  embracing  nuicb  of  the  pres- 
ent State  of  .Minnesila,  Im^liidliig  the 
rich  pini'-forests  of  the  St.  Croix  and 
its  tributarii's.  Having  his  attcntioii 
tints  aitrai'Icil  to  the  boundless  re- 
sources (if  the  great  N'orlh-wcst,  ho 
prcparecl  iin  interesting  work,  entitled 
"Observations  on  Wi«coii-in  Terri- 
tory," which  was  published  the  fol- 
lowing year.  in  I8;!8  he;  remijved 
with  his  family.  lo  .Mineral  Point,  In 
Wisccmsiu,  where  \w  made  his  lioinu 
the  remaindiM'  of  his  llt'i!. 

lie  was  appointed  adjutant-general 
of  that  Tcriitorv  in  I8:!il,  whi(  h  otiice 
he  held  until  ikvj.  In  184(1  he  was 
elected  secretary  of  the  legislative 
council,  and  the  same  year  was  chosen 
a  lUf'inber  of  tlu!  first  coiistiliitlonal 
convention.  In  ls41)  and  1S")(J  he  was 
<hlef  clerk  of  the  .State!  senati^  and  in 
INV)  lie  was  chosen  attorney-general  of 
the  State,  ami  served  for  tiie  term  of 
two  years.  In  18."i4  (Sen.  Smith  was 
chosen  preidilent  of  tlie  .State  Historical 
Society,  of  which  he  had  lieiMi  one  i>f 
the  founders  in  184',l,  and  before  which 
be  delivered  tlie  first  annual  address. 
He  held  this  position  until  18t)(),  having 
been  annually  re-elected.  At  the  re- 
questof  tin?  State,  (Jen.  Smith  collected 
materials,  and  prepared  a  history  of 
Wisconsin  from  Its  eaiilot  I-'rcnch  ex- 
ploration to  the  organization  of  the 
Territory  In  IS'lil,  which  was  |iul,ll>lied 
by  the  State  in  1804,  in  two  octavo 
volumes. 

(rcn.  Smith  h.as  iillerl,  with  ability, 
prominent  ])ositlons  in  the  Masonic 
fraternity  from  ISiili  to  18.jS,  when, 
from  advancing  years,  he  ileelined  fur- 
ther orticial  services;  having  served  as 
Orand  Secretary  of  llii'  (irand  Lodge  of 
Wisconsin,  (trand  .Secretary  of  the 
(irand  Koyal  .Vrcli  <  'liapter  of  the  State, 
and  (Jrand  .Master  of  the  Orand  Lodge 
iii  Whconsiii.  He  w.is  electeil  a  mem- 
ber of  the  NatiiMial  Institute  at  Wasli- 
ington  in  18tl.  of  the  Koyal  Society  of 
Antii|uaries  at  t'openbagen  in  18.")  t, 
of  the  llisdu'ical  .Societies  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, Florida,  Michiiiaii,  and  of  other 
.States,  and  of  the  N'cnv  Kngland  His- 
toric-tienealogical  Society  of  Uoston, 
Mass. 

Gen.  Smith  died  at  the  residence  of 
one  of  his  children,  at  (Juincy,  111., 
Aug.  ;i2,  18(58,  in  the  eigUty-Hrst  year 
of  his  age. 

Du.  .iditx  W.\Ki!isv  Hunt.  —  Dr. 
John  Warren  Hunt  w.is  born  at  Upper 


nisTony  of  nvsco.vs/.v. 


73fi 


Li^lc.  nrM>mf>  rimiity,  X.Y.,  F.'b.  2S, 
ISL'd  anil  wii"  till!  sou  iif  Dr.  Siimui'l 
M.  limit  (if  the  sanio  iiliii'i".  He  wa-i 
piUicMti'il  ill  lldiiiiT  Acnclciiiy,  N'cnv 
YmiU,  iukI  stiiili<'il  iiiiMliciiio  lit,  llic 
(!ii<llc'((iii  Mi'iliciil  Ciillcsic,  Vcrmiiiil. 
Ill  IH-ll)  111'  ii'iiiovril  to  \VI-ri>iisiii,  mill 
IiKMti'il  ;\t  Driiilli'lil,  111  till!  county  of 
WanUi'^lia,  wlirin  lii!  priicliscil  his 
lirol'i's-ioii.  Ill  .laiiiiaiy,  ISol,  ho  wiim 
aiipoliiti'il  hy  ll'iii.  \\.  A.  Harstow, 
si'crrlary  of  stair,  as  assistant  si'i.'ic- 
lary,  and  ri-iiiovi'il  to  MailKon,  anil 
cuti'ii'il  upon  till?  iliitk'S  of  his  oflh'o. 
Ilr  lirlil  this  position  (with  a  short 
inlrnuplion)  for  live  yoais,  until  ilaii. 
],  is.")7.  Dr.  Hunt  was  an  active  ami 
iiilliiciitial  iiKMiilier  of  tho  Masonic 
Fralcinily,  anil,  at  the  tiini!  of  his  dc- 
ceasi',  was  tins  (Jiaiid  Secretary  of  the 
Oranil  LodLje  of  the  Stato,  of  the  Grand 
Chapter,  Royal  and  Select  >rasters,  and 
(Iraiiil  Couinianilery.  lie  took  an  ac- 
tive part  ill  the  rc-orgaiiization  of  the 
State  Historical  Soclily,  in  IS.^1,  and 
was  elected  record  iiii;  secretary;  which 
olHcehe  held  until  his  death, — a  period 
of  live  year,'.  In  18.j:J  lie  puhlished 
Ills  (Jazetteer  of  Wisconsin,  — a  volume 
of  two  hundred  and  lifty-six  pa};es,  a 
work  of  much  merit,  and  which  had 
the  elTect  to  draw  the  attention  of 
emigrants  to  the  Stale;  and  in  IS.ld 
Ills  Wisconsin  Alman.iO  and  Annual 
]ic:4ister  of  ninety-six  pages,  — a  work 
of  iiiiich  statistical  value,  and  wdiich 
has  liceii  snliseijueiitly  republished. 
Dr.  lliint  died  at  Madison,  Dec.  12, 
l.S.'iO,  ill  the  thirty-fourth  year  of  his 
ap'. 

Hon*.  Louis  P.  IIaiivky.  —  Louis 
rowell  Harvey  was  born  at  East 
iladilain,  Conn..  July  t2,  1820,  and 
removed  with  bis  parents,  in  1828,  to 
Strongsville,  Cuyahoga  County,  O, 
He  entered  Western  Iteserve  College 
at  Hudson  in  18:!7,  and  pursued  his 
studies  two  years,  when  ho  left  on 
account  of  ill-health.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  teaching,  whiub  he  followed 
in  Kentucky,  and,  subsequoutly,  as  a 
tutor  iu  Woodward  College,  Cincin- 
nati. Marrying  in  1841,  he  removed 
to  Wisuonsiu,  and  settled  first  In 
Soiitbport  (now  Kenosha),  where  he 
was  engaged  for  six  years  iu  teaching, 
and  in  editing  "  The  Southport  Amer- 
ican "  newspaper.  In  1847  he  settled 
in  Clinton,  Uock  County,  where  he 
engaged  in  merchandise,  and  wdiere 
he  continued  four  years,  when  he 
removed  to  Waterloo,  now  known  as 
Sbopiere,  where  he  made  his  residence 
during    the    remainder    of    his    life. 


Hero  he  purchased  the  water-power, 
and,  removing  a  ili^liilery,  ereeled  a 
tluuriiig-mill,  which  l.i;  cariieil  mi  In 
conueeliim  with  hi  <  niercaiililu  pur- 
suits. 

His  first  advent  Into  public  life  was 
as  a  memlier  of  thi!  ('niistilutional 
(,'onveiitioii  which  fr.mied  tlie  Slate 
Constitution  in  IHl";  and,  although 
one  of  the  younger  memlieis,  he  took 
an  active  part  in  its  delilieralioiis,  and 
assumed  a  leading  position.  In  the 
fall  of  lS.-.;t  he  was  elected  a  State 
senator  of  the  southern  district,  Itock 
County,  and  conllnued  in  lliat  iiosition 
four  years,  having  lieen  re-:  lecled  in 
18.").),  and  the  last  term  of  which  ho 
was  president  pro  (fi'i.  In  IH.'il)  ho 
was  elected  to  tlie  re-ixnisilili-  position 
of  secretary  of  stale,  which  olliee  hy 
lielil  two  years.  He  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Hoard  of  Kegeiils  i  f  the 
.State  University,  and  was  ever  found 
a  true  friend  to  the  cause  of  popular 
education.  In  L'^lil  he  was  clecteil 
chief  magistrate  of  the  Slate  by  a  large 
majority,  and  entered  on  tlie  duties 
of  this  position  on  the  sixth  day  of 
.January,  lsti2.  On  tiie  reieipt  of  the 
news  of  the  batlie  of  Sliiloii,  (Jov. 
Harvey  felt  it  to  be  his  duly  to  repair 
at  once  to  the  scene  of  iictioii,  and  to  do 
what  was  in  his  power  to  alleviate  the 
sufferings  of  the  many  loyal  sons  of 
Wisonsin  who  bad  been  wounded  on 
that  oeca-ion.  His  mission  was  emi- 
nently successful;  iiliil  after  having 
faitlifiilly  performed  tliis  duty,  greatly 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  soldiers,  he 
prepared  to  return  boiiic.  Having 
liade  them  adieu,  he  repiircd  to  a  boat 
in  the  liarlior  of  Savannah,  to  await 
the  arrival  of  another  that  was  soon 
expected,  and  wliicli  was  to  convey 
him  anil  bis  friends  to  Cairo  on  their 
boineward  trip.  It  was  lale  in  the 
evening,  and  the  night  w.is  dark  and 
rainy.  The  lioat  soon  arrived;  and  as 
she  roiiiidcd  to — the  bow  toiubinr; 
the  one  upon  whicli  be  stood  —  hi 
took  a  step,  as  it  woiiid  seem  to 
move  out  of  danger  ;  Imt  by  a  mis- 
step, or  perhaps  a  stumble,  he  fell 
overboard  lietween  the  two  boats  into 
the  Tennessee  Hiver.  wliere  tiie  current 
was  strong,  and  the  water  over  thirty 
feet  deep.  Kvery  thing  was  done  to 
save  his  life,  but  to  no  purpose.  His 
body  was  subseipiently  found  p.nd 
brought  to  Madison  for  interment. 

Gov.  Harvey  was  in  the  forty-iiird 
year  of  his  age. 

Gov.  LEoNAnn  J.  Farwfi.i..  — • 
Leontird  J.  Farwell  v.  as    t!'.«  sou  of 


73G 


HISTORY  OF   WISCOysiS. 


Ciipt.  .liunos  Parwcll  and  licbocea 
''adv  liis  wif(^;  ainl  was  bcirii  at 
AVatVitown,  N.V.,  Jan.  "-,  ISli).  Ili.-i 
fathiir  (lied  in  ly:!il,  iind  his  niijlnci  in 
IS-'-i.  After  a  sliorl  cxiiiTienoo  as  clerk 
ill  ii  diy-gocids  store,  lio  became  ap- 
pfontice  to  a  tinsmith,  and  fnMowod 
that  oeeiipatiiii'  until  the  age  ot  niiic- 
Wm\.  \li'.  first  removed  to  Loeli])ort. 
III.,  with  a  small  slock  of  hardware  ai]d 
iifew  tools  of  his  trade,  and,  for  the  time 
mid  place,  soon  established  a  thriving 
business.  In  January,  lS-10,  lie  sold 
out  his  stock  and  stori'.  and  removed 
to  the  then  new  village  of  Milwaukee, 
in  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  and 
embarked  iu  business  on  a  hirger 
scale,  and  iu  a  few  years  was  a'  the 
lieail  of  one  of  the  largest  who  sale 
houses  iu  the  West.  Ten  years  later, 
owing  to  impaired  health,  and  liaving 
secured  ;i  largi^  fortuiu!  for  those  days, 
lie  withdrew  from  mereau'ile  traffic  to 
engage  in  other  enterprises.  In  1847 
he  visited  JIadison,  and  effected  a 
large  purchase  of  village  property, 
including  th(^  unoccupied  water-power, 
and  soon  after  mai'e  a  trip  to  Euroj)C 
and  Easti'in  countries,  returning  in 
lS4i1.  !^)u  his  return,  he  hogaii  the 
improvement  of  the  water-power,  the 
erection  of  mills,  the  opening  of 
streets,  d  a'ning  of  low  lands,  and 
other  iiiea  ures  designed  to  benefit  the 
village.  Perhaps  no  one  person  did 
more  to  promote  the  interests  of  Madi- 
son thai'  I..  .1.  Karwell.  Js'o  impor- 
tant interest,  structure,  or  association 
was  inaugurated,  which  he  cither  did 
not  originate,  or  contribute  to  its  suc- 
cess by  his  means  or  inllueiiee.  He 
not  only  built  mills,  to  which  allusion 
lias  been  made,  but  starli'd  tin;  first 
woolleii-iactoiy,  and  the  first  maclijue- 
sliop  and  foundery.  lie  set  the  ex- 
ample of  first  grading  and  filling 
streets,  and  building  side  and  cro>s 
walks;  and,  in  the  proji^cted  railroad 
enterprises  dc.dgned  to  benefit  Jladi- 
son,  li<!  embarked  heartily  ami  liber- 
ally. The  citizens  of  -Vtadisou  will 
always  bear  clieeiful  witness  to  the 
greatness  of  his  ellorts.  which  had  for 
their  ob; 'ct  the  promotion  of  her  best 
intere-ls. 

In  ISOl  l.e  was  iioir'nated  for 
governor  by  he  Whig  paity.  ind  was 
elected:  the  remainder  of  the  Slate 
ticket  was  Democraiie.  Tin'  Whig 
party  of  Iha.  day  was  |,iit  a  wi'wk  and 
feeble  noii'.rily.  ft  had  few  elements 
of  streii;th,  and  le-s  s.igacity  of  nian- 
agemeut.  In  the  Stale  (.'onveiition  of 
ISol,  however,  it  received  an  iiuijctu- 


by  the  ui.inimous  nomination  of  Mr. 
I'arwell :  a  single  name,  presented  at 
the  right  m  in:ent,  raised  the  enthu- 
siasm of  thi  party.  Of  the  i)ublic 
career  of  Gov  Farwedl,  it  is  not  neces- 
sary to  spea  :  at  any  considerablo 
leiigtli.  The  structure  of  the  gov- 
ernment was  then  imniatuie,  tlio 
l)o;iulalion  scanty,  ami  the  [lolicy  of 
development  undefined.  To  lay  the 
foundation  of  the  new  republic  deep 
and  wiile,  to  establish  a  i)oliey  <if  com- 
prehensive statesinauship  llial  should 
provide  for  the  present,  insure  the 
future,  and  prove  enduring  as  lime, 
was  the  important  duty  of  the  Kxecii- 
tive.  How  well  and  wisely  this  was 
done  is  attested  by  the  development 
of  the  Stale  in  all  its  varied  inti'rests, 
and  the  widespread  prosperity  that  is 
now  visible  in  all  its  parts. 

(lov.  Farwell  was  married  Sept.  20, 
lSi);3,  to  Jliss  Frances  A.,  daughter  of 
Gen.  A.  N.  Corss  of  Madison,  for- 
merly of  Watertown,  N.Y.  She  died 
at  Washington,  D.C.,  A-nil  15,  I'dS. 
The  liiianeial  revulsion  of  18.17  pri>ved 
vi'ry  severe  on  the  fortunes  of  Gov. 
Farwell,  as  he  was  largidy  interested  in 
railroad  <  uterprixes;  and,  their  value 
being  depre-sed,  he  was  oliligud  to 
suspend  and  close  up  his  business,  In 
the  spring  of  18(13,  ho  was  appointed 
by  I'res.  Lincol  i  as  assistant  examiner 
in  the  Patent  Ofliee,  Washington,  ami, 
throe  months  later,  was  princ.pal  ex- 
aminer of  inv(!itions,  —  a  position  he 
held  for  nearly  seven  years,  when  ho 
resigned  to  re-embark  in  the  same 
business  at  Chicago:  at  Ihe  latter  l)lace, 
he  siifTercd  by  loss  at  the  great  lire  in 
October,  1871.  He  has  since  that 
time  lived  at  Grant  City,  Worth 
('onuty.  Mo. 

t;i)vi;RN()u  Edward  KALOMoy. — 
Kdwai<l  Salotuon  was  Ihh-ii  near  11,11- 
bersladt,  in  Pjiissia,  in  lSl'8;  received 
an  academic  education  in  the  same 
city;  and,  when  suflieiently  (|ualified, 
entere<l  the  university  at  IJerlin,  where 
ho  directed  his  attention  pjiiK'ipally  to 
mathematics,  philosophy,  natural  his- 
tory, (Sec.  Having  fiiushed  his  colli'go 
course,  and  tr.keii  his  di-giee.  he  pursued 
his  favorite  studies  till  he  came  to 
America  in  the  fall  ul  ISlii.  On  his 
arrival  here,  he  lived  at  Manitowoc  for 
three  yenrs ;  where  he  di^ihargi'il  the 
duti(.'s  (  f  school-teacher,  couuty-sur- 
veyor.  and  deputy  clerk  of  the  circuit 
court,  ill  sueees-iou.  .Vt  the  end  of 
that  lime,  he  (Mine  t'l  .Milwaul<ce,  w'lcre 
he  studieil  \■.^\\■  wiib  V..  G.  Kyan.  Esq., 
uiid  was  admitted  t:i  tlie  bar  in  180<). 


7UST0RT  UF   WISCONSIN. 


T87 


I-eo  till 
Ik 


;is  !,'()Vcl'- 
iiii-iii.     Al'ior 
years  iii  thai,  cajia- 


---;■(',   al 
....... .if  olliiM>,  ho  ' 

^.  ... ....  f;i>vc'niim'iit  cii- 

uly  war  uilh  Ihi.-  Smill 


lie  praotisod  law  in  Milwaul-u^; 
u;.i)ii    Iho   death   of    (Jov.    Harvey 

as  (lined  the  exei'Ulivc^  (ifli 

\\i\-  (if  th('  Slate  of  Wise 
1  avMiL?  served  two  ; 
:ily,  111!  resumed  the  praetiee  of  law  111 
Milwdiliec;  and  is  now  eiii;a,i:e(l  in  tlic 
same  in  t!((i  elly  of  N'ew  VorU,  a  lield 
lit  for  his  talents,  whieh  are  of  no 
(inlinary  decree.  Inimeillalely  on  the 
death  of  (iov.  Harvey,  which  took 
jilaee  soon  after  the  hatlle  of  I'illshiiric 
Landing,  I>ieiit,-(;ov.  Salomon  took 
]i(i~~essioii  of  the  executive  oftic 
Jladi^oii.  During  his  term 
suppovted  the  genera 

gaged  ill  a  liloody  wai   

and  proved  hinisclf  faithful,  eiicrgi  tic. 
.Tiid    persevering   in    his   eiideiivoi's   to 
siipjily  II  large  element  of  support  from  ; 
the  .Slate   he  governed,  to  suhdiie  the 
enemy.       In   ISliU    his    services    were  j 
es|ieeially  rcfpiircd   to   iill  up  thndcci-l 
mated  ranks  of  the  several  regiments,  j 
and  llie  draft  found  necessary.    I.i  this 
emergency  tlu!  governor  di~clr,irged  his 
duty  with  distinguished  aliility.     The  ! 
liidian  dislurhanees  In  the  Stale  during 
tliat  year  imiiosed  addiiional   lahor  on 
the  executive.     The  massacres  hy  the 

Indians  in  .Minn la,  the  Ihreatening 

aspect  of  Ihe  Wisconsin  Indians,  and 
the  gloomy  asjieet  of  pnlilic  alVairs, 
reiinired  iroojis  at  lionic';  and,  by  the 
advice  of  the  governor,  a  niilitia  was 
organl/cd  Utv  tlie  cinerceiicy.  In  every 
exigency   ihe   governor  was   found   at 

his    |)OSt. 

Aj;(  iiiusiDP    John    M.    Husxr. — 

The  new  archhl  hop  ■''  Milw(Uikce, 
.lohii  Jr.  Ileiini.  was  horn  In  I'pper 
Saxony,  t.'anton  tJraulninden.  Suit 
Z(  rlaiid.  on  the  l(!lh  ol  .(ill 
is  eoii-i:ip,ieiilly  seveuly  y 
He  began  his  slndlcs  in  Sf 
Luzerne,  and  upon  hU  gia 
cceded  to  Koine.  IIer(.'  he  io(( 
met  the  first  bi-hop  of  Ciiicinnall,  K(l- 
ward  Fenwiek.  who  was  on  ii  vi~lt  to 
the  hidy  see.  lie  nccdeil  young  wor 
crs  in  his  lloiiii^hing  vineyanl  '  ■' 
\ew  W'lilld,  and  w.e-  lifil  1 
iiig  young  Ileiini 
Work  of  carrying  llu; 
tioii  Into  the  wilds  oi  .Yiii-'i 
Ills  friend  .Marliii  Kundiiz,  who  was 
also  .studying  in  Itonie,  he  crossed  tlui 
sea.  and  arrived  in  Uallimore  In  \^'^\\. 
After  a  short  stay  in  that  city,  he,  in 
company  with  several  other  C(Uididale~ 
for  holy  orders,  j.'i-^ecded  to  a  semi- 
nary in  Itardstowi  .  to  prepare  for  ordl- 
iialion.  In  the  foil  iwing  year  they  were 
ordiiinod  to  the  pricslliood  by  15i-liop 


I,-<o."),  and 

ears  of  age. 

.  (i.illeii  and 

lualiou  pi-o- 

forliuialelv 


ill  the 
.,  iifil  long  ill  M'Ciii- 
to  aid  liliii  ill  the 
'  cross  and  civillza- 
(if  .Vm-rlca.     Willi 


Fenwiek.  After  offlciating  for  a  time 
ill  St.  I'l^ter'.s  f'liurch,  in  Cincinniili, 
he  was  transferred  lo  Canton,  ()., 
wlujro  he,  In  eonii'  "y  "''"i  another 
jiriost,  iierfoiined  ar.iiioiis  duties  be- 
tween tliat  town  and  Lake  Krio. 

While  J!l-hop  Fenwiek  was  .olnrn- 
iiig  from  -i  vl^it  to  Ihe  missionary  sta- 
tions in  the  .'stiu.-,  he  was  stricken  with 
sickness  in  llie  neighboring  town  of 
Worcester.  Jleiini  hastened  to  minis- 
ter to  iIk!  wants  of  his  sji-l;  patron,  but 
too  late:  the  soul  oi  his  friend  had  left 
its  tenement  of  clay,  for  brighter  worlds 
above. 

In  18:11  the  first  German  C.Mholio 
ehnreli  was  consecrated  in  Ciiicliinatl, 
I>i-liop  riircell,  Fenwick's  successor, 
liliding  his  lield  of  iiscfulness  eiihcged, 
soon  recalled  Falher  Ileiini  from  Can- 
ton, and  elevaled  him  to  the  Important 
position  of  vicar-general  id'  Ihe  see. 
Ill  is:!.")  he  made  a  tour  to  Kurope,  with 
the  view  of  Inlere-llng  the  Church  In 
the  .'Vmerican  missions.  He  succeeded 
admirably,  and  on  his  return  to  Ciii- 
cinnall establUhcd  an  orphan-asylum, 
and  a  (rcrnian  Catholic  journal,  the 
•MVahrhcit'  Freiind."  now  oiii!  of  the 
leadiii;;  cliurcli  journals  In  the  country. 
The  orphan-asylum,  the  ".St.  .Vloy- 
sltis,"  is  silll  In  existence,  and  Is  one 
id'  the  oldest  (iernian  instil  lit  ions  iu 
the  United  States. 

On  the  fourth  Sunday  after  Kaslcr, 
in  Is-l;!,  a  provincial  couneil  of  bi-hopn 
wa>  li.ld  In  Cinciiiiiiili,  al  which  Ileiini 
altcndeil,  and  iceeivnl  Ihe  .^ppniniment 
of  lii~Iiiipof  llie  newly  ('reeled  diocese 
of  Milwaukee.  In  the  niouth  id'  De- 
cember of  the  same  year,  the  iiominii- 
tion  was  eonbrniiil  by  a  I'apal  bull; 
and  on  the  I'.iih  id'  Maiidi,  IS-|.l.  he  wmh 
consecraicd  lii.-liop  in  the  old  XavciiiH 
Cathedral  iu  Ciiieliinali,  by  I!is|i..p 
I'urccll.  assisted  li\  JJisliop  .Mile-^,  of 
N'ashvlUe,  and  liishop  O'Connor,  of 
I'itlsbiirg-  On  the  liilh  of  .\prll  he 
started  bir  his  new  held  of  usefulness, 
aeeompaiiled  by  !!ev.  .Mr.  llci-s.  now 
bishop  (d'  La  (.'r.isse;  and  arrived  in 
Ibis  city  at  a  late  hour  m  the  night  of 
Ihe  :id  .if  May.  The  next  moiiiing  ho 
was  conducted  to  the  .small  wooden 
structure  on  Martin  Street,  next  daek- 
soii.  known  as  ,St.  I'eter's  Church. 
This  w.is  his  calhcdial.  -\l  that  time 
llie  eiiii.e  miniher  of  Catholics  in  the 
villag(>  and  lis  suiroiiiiiliii'..'s  did  nut 
niimbcr  two  thoiisatid.  The  enliie' 
di.icese'  numbered,  iirobahly,  not  over 
eiuht  thousand  inhabltanis.  There' 
were  but  live  or  six  priesis  in  the  tep- 
ritoiy,  who  olliciated  in  block-house's, 


788 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


except  Prairie  du  Clilon,  wliore  the 
worlc  of  orccliii!;  a  siilistiintial  ctcnio 
ulilico  was  c(iiiiiii(!iiccil,  In  tlie  liojio 
tliat  ttie  bisli«;>  winikl  locate  at  tliat 
point,  III  till"  followin!;  inouih  of 
August,  lie  paid  Iiis  {\r<  vi-it  to  (Jreeii 
Bay,  and  from  tlirncc  called  on  tlic 
Mi'Moinonce  Indians  on  Wolf  Kivor, 
and,  after  a  weary  journey,  ri'aolied  llie 
Cliipp.^wa  IndiaMs  at  La  I'idnf<',  L:il;i 
Superior,  where  Father  Krederick  l!ar- 
asa  Iiad  cstahlislied  a  llouri>hiii;^  inis- 
BJon.  Under  the  able  niana'ieuient  of 
tlij  liishop,  the  diocese  lici-an  to  ini- 
proi'e  both  in  numbers  and  prosperity. 
Kinitcratiou  was  .sellliuR  in;  ai.d  the 
chnreli  increased  in  communicants 
until  it  was  foiuul  necessary  to  erect  a 
hirger  place  if  worship.  St.  Mary's 
Cliurch,  corner  liroadway  and  Hiddle, 
this  city,  was  buill  and  consecrated  in 
tlie  summer  of  1S47.  Tlie  niunber  id' 
priests  li;id  also  increased  t )  thirty ;  and, 
in  tlie  fall  <if  the  same  year,  the  ceriier- 
stoni!  of  thecalliedral  w.as  laid  willi  im- 
posing ceremonies.  At  the  instanc*;  of 
the  worlhv  bishop,  a  hospital  had  also 
been  founded,  and  the  .Sisters  of  Cha- 
rity invited  to  take  charge  of  it. 

lie  left  for  IJome  to  see  the  Pope,  in 
January,  184-1,  and  reached  Trance  just 
as  the  Itevidulion  took  place  in  thai 
country  and  carried  its  baleful  influ- 
ences through  Germany  and  Italy. 
The  serious  a.  pect  of  att'aiis  ihroiuh- 
oiU  Europe  cause<i  him  to  postpone  his 
oriu'iual  intentions,  whicdi,  if  carried 
out,  would  iiave  resulted  in  his  being 
kept  from  his  dioceso  for  a  long  linn.'. 
Tliis  idiange  in  hi>  plans,  however, 
gave  him  time  to  vi-it  his  birthplace. 
When  Ui-liop  II(Mini  re|iirn<!d,  he  was 
received  with  great  <"iilliiisia-in  by  the 
peoiile  of  bis  diocese.  The  work  on 
the  cathedral  was  suspended  in  ordor 
that  the  funds  might  go  to  lue  ereclion 
of  an  oriihan-asyluni.  .V  building  wa.s 
also  purchased  for  111"  school  sisters; 
and  an  as-i)ciation  of  the  three  Kiun- 
ciscan  orders  settled  lulow  what  is 
now  IJay  View,  and  founded  the  semi- 
nary a  i  that  ]i"iiil.  St.  (Jail's  Church 
was  ;lNo  eic'cled  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  the  Irisli  Catholics;  and  Tiinily 
CUinrch  lor  the  (iermaiis,  who  were 
peltliic.;  ill  large  numbers  on  the  south 
Bide.  To  secure  means  to  complete  the 
cathedral,  l!i-liop  Ileniii  un<leilook  a 
Voya':<.'  to  Me.\ico  and  (.'uii.i.  In  the 
fidl  of  ls.")2  it  was  under  roof;  ami  i>n 
the  ;tlst  of  July  it  was  consecrated,  on 
which  occasion  the  Papal  Niinio 
Hedini,  and  other  dignitaries  of  the 
church,  presided. 


Bishop  IlennI  has  lived  to  see  his 
diocese  of  several  thousand  communi- 
cants grow  until  it  nnnibcrs  a  hundred 
and  seventy-live  thousiuid  (.'atliolics, 
witli  two  liiindred  and  forty-seven 
churches.  Of  the  present  importance 
of  the  diocese  it  is  unnecessary  to 
speak,  in  view  of  the  appointment  of 
the  venerable  bishop  t<i  the  andibish- 
opiic,  a  worthy  acknowledgment  of 
his  great  zeal  liy  the  pope.  The  i.'on- 
'•ccralion  of  Archbisho|)  ireniii  took 
place  in  .Milwaukee,  on  the  ITith  of 
Mav.  187."). 

llox.  J.\MEa  H.  LOCKWOOD.  — 
.l.imes  II.  liockwoorl  was  born  Dec.  7, 
no;,  at  Peru,  Clinton  County,  .V.Y., 
where  he  resided  until  his  sixt'  enth 
yi'ar,  and  comnicnced  the  study  of 
law;  which  he  aliaiidoned,  and  .accept- 
ed a  clerk-hip  in  a  store.  In  1814  Iio 
<'iigaged  as  clerk  to  a  sutler  iii  (icii. 
Izard's  arniv.  In  ISl.")  hi-  was  en- 
gaged to  the  sutler  of  the  I!ill.'  Regi- 
inent.  then  at  IJuffalo,  .and,  acce])tlng 
the  situation,  had  tlie  pleasure  of  rid- 
ing to  that  place  on  the  stage  which, 
with  colors  (lying,  bore  to  that  cily  the 
welcome  I idliii;s  of  ])ea<'e.  Tlie  troops 
were  ordered  Wc'st ;  and,  on  the  l.")tli  of 
.\ugiist,  he  arrived  at  .Mackinaw.  In 
ixpi  he  en'4a"_'Cil  in  the  fur-trade  at 
tlie  heail  of  .St.  Pi'ter's  liiver;  and  in 
ISID  finally  made  his  home  at  I'rairio 
dii  Chien.  where  he  spent  the  reinaiii- 
der  of  hi-  days.  lie  lilled  various 
liosts  if  honor  ami  u-efnine-s,  among 
them  that  of  judge  of  (.'rawford  Coun- 
ty 'vhen  that  county  colii))ri-ed  all 
that  territory  lying  north  of  tlie  Wis- 
consin iiivcr.  In  IS-.N)  he  built  the 
lirst  frame-lionse  in  Prairie  du  ('liicn  ; 
and  tills  was  the  building  occupied  by 
Col.  (afterward  President)  Taylor  when 
he  was  coiiimauding-olficer  at  I'"ort 
Cr.iwford. 

At  the'  request  of  the  .State  Histori- 
cal Society  of  Wisconsin,  .Iiidge  Lock- 
wood  pre|)ared  fir  the  second  vidiime 
of  tluir  Collections  an  article  on 
"  ICarly  rimes  and  Events  in  Wiscon- 
sin,''emboilyii:.;  th<'  leading' events  of 
bis  Western  lif''.  He  was  for  forty 
years  a  pioneer  In  the  loininerce,  nav- 
igation, milling,  liimlieriii'.;,  aiu 
trade  of  Wisconsin,  and  had  tli 
ilc'Xe  of  seeing  Wiscoli-.ill  risi 
coniparative  '.'i-curlty  to  Ihe  full  stat- 
ure of  a  Stale,  with  nearly  .-i,  million  of 
inhabilaiits.  And,  having  lived  a  long 
and  hoe./r.ii)i>:  life,  he  fell  like  a  shock 
of  corn  tiiUy  ripi'.  !Ie  v.us  in  the 
sixtv-fourlh  year  of  his  age.  He  died 
Aug.  -li,  1S.J7. 


d   I.' 


priv- 
froin 


niSTORT  OF 

WISCONSIN.                                    739 

his 

NATnAV  MvnTiiCK.  the  first  white 

Indians   had    been    there    about  one 

mi- 

gottlor at,  anil  tlio  original   proprietor 

month,  when  they  made  an  attack  on 

lled 

t)f,  the  town  of  "Prairie  la  Crosse," 

the    building,   riddling  the  door  and 

Ins, 

was  born  at  Westport,  Essex  County, 

windows  with   bullets.     Myrrick  had 

von 

N.Y.,  July  7,  mj.-i. 

hut  one  man  with  him  at  the  time. 

UlCC 

His  ancestors,  ])aternal  and  maternal, 

They  returned  the  fire,  fortunately  not 

1   to 

were  anioni;  the  first  settlers  of  Wi^st- 

killing   any   of    the   Indians.     During 

t  of 

port.    His  jjraTidfalher  was  a  soldier  in 

the  fray,  Alexis  Hailey,  who  was  well 

)lsh- 

the  army  of  the  lievolution.     His  fa- 

known  to  the  Indians,  returning  from 

of 

tlier  was  a  merchant,  and  the  propri- 

the "  upper  country,"  accompanied  by 

con- 

etor  of  several  mills, — woollen,  saw. 

several     teams,    appeared     upon     tho 

took 

and  Jurist  mills;  and  he  represented  the 

ground,   which    put    an   end    to    the 

1  of 

county  in   the  lei;islatu'e  of  the  State 

attack. 

several  years. 

During  the  winter,  he  prepared  the 

D.  — 

Nathan   was    the   second    of    three 

timber  necessary,  shoved  it  across  the 

•C.7, 

brothers.     The  youngest  died  at  West- 

river  on  a  hand-sled,    ind  with  it,  in 

^.Y., 

port;  the  next  was  killed  in  the  Sioux 

February,  l.'^4;i,  built  the  first  house  on 

ontli 

massacre  at  Yellow  Medicine  in  lS(i2; 

Prairie  la  Crosse.      Moving  his  goods, 

y  of 

and  the  oldest  resides   in   Minnesota. 

and  occupying  his   store,  he  became 

cept- 

The   suliject  of    this   sketch   received 

the    first    settler    at    that    important 

4  lio 

Ills  education  at  the  academy  at  \Vest- 

point. 

(Jen. 

port,  and  was  enfjaged  in  his  father's 
business    until    his    idiieteenlh    year; 

The  original   plat  of  the  town-site 

en- 

was  surveyed  by  Ira  Hrunson,  of  Prai- 

Rcni- 

when   he   left    home   for  the   "Great 

rie  du  Cliien,  in  the  summer  of  1842. 

pliiiS 

West,"   to.   as   the  saying   then   was, 

In    18.51     it    was    rc-snrveyed,    which 

f  lid- 

"  seek  his  fortune." 

somewhat  changed  the  original  survey. 

liicli, 

In  .lune,  1S4I,  ho  reached  Prairie  du 

Myrrick,  in   1S4;J,  returned  to  West- 

y  thi) 

t'hien.  and  was  <'mploved   as  clerk  in 

port,   atid   married   Jliss    Rebecca  E. 

roop-i 

the  post-otlici!  l)y  B.  W.  lirishois,  where 

Ismon.    Proceeding  to  the  city  of  Xew 

Uhof 

In'  remaineil  until  the  Novemher  fol- 

York, he  purchased  a  large  stock  of 

.     In 

lowing. 

goods,  and  in  the  fall  returned  to  La 

do  at 

Conceivins;  that  a  fortune  wa«   not 

Crosse. 

1(1  in 

to  he  made  in    the  jiosition  of  clerk. 

Mrs.   Myrrick  was  the  first  woman 

IMII'iO 

and   aefin;;  upon    the   |)roposition    of 

who  grace'd  the  embryo  city,  and  tho 

luain- 

'•nolhins;  v.mtiu'ed.  nothing  had,"  he 

family  the  only  cnie  resident   for  about 

irious 

piipihased  an   "initlit  "   of  jjoods   for 
Irjdian   trading.     Sci'iiring  a  hoat   of 

a  year.      The   first   interment   was   a 

nioii^! 

child  of  theirs,  who  died  in  184.'>. 

Coun- 

nhout  forty   tons   burden,  and   assist- 

Myrrick's   business    energies  could 

.,1    all 

ants  to  act  as  interpreters  and  luhor- 

not  be  confined  to  "  Indian  tradiii'^." 

■  Wis- 

ers.  on  the  7th  of  November  he  started 

IIiM'arly  engaged  in  lumbering  on  the 

U,  llm 

up  the  Mississippi,  using  poles  as  the 

IJI.ick  liiver.  luiilt  a  saw-mill,  and,  in 

'liii'ii; 

inotive-power. 

1S44.  run  a  raft  of  lumber  to  St.  Louis, 

..(1  liy 

On   arriving  at  La  Crosse,   he  was 

the  first  sent  to  that  market  from  lia 

•  when 

Struck   with   its    peculiar  adaptability 

Crosse. 

I'ort 

as  a  "town-site,"  and  determined  t<i 

In  1S4:;,  and  spring  of  ]S44.  quite  a 

locate.    There   being  no  timber  suit- 

number    of     .Mormons     were     scuttled 

i-toi-i- 

able    for    building     purposes    oi;    the 

alon'.;  the  Ulack  Kiver.  engaged  in  the 

Loi'l<- 

prairie,   and   ikjI    having   a  team,    he 
built  his  first  house,  a  "double  cabin," 

manufai'lureof  lumber  for  tlie  Nauvoo 

•oUimo 

market.  Ii'avin;;  in   the  spring  of  the 

!(>      <Ml 

on   the  island   ojiposile,  ami  prepared 

latter  year.     In   the  fall  of   tlie  same 

I'iscon- 

for  business. 

year  (IS  141,  between    three   and   four 

I'UlS  of 

The  agency  of  the  Winneliago  liuli- 

hundreil   returned  to  La  Crosse,  and 

•  forty 

ans  w.as  at  •'Turkey  liiver,"  in  Iowa. 

settled  in  what  is  now  known  as    the 

0,  nav- 

Although  the  Indians  had  ceded  their 

"  Moruion  Cooley."    Mr.  Myrrick  gave 

(\   lead 

lands  east  of  the  .Mississippi,  yet  they 

employment  to  most  of  tiiem  in   the 

0  iiiiv- 

retained  a  finnsi  claim,  and  were  jeal- 

pinery  on    the    lilack    liiver.  cnlling 

'   from 

ous  of  white  men  settling  so  far  north 

steainboai-wocjil.  Are,     They  remained 

11  stat- 

of Prairie  du  Chicn. 

until  the  spring  of  l!<4.'>,  wlien  most  of 

in. in  of 

About  two  weeks  after  the  "double 

tlieni  returnecl  to  Nauvoo  in  Uathuats, 

a  Ion.? 

cabin"    was  completed,   the   Indians, 

wliieh  thi'v  linilt. 

I  slioi,'k 

who    had    been    to   Turkey   Hiver   to 

During  the  year  I'm.  two  or  three 

in  tUfi 

receive  their  annuities,  reiioned;  and 

sti'amboats   ascended    the    Mississippi 

lo  died 

about  one  humlred  iind  fifty  -licainpeil 

with   sup]ilies  for   Port   Snelling    an<l 

on   the   island,   near   the  store.     The 

the  lumb<!rm(m  on  the  St.  Croix,     lu 

74d 


n  I  STORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


1S42  the  Uttio  stnamer  "Knck  TJivcr" 
was  niii  Ironi  (Jalciia  to  Fort,  Siiolliiic;, 
luakiii;:  a  li'ip  i>\\v.f.  in  two  weeks. 

Ill  lS4-t  Si'i-ibe  Uan-is  put  "  The 
Otter "  in  tin;  trailo,  run  Ikt  fof  a 
yoar  or  two,  wlioii  sliu  was  siiiicrsedod 
by  otlipr  l)oats. 

A  po,st-oflic<!  was  ostahlislicd  at  LiV 
Crosso  in  1S44:  anil  Xatliaii  Myriick 
rec(?ivoil  tlic  apiiointMii'iit  nf  post-mus- 
ter, anil  resi,'neil  in  1S4(>.  lie  was  sue- 
ceoded  liy  K.  A.  C  Hatcli,  avIio  had 
come  out  to  La  Crosse  from  We^tporl 
early  in  184:!. 

The  first  election  held  was  in  1S44. 
for  cminty  eonnnissioners.  'I'he  whole 
country  t'roiu  I'rairieilii  Cliii'n  to  the 
St.  Croix  was  inelud.'d  in  the  county. 
Kathan  .Mvrriek  and  II.  li.  Dotisem.-ui, 
of  Prairi(!  dn  Clii<'n,  were  elected. 

In  1S47  oeeiirred  theheavie-t  freshet 
ever  known  before  or  since  aion','  the 
IJlack  liiver.  Nearly  all  the  mill-dams, 
l)ioms,  *c.,  were  destroyed.  Millions 
of  feet  of  logs,  timber,  maiuifactured 
lumber,  (Sre.,  wmv,  swejit  away:  Jlr. 
Jtyrriok  losing  upwards  of  twenty-tive 
thousauil  dollars. 

In  .laiiuary,  1>4S,  be  purchased  of 
the  Uniteil  States  the  town-sit(!  of  La 
Cros.se:  and  in  the  spring  ol  the  same 
year  ho  settled  up  his  Imsiness,  and 
moved  to  St.  Paul,  which  ha-  been  his 
residence  since,  to  this  time  (Us7">). 

Idleness  is  not  in  conson;uice  with 
Ills  early  traiinni;;  aiul  we  fiiul  him 
Ftill  en.ia.£!(Ml  in  Imsiness  on  the  fron- 
tier,—  still  inishini;  west.  Since  leav- 
ing La  Crosse,  he  has  bad  bis  trading- 
posts  ;\t  Watab.  Long  Prairie.  Traverse 
tie  Sioux,  La  .Siienr,  Pembina.  Ac. 

In  person,  Xathan  Jlyrriik  biOongs 
—  as  did  his  father  and  grandfalher 
hefor(!  him  —  to  lh(!  "sons  of  Anak," 
bein'.r  six  feet  four  inches  in  hi' 
KtoeUings.  Genial  in  his  maiwiers. 
brimfni  of  kindness  and  hosjiitalitv, 
generous  to  a  fault,  often  and  again 
lias  he  been  the  vii'tim  of  misiilaeed 
confidence,  as  bi- will  continue  to  be: 
so  long'as  the  "  leopard  cannot  chauirc 
Ills  spots,"  so  N'atban  Myrrick  cannot 
change  his  nature. 

Ill  all  the  vicissitudes  of  his  varied 
and  very  extensive  business,  the  writ- 
er, who  has  known  him  for  nearly 
thirty  years,  has  yet  to  learn  of  one, 
with'  whom  lu^  has  liad  d-alings.  to 
deny  him  the  t  itle  of  "  honest  man." 

Cor..  l)AMi:r,  51.  l'.\i:i;i.\so.v.  — 
Daniel  M.  Parkinson  w.as  born  'n  Car- 
fir  Coiintv,  La-t  Tennessee,  Aug.  1, 
17'.i:i,  whefo  he  resideil  until  ISIS, 
wlieu  liu  removed  to  M;iUisoii  County, 


Illinois,  and  settled  at  a  point  twenty 
mile  east  of  St  Louis,  llemaining  in 
that  jilace  two  years,  he  removeil  to 
Sangamon  Counly,  and  settled  on 
liock  Prairie,  fmir  miles  east  of 
Springfield.  IIi>re  be  remained  until 
the  H|>ring  of  1827,  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, when  be  removed  to  the  lead- 
region  of  Wisconsin;  and  soon  after 
settled  at  Mineral  P<uiit,  wliere  ho 
became  the  third  hou-.ebolder.  In  1S:3:! 
he  entered  a  (piarter  section  of  lanil 
five  miles  .south-east  of  Mineral  Point, 
where  he  suhseriiiently  erected  the 
residence  in  which  he  died.  Mr. 
Parkinson  took  an  active  part  in  the 
Winnebago  and  lilaek  Hawk  wars. 
Ife  was  a  nuMiiber  of  the  legislative 
assembly,  ls;:!(;-:;S,  lslO-1,  the  first  of 
which  w,is  the  first  Terrilori.il  legisla- 
ture, which  convened  at  Uelmont. 
Mr.  Parkinson's  ilistrict  consisted  of 
wluit  is  now  Iowa,  Lafayetlc.  liich- 
land,  and  (Irant  Counlies,  anil  is  at 
jirescnt  represented  by  ten  members. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  first  Consti- 
tutional Convention,  and  in  1S40  was 
a  member  of  the  first  State  legislature. 
He  diiHl  at  his  residence  in  Lafayette 
County,  Oct.  1.  IStiS,  in  the  seventy- 
ninth  ye.ir  of  bis  ,age.  His  portrait  is 
in  the  library  of  the  State  Historical 
Society. 

Hox.  SiMEOx  Mills.  —  He  was  born 
in  Xorfiilk,  Litchfield  Countv,  Conn., 
I'eb.  14,  ISIO.  In  ISll  bis  f.atliermovcd 
to  Aslitabula  County,  and  was  one  of 
the  pioneer  settlers  in  the  dense  forests 
of  Xerlhern  Ohio,  where  the  subject 
of  this  skelcb  was  bron'_'bt  up  at  the 
labfirious  work  of  farming  in  a  new 
country,  acc]uiring,  at  the  same  time, 
a  good  commiiii-scbool  eiliication. 

At  the  age  of  twent  ,'  hi,'  procured  a 
sitiiati:m  as  clerk  in  a  enuntry  store. 
and  thereafter  was  enga'Jied  in  mercan- 
tile pursuits,  at  different  times,  for 
several  years. 

In  t\w.  summer  of  IS;).")  be  cr.ino 
West,  to  Iliini'is  and  Wisconsin,  spend- 
ing the  latter  part  of  1S;J;!  at  Mineral 
Point;  and,  upon  the  l.n'ation  of  the 
seat  of  giivernment  of  the  Teri-itory  at 
the  Four  L,il;es.  determined  to  make 
that  bis  future  home. 

Om  tlie  lOlh  of  dune,  IS.'H.  ho  located 
at  Madison,  then  a  city  of  a  single 
house;  proceeded  at  once  to  the  erec- 
tion of  a  small  building  of  hewed  lo'_'s, 
sixteen  by  eighteen  feet  on  the  gnuind, 
anil,  as  soon  as  practiealile,  ponhased  a 
small  stock  of  menhaiidise  at  f;alei-.a, 
and  oiiencd  the  III  st  store  at  the  capital 
of  Wiscunsin. 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


741 


At  that  time  the  white  population 
of  Dane  County  (li<l  not  cxi.'oed  three 
families;  and  tlioie  was  no  mail  or 
mail  rout(!  between  Madison  and  >[il- 
waukee;  but,  in  the  summei'  of  1,S!7, 
Ml'.  Mills  made  a  contract  with  the 
United  States  for  carrying  the  mail 
bet\ve<Mi  those  points  until  July,  1812. 

On  the  liith  of  Au','U-^t,  18:!7,  Mr. 
Mills  was  appointed  l)y  (iov.  Dodge 
the  lirst  justice  of  the  peace  in  U.uw 
County,  and  iirol)al)ly  at  that  timi'  the 
only  one  between  Uodgeville  and  Mil- 
waukee. 

In  the  spring  of  1S"S  Mr.  Mills  re- 
moved his  f.unily  from  Ohio  to  >radi- 
son,  wliero  they  have  since  resided, 
and  are  at  this  time,  with  a  single  ex- 
ception, the  oldest  residents  oif  Dane 
County. 

In  1839  Dane  County  v.;s  org.ini:'eil 
for  county  and  ju<lieial  ;iurposes;  aud 
he  was  eiectitd  one  of  I  Me  county  <'oni 
inissiimers,  and  appoiiled  clerk  of  the 
United  .States  district  court;  which 
latler  oflice  he  lich'  for  about  nine 
years.  He  heh^  the  diice  of  territorial 
treasurer  when  'lie  Slate  government 
was  organized;  i. ml  was  elected  the 
first  senator  of  i)ano  County,  and 
afterwards  renomin  ited,  but  declined 
to  become  a  eandidati  for  re-election. 

In  1848  he  was  ai)|,ninted  on  the 
first  board  of  regents  of  Oie  University 
of  Wisconsin,  and  took  au  active  part 
in  the  organization  an<l  commencement 
of  that  iiistilulion,  by  purciiasing  its 
site,  and  snperinlending  Ibe  erection 
of  its  first  buildings.  In  ISOO,  he  was 
appointed  one  of  the  trustees  of  the 
Wisconsin  State  Hospital  for  the  In- 
sani ,  and  has  been  an  active  member 
of  I'vj'  board  to  the  present  lini",  taking 
a  dci-|.  i  1  ,r'st  in  the,  erecliun  (if  its 
builiiug  and  the  gene-al  niaiiagc- 
nient  of  atlairs  in  and  about  the  insli- 
tutioK. 

llo  has  been  ideiitided  willi  public 
'•"..■,  f  ivei'"  ,  and  contribiilcd  larg(!ly 
"■■  '..,.•  nil       .,T<nvth  ,ind  prosperity  of 

adlson.  Iiu'csting  all  bis  gains  hi  real 
v'stai.e,  and  the  ("cction  of  buildings 
tliciv  111,  and  making  their  caie  the 
business  of  his  I  if". 

Ills  I.-.iwle(!go  is  practical,  and  his 
habits  iiiiisirious  and  economical. 
Ho  h.as  aided  in  bi.ilding  schools,  col- 
leges, and  churches,  and  in  dcvidoping 
the  resources  i/f  a  new  country;  li.is 
ciieouraged  his  fellow-men,  by  jireccpt 
and  (Example,  to  attain  a  higher  civiliza- 
tion. 

IIox.  Jamks  Campiikt.l.  —  lie  was 
born   iu  Sus<iueliaiiiia  County,  renii- 


sylvania,  Feb.  If),  1S14.  His  parents 
wen^  blessed  with  a  large  family,  wliilo 
the  supply  of  worldly  goods  w'as  not 
abnndant;  but  the  children  wore  given 
wliat,  at  that  time,  was  deemed  a  good 
common-school  education:  they  wero 
also  tauglit  the  all-important  lesson  of 
self-reliance. 

In  180.5  James,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  at  the  ,age  of  twenty-one, 
started  out  for  himself,  and  came  to 
Wisconsin.  The  next  season  he  rented 
a  farm  in  Green  ("ounty,  and  com- 
mcnccMl  operations  as  a  farmer.  In 
IS-tl  he  moved  on  to  his  own  farm  in 
llie  town  of  Albany,  in  that  county, 
and  was  tlie  lirst  settler  in  tliat  town. 
III!  was  a  successful  tiller  of  the  sol!. 
In  18"i(»  he  ojiened  the  first  store  iu 
till!  villagi!  of  Albany,  located  one  mile 
iiortii  of  his  farm.  Largely  through 
the  inlhience  of  Jlr.  Cainpb(!ll,  tlio 
Sugar  Itiver  Vailey  Hailroad  Company 
had  been  chartered,  wliicli  proviilcd 
.''or  th(!  construction  of  a  railroad  from 
l'ieStat(!  line  riaUrodhead  and  Albany, 
to  Madison. 

In  bStil  Mr.  Campbell  was  a  mein- 
be-  of  the  assembly  from  the  county 
of  v^reeii.  and  succeeded  in  getting  tlie 
charter  of  the  Sugar  Kiver  Valley  Itoad 
amended,  so  as  to  extend  the  line  from 
Madison  to  Portage;  and  that  portion 
of  the  congressional  land-grant  of 
lS,-)(),  which  was  given  to  aid  in  e^'U- 
slructing  a  railroad  between  these  two 
cities,  was  given  by  the  legislature  to 
tills  company.  Mr.  Campbell  took  a 
dee|i  int(!rest  in  the  construction  of 
tliis  road,  and  in  IS()2  reliiKiuished 
his  mercantile  pursuits,  and  devoted 
his  wlii'le  attention  to  it.  For  a  time 
the  work  progressed  in  a  satisfactory 
manner;  but  in  1811:!.  tl.'rough  con- 
llicting  interests  in  tlie  managem 'lit, 
the  Sugar  Kivi'r  Valley  Itailroad  Com- 
liany  became  involved  in  debt;  and  all 
work  upon  it  was  su-pendeil,  greatly  to 
the  injury  of  Mr.  Campbell,  who  was 
a  coiitr;iclor  for  the  building  of  the 
road.  The  property  of  this  company 
was  snM  (111  an  exeention;  and  Mr. 
Canipbi'll  becaiiK!  t'le  purchaser. 

In  ]87i),  the  Sugar  Kiver  Valley  Com- 
paiiv  having  forfeited  ail  claim  to  the 
land  grant,  Mr.  Campbell  procured 
from  till!  legisl.ilure  the  charter  of  the 
Madison  and  I'ortage  Kailroad  Com- 
pany, and  a  transfer  of  the  land-grant 
to  it.  He  then  bent  his  whole  energies 
to  the  construction  of  this  road;  ami,  in 
less  than  one  year  from  llu!  passage  of 
the  cliarlcr,  the  road  was  cmnpleted 
between    the    cities    of    Madison  and 


742 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


Portage,  beiiis  a  distance  of  about 
forty  miles.  This  work  was  mot  by 
many  and  siM-ioiis  obstacles;  but  Mr. 
Campbell  knew  no  such  word  as  "  fail," 
and,  by  the  most  persevering  eilorts, 
overcame  them  all.  Under  tlu;  circum- 
stances, it  was  a  Kreat  aecomplisliment, 
and  fjavc  Mr.  Campbell  a  high  repu- 
tation as  a  railroad  man.  lie  still  re- 
mains tlin  president  of  tlie  comi)any, 
and  has  been  engaged  for  the  last  three 
years  in  .in  ctfort  to  extend  this  road 
North  and  South,  so  as  to  connect  the 
immense  lumber-regions  of  Wisconsin 
with  the  extensive  coal-mines  of  Il- 
linois, lie  has  made  two  or  three 
visits  to  Europe  in  this  interest,  in  the 
hoije  to  raise  money  for  the  com|)letion 
of  this  enterprise,  and,  no  doubt, 
would  liave  been  successful  in  his  en- 
deavors, but  for  the  general  depn^ssion 
in  railroad  securities.  lie  still  liopes 
to  accomplish  this  noble  work  at  no 
distant  day ;  and  those  who  know  Mr. 
Campbell  best  have  but  little  doubt 
of  his  ultimate  success.  lie  does  not 
willingly  give  \\\i  a  favorite  project. 

As  a  citizen,  Mr.  Campbell  is  uni- 
versally respected  for  bis  sterling  in- 
tegrity of  character,  and  for  Ills  broad 
and  liberal  views  on  all  iiuestions  of 
a  public  interest.  He  is  true  to  his 
friends,  and  generous  towards  all  who 
prove  themselves  worthy  of  his  cou- 
fldeuce. 

As  a  business-man,  he  is  clear  in  his 
perceptions,  sound  in  judgment,  and 
decisive  in  action;  and,  while  modest 
aiul  unassuming  in  bis  bearing,  he  is 
characterized  by  strong  indiviilualily 
of  character,  i)ositivene>s  of  opinion, 
and  tenacity  of  ]>urpose,  that  cause 
him  to  succeed  where  luost  men  would 
fail.  Mr.  Campbell  is  at  present  a  resi- 
dent of  Madison. 

Hox.  l{r,NjAMrx  Fuanki.in  Hop 
KINS.  —  lie  was  bom  in  llebnui, 
■Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  April  2l', 
I-2t).  Mis  early  life  was  ^ipent  on  a 
farm.  He  rei-eived  such  an  education 
as  was  allordeil  by  the  selmols  of  his 
own  town,  and  was  deemed  a  good 
•cademie  scholar.  Farming  was  not 
to  Ills  liking.  lie  craved  the  lunie 
(■Innulaling  pursuits  of  the  business- 
world.  Kor  a  "line  In-  was  cleiU  in  a 
eounlr>  (ore,  and  showed  more  apti 
tude  to;  this  posiiii'iv  ihan  for  farming;. 
He  next  obtained  a  situation  in  i  tele- 
graph-olfice,  and  soon  bei  am<!  an  ac- 
complisheil  "jierator.  .\t  the  age  of 
twenty,  having  rt\»d  of  ilu!  great  and 
grow'ui;  \V'«I,  he  concluded  to  come 
to  W>M,'v«>!>«u ;   and  in   October,  184t>, 


he  arrived  in  Fond  du  Lac.  In  No- 
vember of  the  same  year  he  came  to 
JIailison,  which  was  ever  afterwards 
bis  houie.  As  a  resident  of  that  city, 
Mr.  Hopkins  was  ever  foremost  in  pro- 
moting its  best ,  interest.  He  com- 
menced Ids  career  in  Wisconsin  as  an 
ojjcrator  in  a  telegraph-office.  After 
accumulating  a  small  amount  of 
moiu-y,  he  invested  it  in  lots  in  Madi- 
son. Continuing  to  buy  and  sell  again, 
at  an  advanced  price,  he  was  soon  in 
inde])endent  circumstances.  Ho  was 
active  in  organizing  the  Madison  Mu- 
tual Insurance  Company.  In  1851  he 
drew  up  the  charter  of  the  institution, 
ami  procured  its  passage  through  the 
legislature,  and  was  made  its  first 
secretary.  He  as  a  director  and 
member  of  the  'cutive  commitleo 
of  the  company  i..)m  the  day  i/f  its 
organization  to  the  day  of  his  death,  a 
period  of  nineti'en  years. 

In  18J5  Mr.  Hopkins  took  an  active 
interest  in  the  incorporation  of  tlio 
Madison  Uas  Company.  He  ])rocured 
the  passage  of  its  charter,  and  a  com- 
pany was  organized;  but  the  works  did 
not  prosper  satisfactorily  to  most  of 
the  directors,  ami,  at  the  end  of  the 
year,  Mr.  Hopkins  leased  the  works 
for  five  years.  At  the  end  of  this 
term  he  had  beqome  owner  of  most 
of  the  stock,  which,  through  his  skill 
in  the  management  of  tin;  atfairs,  had 
been  made  to  pay  a  good  income.  Mr. 
Hopkins  eontinued  to  bold  a  large 
niajoiilv  of  the  stock  ii\  the  gas  com- 
pany until  hisdi;ath;  wbieli  amounted 
to  a  small  fortune  in  itself. 

Mr.  Hopkins  tonk  an  eArly,  active, 
anil  leading  part  in  establisliing  the 
Soldiers'  Orphans'  Home,  fraught 
with  siu'h  uiUold  bli'ssings  to  ilia 
orphan-children  of  Wi>c(nisin  soldiers. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  board  of 
trustees,  from  the  commencenK^nt,  so 
long  as  he  livcnl. 

Mr.  Hopkins  was  a  ]ii>litician  in  tho 
best   sense  ot  that  word.     In  early  life 

I  be  belonged  to  the  great  Whig  party. 

I  On  the  oiganization  of  the  Uepublicau 

I  party.   In'   became   Ideiitilied   with   it, 

I  and,  during  the  b.danie  of  his  lil'e.  was 
i>ne  "f  its  leadiiK  members.     H>'  w.w 

'  private  »ecrelary  to  (Jov.  Ua>  ilord 
during  the  years  1S.")(')  and  \<u.  In 
the  fall  of  18(il  be  wa-  ele<'ted  to  the 

I  Slate  senate.  In  ISO  i  he  was  eleiled 
to  the   assembly  ot  Wisconsin       This 

I  was  not  Ills  highest  ;unl>ir  u.  Ho 
was  deitirous  id'  obliiiuing  ,t  seat  in 
Congress;  ami  his  llrnl  ttilumpt  in  this 
direct  ion  was  in  ISti-. 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


748 


In  1860  )iis  name  was  again  before 
the  convention  for  nomination,  in 
wliicli  he  proved  tlie  successful  can- 
diilalo.  He  was  elected  at  the  next 
fall  election,  by  a  larijo  nniiority,  and 
became  member  of  the  Fortieth  C'oii- 
cress,  from  the  second  district  of 
Wisconsin.  Mr.  Hopkins  was  re- 
nominated in  18()8,  without  opposi- 
tion. 

At  the  close  of  the  first  session  of 
the  Forty-fir.st  Congress,  in  the  spring 
of  18(i!>,  Mr.  Hoplvins  returned  to  lii.s 
home  in  Wisconsin,  with  health  nnu'n 
impaired.  He  made  a  trip  to  San 
Francisco,  and  visited  many  points  in 
C'aiiforniiv,  but  returned  with  his 
healtii  but  little  im])roved.  At  tlie 
assembling  of  Congress,  in  December, 
he  was  unable  to  resume  his  seat,  and 
never  after  left  his  home  in  Madison. 
He  died  on  New  Year's  Day,  1870.  It 
can  appropriately  be  said  of  liim,  — 

**  Ills  life  was  gtintle;  and  tlie  elmneiita 

8o  mixed  in  liiin.  tliut  Nature  ini^ltt  Htand  up, 

And  say  to  aii  tbu  world,  Tftiti  tens  a  uum.^^ 

J.  S.  Douglass,  A.M.,  M.D.,  I'li.  D. 
—  He  was  born  in  Wesunoreland, 
Oneida  County,  N.V.,  .July  4,  1801. 
His  father  was  a  pioneer  farmer  of  that 
coiuity.  His  academic  studies  were 
pursued  in  the  academy  at  Whitesl)or- 
oiigh,  N.Y.  During  all  his  younger 
years,  his  liealth  was  very  feeble,  and 
on  this  account  ho  was  prevented  from 
enleriug  college.  He,  liowever,  com- 
pleted a  collegiate  course  without  en- 
tering the  eollegi!  walls.  But,  as  a 
partial  compensation,  the  Madi-on  Uni- 
versity of  Ni'W  Yorlv,  in  consideration 
of  thorough  profii'leney,  confeired  upon 
him  the  honorary  degrees  of  ;>'aster  of 
Arts,  and,  iu  1870,  the  addilioiia'  '.egree 
of  Ph.D. 

He  pursued  his  medical  stud  es  in 
Palmyra,  under  I)i>.  Mi  Intyre  and 
Pecliham,  and  wiili  Di~.  ."Sayles  and 
Stevens  of  Vernon,  aii>l  looli  bis  di- 
ploma at  the  Fairneld  Medical  ('ollege, 
Sew  York,  in  l^-0.  He  remove<l  to 
Milwaukee  in  IMS,  having  three  years 
previously  adopted  the  hnuueopathic 
doctrine  of  therapeutics,  at  that  date 
little  known  in  that  n'gion. 

He  has  given  to  the  piiblii'  several 
valuable  works.  In  18.J-")  he  pul)lished 
a  work  on  Intermittent  Fever,  which 
was  th(  It  very  prevalent  in  the  West. 
A  few  years  lat(!r,  he  i)ublislie<l  a  more 
ginierally  useful  work,  entitled  "  Pr;ieti- 
eal  HoMKeopalhy,''  d.'sigiu'd  for  the  use 
of  families.  He  has  also  been  a  large 
contributor  to  the  principal  homu.>o- 


pathic  journals  of  the  country.  In 
IS.'jO  ho  accepted  a  professorship  of 
Materia  Med'ca  and  .Special  Pathology 
and  Diagnosis  in  the  Hoin(ec/pathic 
Medical  (^'oUege  of  Cleveland,  which  ho 
heUl  for  three  years.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  American  Institute  of 
Homu'opiithy  since  1847,  once  its  presi- 
dent, and  once  its  annual  orator. 

He  is  now  near  s<'venty-four  years  of 
age,  in  excellent  health,  and  performing 
all  the  duties  of  an  extensive  practice, 
with  an  activity  and  energy  seldom  sur- 
passed by  young  men. 

For  half  a  century  he  has  been  ear- 
nestly and  conscientiously  devoted  to 
his  profession,  —  twenty  years  an  allo- 
path, and  thirty  a  homir'opath.  His 
lectures  and  writings,  incisive,  and  full 
of  common  sense,  give  evidence  of  vast 
philosophy  and  experience.  He  pos- 
sesses, as  he  deserves,  the  love  and 
reverence  of  his  many  friends  and 
patrons.  His  place  will  not  be  soon  or 
easily  filled  when  he  shall  be  removed, 
as  in  the  natural  course  of  events  he 
must  be  before  many  years. 

Ho.\.  Hon.vno  XiJi.soN  Davis.  — 
He  was  born  in  thetownof  Henderson, 
JelTerson  County,  X.Y.,  June  17,  1S12; 
received  an  academic  education.  Was 
married,  August,  18)J7,  to  Clarissa  Fa- 
nelto  (^'ushman,  and  removed  to  Wis- 
consin in  August,  lrf;i8,  first  settling 
at  Waukesha,  in  this  State,  where  he 
resided  twenly-six  years,  engaged  prin- 
cipally in  the  pursuits  of  agriculture. 
Was  elected  chairman  of  the  board 
of  supervisors  of  Waukesha  six  suc- 
cessive years,  and  was  twice  elected 
chairman  of  the  county  board.  Was 
elect<'d  county  treasurer  of  Waukesha 
Cdinity  in  1847,  and  held  the  office  by 
subse(|ueut  eleclions  for  six  years. 
Was  commissioned  by  Pres.  Lincoln, 
.March,  1802,  cai>tain  i.nd  commissary 
of  subsistence,  iiiiil  was  raised  to  tho 
rank  of  major  liy  hrevet  in  18(14.  Left 
the  seivice  at  the  termination  of  the 
war,  ,od  settled  at  Ueloit,  Wis.,  where 
he  now  resides.  Was  elected  jiresident 
of  the  Iteloit  Xational  liauk  in  !8(i.5, 
and  held  that  position  by  subseciuent 
elections  for  eiglit  years.  Was  elected 
mayor  of  the  city  <if  Beloit  in  1872, 
without  opposition,  and  wai  again 
elected  in  187;J.  Was  elected  to  tho 
State  senate  from  the  county  of  Ilock 
in  1872,  n^ceiving  a  majority  of  .{,520 
votes.  Was  again  elected  to  the  State 
senate  in  November,  1874,  Was  again 
elected  mayor  of  the  city  of  Beloit, 
.Vpril,  187."),  witliont  (ppposilion.  Mr. 
uiul  Mrs,  Davis  buvu  had  burn  to  them 


74 -t 


IIISTOnr  OF   WJSCONSIN. 


eislif  cliilili'on.  fivo  of  whom  niv  liviii'r; 
viz..  V.  K.  D:ivi^  of  S:iiii;  raiil.  V.  .\. 
Diivi-i  of  tlio  rily  of  Hc'loil.  Mr-^.  Davit's 
of  DiWM^iiport,  ill..  .Mrs,  Wa-lilnirri  of 
tlio  cily  of  IJi-loil,  ami  .Mi-s  Ciitlio  K. 
Davis,  now  living;  willi  licr  i);\r(:iits, 

IIo.v.  .1,  D.  DoTV.  —  .lames  Diialic 
Doty  was  a  nalivi'  of  hialcm,  Wasliiim- 
ton  ("ouiily,  \,Y,,  wlii'i-c  lie  was  lioiii 
in  nil',).  111  llu.'  year  l.siS  Ik^  solfli'il 
at  Detroit,  .Miih, ;  and,  a  yoini;.;  lawyor 
of  f;oo(l  reimte,  lie  was  the  next  year 
ailmliled  to  tlii^  Supi'enn'  Coiii't  of  that 
Territory,  and  was  the  same  year  pro- 
moled  rapidly  to  plaei.'s  of  imlilii;  trn^l, 
bein;;  appointed  secretary  of  the  leiris- 
hitive  eoiineil,.  anil  elerli  of  the  court. 

Gov,  Cass,  in  I'^^O,  made  his  famous 
tour  of  the  Great  Lakes,  and  I  lie  Mis- 
sissippi to  its  .sonrci's,  travelling  a  di-- 
taiu'o  of  four  thousand  miles  with  his 
party,  in  fivo  hark  ranoes,  .Mr,  Doty 
vs'as  selected  hy  the  governor  to  coin- 
m.'ind  oiu;  of  the  hireh  ilolilla;  ('.(". 
Tn)wl)riil;;e  aiul  .John  II.  Kin/.ie  each 
liavin.iT  cliarse  of  another.  The  trip 
from  Del  roil  to  Jlackinaw  and  the 
Sault  .Ste.MariecousuTued  nearlv  ninety 
days,  and  was  one  of  ijreat  diliicnlty 
and  peril.  It  was  on  this  occasion  that 
Gov,  ('ass,  supported  by  his  assistants 
and  eanoo-men.  in  the  presence  of  llie 
nsseiiililed  difjnilaries  of  the  fierce 
Chippinvas,  atid  in  defiance  of  their 
menaces,  pulled  down  the  IJrilish  lla','. 
which  ihnsi^  Indians  had  displayed  (ui 
the  .Vnicrican  side  of  the  straits  on  his 
arrival,  and  hoisted  the  stirs  and 
stripes  in  its  place.  Mr.  Doty  v.a; 
present,  and  .liiled  with  his  ,>wn  hands 
in  displaying;  the  Aiuerican  fla'.;.  The 
party  left  Detroit  early  in  May,  trav- 
ersed the  lakes,  and  reached  the  sour- 
ces of  llie  Mississippi,  held  conferences 
with  various  Indian  tribes,  and  re- 
turned the  last  of  Xovember.  Mr. 
Doty,  besides  havinq;  charf;e  uf  one  of 
tlie  canoes,  acted  as  secretary  of  the 
cx]iedili  111. 

In  the  winter  of  1Sl"2-2:5  Consress 
passed  ail  ".Vet  to  jirovide  for  the  Ap- 
pointment of  an  .\dililioiial  .Tiidj;e  for 
the  Miclii'j:an  Territory,''  and  to  ctab- 
lish  courts  in  the  counties  of  .Michili- 
mackiiiac.  Drown,  and  Crawford:  the 
two  latter  counties  endiraciui:  all  lli.it 
is  now  Wiscon-in,  Iowa,  .Minnesota, 
and  Dakota,  l''roiu  the  nnnierous  a))- 
plicants  fur  the  place,  rres.  Monroe 
selected  .lam(!s  D.  Doty  of  Detroit  for 
the  new  jiiiltre. 

Desceniliii!;  the  lake  from  Green  fJav 
t..>  Now  York,  ill  May,  ISi'i.  the  writer 
found  him   in  Detroit,  already  on  tlic 


w.ay  to  Ills  new  circuit,  accompanied 
by  his  wife,  whom  lie  had  just  married, 
tilt' eldest  diumlitcr  of  (Jen.  (,'ollins,  of 
.New  llarlford.  Oneida  County,  N,Y. 

,Iuil'.;ii  Doty  lost  no  lime  in  entering 
on  his  duties  as  jud,;;e,  — la\v,i;iver  to  a, 
country  suflirienl  In  extent  for  an  em- 
pire. il<^  repaired  forthwith  to  I'rairio 
dii  Cliieii,  ori:aiii/ed  the  judiciary  of 
Cr.iwford  Ciuinty,  ami  opened  court. 
It  was  no  easy  task  to  ini'U'.;urato  .jus- 
tice in  these  wilds,  to  criiato  sherill's, 
clerks,  and  jurors  out  of  half-breed 
liiilian  traders,  rni/airuri,  and  cuKrricrH 
(III  lifila ;  but  the  tact,  talent,  and  per- 
severance of  the  youii'.i  jud;;e|)revailed. 
.ludgeDotyliad  thoui(ht  to  make  Praiiio 
llu  Cliicii  his  n'stiiiii-place,  his  liomo, 
but  finally  determined  on  a  iiermaiient 
residence  atGreen  IJay,  where  be  iiiado 
his  home  for  twenty  years. 

The  jud!;(?  proceeded  to  orRanizo 
courts  in  .Michilimackinac  and  Drown 
Counties,  wIkm'c  he  found  the  inhabit- 
anls  fienei'ally  disposed  to  render  every 
as-istance  in  brinjjiiii;  a  wild  country 
subject  to  law  and  order.  Tlie  terms 
were  held  with  lierfect  reiiularity 
Ihroii^hout  the  whole  district.  He  con- 
tinued (o  discharu'c  his  onerous  duties 
f.ir  nine  years,  and  until  superseiled  by 
.luilu'e  Irwin  in  ]K:!2.  lic'lieved  from 
the  cares  and  responsibilities  of  the 
judne-bip  and  courts,  he  inimediati.dy 
coinmenced,  on  his  own  resources,  a 
pers'inal examination,  by  repealed  lours 
of  the  country  that  now  conslitutes 
Wisconsin  and  Xorlliern  Illinois.  It 
v.'as  llu'ii  inhabited  and  possessed  by 
the  abori'.;iiios,  llovi^iteil  every  villaiji) 
of  note,  made  hiniseif  aci|iiain(eil  with, 
and  gained  the  !;ooil-will  of,  the  chiefs, 
and  coiilributeil  in  no  small  desxreo 
to  the  jiood  uiHlerstandini;  which  fol- 
lowed beiueen  the  government  and 
lhe~e  sav.ine  tribes. 

In  IfsiiO  Conjiress  made  .in  appropri- 
ation for  suiveyin^and  localinu  ainili- 
tary  road  from  (Jreen  Day  to  ('hicaf;o 
and  to  I'rairio  llu  Cliii-n.  .ludixe  Doly 
ami  f/ieiil.  t)eiiler  were  appoiiileil  com- 
missioneis.  and  sinveyed  and  located 
these  roads  duriiij;  lsi:!l  and  I.S:!2. 

.luilne  Duty's  [alenls  for  u~et'ulnes3 
were  now  conceded  and  ap|>recialei|  by 
all.  The  people  of  the  distiicl  of  .Mii:h- 
ivan,  west  of  tlie  laki'.  elected  hliii  to 
the  leL'i-lative  council  in  l.s!:;i,  in  which 
he  served  with  inarkcd  ability  for  two 
years,  II,  was  while  lift  was  a  niemoer, 
that  the  le-jislalive  council  of  tiiat 
Teriilory  beitan  to  a-jilale  the  i|uestioi\ 
of  a  stale  jiovernmciit :  which  he  wa.s 
fir.st  to   introduce,  ami   which   linaliy 


niSTORY  OF  W /SCONS IN. 


745 


provRiloil.  Rcturniii!;  from  tlio  \c'/>f- 
lalivc  cniiMi'il.  Ill'  liceiiiiio  an  activo 
operator  in  \\u'  inil)lic  land  sales,  wlilcli 
wore.  opiMieil  ul  Griieii  Hay  in  18:!-V:!l). 

'I'lie  I'aiiid  sellleinent  of  tlic  country 
bpyonil  tin;  firoat  I^alic^s  called  for  a  new 
Teri'llorial  (loverninent, — a  separation 
from  Jlield'jan.  (,'oimress  passed  I  lie 
aetcreatin!.'  llie  Territorial  (lovernment 
of  Wiscdiisin  In  ls:!(),  Hon.  Henry 
l)od,i,'(!  I'eceived  tlie  appoinlmenl  of 
(jovernor,  and  assemlilecl  llie  first  legis- 
lature, at  JJelniout.  One  of  tlu^  most 
important  imuters  brought  before  Ibat 
body,  and  to  be  s(>tlleci  by  It,  was  ilie 
loeallon  of  tbe  seat  of  ticjvi'rnmenl. 
Judse  Doty,  tliouvdi  remain int;  in  i)ri- 
vate  life,  Inid  not  been  idU.',  and  es- 
pecially was  not  nninleresieil  in  tbis 
matter  of  a  capital  for  Wisconsin. 
Tlierc  was  i^rcat  exeilement  over  tlu! 
matter  in  Ilie  le::i-lalm(>.  Wliile  otbers 
were  plannin'j.  .Miili;!^  Doty  was  (irlin;i. 
He  iipiieared  at  lielmont  as  a  loliby- 
member;  and  almost  l)efore  Ibo  .Solons 
knew  of  it,  liy  bis  supei'ior  tact,  liad 
brou'.dil  about  a  vote  (ixim;  tlio  scat  of 
government  at  Miidison,  tlu^  lieautifid 
place  wberc  it  now  is.  'I'lierc  was  a 
good  deal  <if  s])arrins  and  fault-finding 
with  Doty  and  bis  mana;;ement  at  tbe 
time;  but  all  ai,'re(!  now  that  it  wa'i 
tlien,  as  it  is  seen  to  be  since,  just  the 
ri.iibt  place  for  tbe  capital. 

Wisconsin,  as  an  or'.'anized  Territory, 
hiid  nowa  ilelcLialo  in  Cou'^ress.  .Indite 
Uotv  succeeded  Hon.  (icorno  W.  .Jones 
in  1*)S,  and  seived  till  1S41.  when  be 
was  appointed  ijovernor  of  Wisconsin 
by  I'res.  Tylei',  servimj  nearly  three 
years,  and  was  suci'ceded  by  (lov. 
Tallmadi;e.  )Vhile,i;ov(>rnor.  and  su|)er- 
intendentof  Indian  affairs,  lb<'  Indians 
in  Minni-'sota — Dakolas  or  .Sioux,  and 
Cliippewas — be.nan  lo  be  uneasy  and 
lroul)lesiime.  The  War  DeparinuMit 
inslitul<'d  a  connnission  for  conf(M'iMU'c 
with  Ibeiii.  Gov.  Doty,  on  account  of 
his  known  accpiaintance  v. 'tb  Indian 
cliaracter.  was  selecled  as  commis- 
sioner, and  made  two  bi.nbly  important 
treaties  wilh  tli(^  Nortb-westci-ii  Indian 
tribi^s,  which,  liowever,  were  not  ac- 
cepted by  the  senate. 

He  was  a  nn'inlier  of  tbe  first  Con- 
stllullonal  Convention  in  ISKl;  was 
clecleil  to  Congress  from  the  third  dls- 
triit  under  tbe  Sl.ato  oriraniz:i.tion  of 
!K48.  and  re-elect(Ml  in  ISol,  and  pro- 
cured, by  his  industry  and  induence, 
nniiorlant  leiiislation  for  the  State  and 
his  constiiui'ucy. 

In  IS.V!  lie  r(!lired  once  more  to 
"private  life,"  to  bo  recalled  by  Pros. 


I  Lincoln  in  ISOl,  first  .is  superintendent 
of  Indian  affairs,  and  siibseiiuenlly  as 
L'overnor  of  Utah;  boldint;  Ibis  last 
place  at  the  time  of  his  death,  June  13, 
18(j.-). 

(iov.  Doty'.s  last  residence   in  Wis- 
consin  was    at    Menasba,   on    Uoty'» 
Island, — one  of  the  many  villages  that 
have   sprung   up  inider  liis  iiilluence. 
He   bad  two  sons  and  one  daughter. 
j  The  eldest  son,  5Ia.jor  diaries  IJoly, 
I  late  a  coiuinissary  in  the  United  States 
I  army,  muslercd  out  in  April  last,  now 
i  resides  at  Menasba.     The  second  son, 
!  .James,  accomiianicd  Gov.  Stevens  on 
I  Ills  e.\|iloring  expedition  for  a  route  for 
'  railroad   from   the   Mississippi   to  the 
j  I'acilic  Ocean,  and  died  in  Wasliington 
TiM-ritory  some  years  since.    Mrs.  Sar.ah 
I  ('.  Doty,  the  governor's  wife,  accom- 
panied him  to  Ulab  in  1 8(1-1 ;  w.as  with 
him  at  his  death;  has  since   returned 
to  Wisconsin,  and  )iow  (Isii")  resides  in 
Osbko-h.  with  bor  widowed  daughter, 
'  Mrs.  Fitzgerald. 

i     IIox.  .Jkuomk  I.  Cask. — Tbe  sub- 
I  ,i(;ct  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Wil- 
j  iiainsiown,  Oswego  County,  X.Y.,  Dec. 
1  II,   1819,  and  is   the  youngest  of  four 
'  brotliers.    His  parents,  Calel)  and  Debo- 
j  rah  Case,  were  among  the  pioneor.s  of 
I  Western  \ew  York,  having  moved  at 
an  early  day  from  Kensselaer  County 
lo  Williamstown,  wliere  wilb  a  family 
of  litll(!  ones  to  support,  and  in  limited 
circumstances,     they    commenced    to 
clear  up  a  farm  in  the  then  almost  un- 
broken wilderness.     Young  Case  was 
thus  nurtured  in  a  good  school  for  the 
devi'lopment  of  the  two  distinguishing 
elements  of  Hie  American  (diaractor, — 
an  idi'a  of  imhilili/  and  an  idea  o( faith; 
the  nobility  of  labor,  the  faith  in  one's 
own  ]iowers. 

Jlis  opportnnilies  for  aciiniring  an 
education  were  such  as  wore  afforded 
by  the  district  school,  which  he  could 
attend  only  in  winter.  At  the  ago  of 
sixle<'ii  be  had  aci|uired  a  common- 
school  education,  ami  a  n^putalion  for 
trustworlbincss  beyond  his  ynars.  At 
Ibis  lime  liis  father  purchased  the 
right  to  use  and  sell  a  certain  primi- 
tive, one-horse,  tread-power  threshing- 
machine;  and  it  is  noliceable  that 
.Jerome,  iln;  youngest,  son,  was  selected 
to  manage  and  u-e  IIk'  machine.  This 
appa"enlly  trilling  cireiimstanco  de- 
cided for  young  (,'ase  wliat  should  be 
his  vocation.  From  the  lirst  he  ex- 
hibited a  fondness  for  niachinery,  and, 
in  his  first  allempt,  managed  tho  rick- 
ety one-borso  tread-mill  to  tho  com- 
pleto   satisfaction  of   himself   and  all 


746 


niSTOIlY  OF  WISCONS/N. 


pnrlli'si  concerned.  Tlih  cmployineiit 
hi'  I'dlliiwiMl  until  1.S40,  wlioii  ho  U'ciiiiio 
of  iiHo. 

Ji'nmio  now  (li'lcriniiic:!  to  ohtiiiii  n^ 
good  ail  ('(liicatinn  iw  tin!  MchciolH  ol' 
Ni!W  Yipik  Stiil(!  cmilil  lit  that  liiin' 
giv(!  him.  Ill'  arriii'iiin';ly,  hi  lh<!  tall 
of  184il,  i'i>iiliiii.Mii:i'il  till!  Ihir^hili^- 
husincss  on  his  mvii  aci'oiiiit.  lli'  had 
now,  for  tliii  lirst  time  in  his  \iU\  a 
distinct  (ihjocl  to  obtain;  and  lio  toiliMl 
with  a  hrartiiioMH  and  a  pi'isovi'iance 
that  could  liardly  fail  to  lirin.n  suicoms. 
In  January,  1H4I,  with  tlii!  prolits  of 
hin  autumn's  work  in  liis  pocl;ot,  ho 
Diilered  the  Academy  of  Jlexicovillc. 
N.Y.  It  scorned  to  him  that  the  object 
of  his  anient  desiio,  and  for  which  lie 
liiid  long  waited,  was  now  within  his 
grasp.  Self-reliant,  —  l(>okiii<;upim  toil 
as  honorable,  and  labor  aa  diKnifyini; 
the  laborer,  —  and  strong  of  purpose, 
he  devoted  himself  chiefly  to  those 
studies  that  would  best  lit  him  for  the 
v.'ork  he  had  decided  to  undertake; 
viz.,  the  construction  of  labor-saving 
m,ichinery.  lie  succeeded  well  in  liis 
studies;  but  ho  hud  raised  a  spirit  that 
would  not  lot  him  rest.  Daily  over  his 
books,  and  nightly  in  his  dreams,  the 
inventive  genius  was  ever  busy;  and 
the  old  tread-mill  thresher  was  con- 
stantly before  his  eyes.  At  the  close 
of  the  term  ho  decided  to  leave  the 
academy,  and  outer  upon  Ills  life-work. 
lie  felt  that  lie  had  a  work  to  do,  and 
an  education  to  acquire,  outside  of 
books,  among  men,  and  that  he  had 
started  too  late  to  get  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  books,  and  accomplish 
what  ho  intended  to  do  afterward. 
Thus,  at  tho  age  of  twenty-two,  with- 
out capital,  or  friends  aide  to  furnish 
him  pecuniary  aid,  lie  began  tho  career 
that  was  to  terminate  in  making  him 
one  of  the  leading  manufacturers  of 
the  West. 

Directly  after  leaving  school,  Mr. 
Case  turned  his  attention  again  to 
throshing-maehinerv.  In  tlie  sprini; 
of  1842  he  procured,  upon  credit,  six 
of  these  machines,  and  took  them  West 
with  him,  locating  himself  at  Hacine, 
in  the  then  Territory  of  Wisconsin. 
The  great  agricultural  resources  of  tho 
West  were  it  that  time  undeveloped ; 
but  the  attention  of  enterprising  men 
had  been  directed  to  these  broad  and 
fertile  prairies;  and  the  reading  of  Jlr. 
Case  had  given  him  an  idea  of  tho  pos- 
Bibilities  that  lay  hidden  in  them.  Ar- 
riving at  ilacini',  then  a  mere  village, 
he  disposed  of  all  his  machines  but 
one,    and    with    that   lie    started    off 


through  the  country,  th'-eshing  grain, 
managing  tho  niaihine  himself,  anil 
constanlly  devising,  iliiiiug  liis  hours 
of  li'isuro,  some  iuinrovi'mi'iil.  In  tlio 
spring  of  184.'!,  liiiding  that  his  tread- 
mill mai'biiii'  was  nearly  worn  out.  and 
consciouiof  bis  aliillly  to  greatly  im- 
prove ii.  III!  snt  to  work,  Willi  the  aid 
of  such  tools  and  mi'ihanlrs  as  ho 
could  linil,  to  liiiilil  and  remodel,  after 
sonii'  patterns  made  by  bjiiiself,  his  old 
horse-power  and  thri'^lii'r.  Wlien  lin- 
Ishi'd,  and  put  in  operation,  ho  found 
not  only  that  ho  had  made  a  machine 
vastly  better  than  llie  old  one  he  had 
been  using,  but  also  that  ho  had  made 
a  bettor  machine  than  he  could  buy 
at  tho  East.  His  success  becoming 
known,  he  soon  found  himself  able  to 
discontinue  threshing,  and  turned  his 
atilentioii  to  tho  manufacture  of  ma- 
chines. 

Up  to  this  time  invention  had  only 
succeeded  in  making  what  was  called 
an  open  thresher;  the  grain,  chaff,  and 
straw  being  delivered  together  from 
the  machine,  roiiuiring  an  afler-iirocess 
of  winnowing  in  order  to  separate  the 
grain  from  the  chaff.  In  the  winter  of 
1843-44  Mr.  Case  succeiided  in  making 
a  thresher  and  separator  combined, 
after  a  nioilei  of  his  own  invention, 
wliicli  ho  had  in.ide  in  the  kitidieii  of  a 
farmhouse  at  Itochester,  Wis,  Tliis 
was  tho  llrst  m.ichino  used  in  tho  West 
that  threshed  and  cleaned  tho  grain  at 
one  operation.  It  was  a  success  best 
appreciated,  most  probably,  by  the 
man,  who,  for  three  years,  had  labored 
under  every  disadvantage  to  attain 
that  result.  In  the  fall  of  tho  same 
year  Mr.  Case  rented  a  .small  shop  at 
Kacine,  and  undertook  the  building  of 
a  limited  numlior  of  his  new  inacliines. 
.Some  adequate  idea  of  the  tempera- 
ment and  indomitable  perseverance  of 
this  man,  as  well  as  of  the  discouraging 
obstacles  that  ho  oncounter(!d,  may  be 
formi'd,  when  we  state  that  the  most 
cxperiiiiced  agriculturalists  of  the 
.State,  when  told  by  Mr.  Case  that  ho 
was  building  six  machines  for  sale, 
asserted,  that,  if  they  did  work  satis- 
factorily, they  would  bo  nioro  than 
were  needed  in  tho  entire  Slate. 

Constantly  improving,  remodelling, 
and  iierfecting  his  machinery,  Mr.  Case, 
in  1(547,  erected  his  first  shop,  near  the 
site  of  his  present  extensive  manufac- 
tory. It  was  a  brick  building  thirty 
feet  wide  by  eighty  feet  long,  and  three 
stories  in  height.  At  tho  time,  ho  con- 
sidered it  larger  than  ho  would  ever 
need,  but  tliought  he  would  put  up  a 


niSTORY  OF  wiscosaiN. 


747 


gonfl  building,  that  hIiouIJ  bo  a  credit 
to  lilt!  titwii. 

Ueiii!{  now  well  o.stal)iiHli('d  in  l)iisi- 
ncN.s,  Ik;  |)iii>uud  vitii  itnllincliiii^; 
viK<>r  tlie  purpose  of  liiD  lifo.  Tlu! 
coiiiitrv  was  ilcvclopinj;  rapiillv.  •In- 
unciilliviUi'il  pniirii's  of  IKI-  Ijcconiiu!; 
tlio  riciily  prodiictivi)  faniH  of  IH.'iO. 
Till!  demand  for  tiie  J.  I.  Cast!  Tliroslicr 
and  Hors(!-l'o\viM'  Hti'udlly  increased; 
and  cai'li  yoar  wilnosseil  Home  new 
trinmpli  of  tlie  dcsiKncr's  skill.  Kocoi;- 
nlzinn.  willi  tlie  true  niauufacluri'r'H 
instinct,  the  fact,  lh.it.  to  bo  penu.i- 
nenlly  sm'cessful,  it  was  ess(>nlial  not 
only  that  his  niaehiiies  should  be  un- 
surpassed in  excellence,  but  also  that 
he  should  be  able  to  niamifai:ture  them 
with  tiu)  fjiealest  possil)le  (economy  of 
time  and  labor,  ho  was  constantly  de- 
vising labor-saving  machinery;  and 
while  he  was  briiiiiing  slowly  but 
surely  out  of  the  primitive  tread-mill 
of  Ciswego  County  tlie  unsurpassed 
Thresher  aiul  I'ower  at  present  manu- 
factured by  him,  he  was  at  the  same 
lime  constantly  improving  the  machin- 
ery of  his  manufactory. 

In  18."),  only  thirteen  years  from  the 
time  when  he  stood  upon  the  threshold 
of  his  gieat  enterprise,  was  success 
assured.  Ue  had  trium))lied  over  pov- 
erty, surmounted  all  obstacles,  and 
realized  by  his  own  exertions  the  id<!al 
mechanism  he  luid  dreamed  of  in  his 
youth,  when  he  iised  to  haul  to  market, 
over  the  corduroy  roads  of  Oswego 
County,  a  load  of  wood  to  exchange 
for  a  barrel  of  salt.  His  extensive 
manufactory,  of  substantial  brick  and 
wood  buildings,  occupying  in  all  its 
appointments  several  acres  of  grouiul. 
situated  on  the  bank  of  liaciuc  Uiver, 
just  inside  the  lake  harbor,  witli  its 
dock  for  vessels,  its  furnace,  moulding- 
room,  paint-shops,  belt-factory,  and 
dry-kilns,  and  its  vast  work-rooms 
filled  with  perfect  and  complicated 
machinery,  all  systcmati/  i  Jid  org.an- 
ized  in  .as  perfect  ord<  r  ii  ;i  i:  'litary 
camp,  stands  to-day  a  luonuMi  it  in 
itself  to  the  inventivo  s'all,  keei.  fore- 
sight, and  indomitable  '  reigy,  I  the 
farmer-boy  of  Williamst'uvn.  -.''A  en- 
titles him  to  take  his  pi.i  e  .imong 
those  men  of  tliought  and  action  whose 
own  exertions  have  made  them  thu 
representative  men  of  the  West. 

In  I84'J  Mr.  Case  married  Lydia  A., 
daughter  of  UeGrove  Uull,  Ksi].,  of 
Yorkville,  Wis.,  an  estimable  laily,  of 
whom  it  is  sutJicient  to  say,  that  in  the 
practice  of  those  domestic  virtues 
whicli  grace  tlie  wife  and  mother,  and 


In  that  open-Iianded  ch.arity  whlcli 
adorns  the  female  character,  she  Is  an 
ornament  to  the  social  ])osillon  whidi 
her  husband's  eminent  success  has 
called  ber  to  occupy. 

In  l8o()  Mr.  Case,  altliough  In  no 
resp(!ct  an  ollice-seeker,  was  elected 
mayor  of  the  city  of  llacine.  He  was 
tendered  the  nomination  again  the  fol- 
lowing yiNir,  but  declined  the  poHition. 
IJeing  urged  by  his  frieiids  to  accept 
tlie  nomination  to  the  same  ofllcc  in 
1.S51).  be  consented,  and  was  elected  a 
second  time  to  the  mayoralty  of  thu 
city,  over  the  Hon.  .John  M.  Cary,  his 
competitor.  In  18.")tl  he  was  elected 
.State  senator,  and  served  with  ability 
for  a  term  of  two  yc.u-.s  in  the  Wiscon- 
sin senate,  being  noted  in  that  body 
for  Ills  ready  mast(M-y  of  details,  and 
great  executive  ability.  In  politics 
.Mr.  Case  has  always  lieon  identilied 
with  the  Ki'publican  parly. 

Mr.  Case  si  ill  coiilines  himself  to 
business,  and  is  regardi'd  as  one  of  tlie 
wealthiest  citizens  of  Wi-sconsin. 

Ho.v.  Wir.LiAM  It.  Tavi.ob.i  — 
"He  was  burn  in  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut, July  10,  1820.  His  motlier, 
'vlio  was  a  native  of  .Scotland,  died 
when  tlio  subject  of  this  sketcii  was 
three  weeks  old.  Ili.s  father,  a  sea- 
captain,  was  lo>:t  at  sea,  with  his 
vessel,  wluMi  tlio  son  was  about  six 
years  of  age.  Thus  totally  bereft  of 
paternal  care  and  alTecti(Ui  at  this 
t(mder  age,  ho  was  consigned  to  the 
guardianship  of  strangers,  who  re- 
sided in  .lell'erson  County,  in  the  .State 
of  New  York,  where  he  remained  dur- 
ing ills  boyhood,  subject  to  all  the  hard- 
ships which  characterized  pioneer  life, 
and  tlio  still  greater  liardships  incident 
to  the  .ibsence  of  natural  c.aro  and 
sympathy.  Uiiring  tlieso  years  ho 
travelled  on  foot  three  miles  to  a 
country  school,  receiving  but  littlo  in- 
struction. Falling  into  severe  hands, 
before  lio  was  sixteen  years  of  ago, 
without  money,  patrons,  or  friends,  ho 
sought  a  better  fortune.  Tho  chosen 
l)allnvay  was  rugged  and  cheerless; 
but  the  spirit  which  gave  force  to  his 
efforts  was  undaunted.  His  immedi- 
ate object  at  this  time  was  education; 
and  for  many  years  lie  continued  the 
struggle,  alternately  chopping  drd- 
woocl,  working  in  the  harvest-tield,  or 
at  any  other  manual  labor,  in  the 
mean  time  attending  school,  and  fi- 
nally teacliing.    Tiio  result  was  a  good 

'  Propare<l  by  Col.  W.  B.  Slaughter  of 
MaUiaou.  — 0.  U.  T. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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WEBST«,N.Y.  14:80 

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748 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


nondemlc  eduoation,  and  a  certificate 
of  adiuisxicm  to  tlio  lliiid  term  of  tlie 
EDpiiomiire  year  at  Union  College  in 
Schenectady,  .V.Y.  I'';t  it  was  not  des- 
tin<Ml  for  liiui  to  reap  the  full  benefit 
of  this  cnterp'.ise.  On  the  very  day 
that  the  class  of  which  he  was  a  mem- 
ber left  for  SclieiifcCtady,  to  complete 
their  collegiate  course,  he  went  into  the 
sugar-bush,  and  with  his  own  hands, 
and  a  tiMim  to  haul  the  wood  and  sap, 
made  eleven  hundred  pound-!  of  sugar, 
and  two  b.arrelsof  molases,  with  which 
to  pay  tuition  and  board-l>ills  already 
contra(!ted.  We  next  find  him  engaged 
in  conducliiig  a  select  school,  and  then 
an  academy. 

"  In  1840  he  moved  to  Elyrla,  Lorain 
County,  ().,  where  he  joined  a  class  of 
forty-five  young  men  preparing  for 
teaching.  About  this  time  the  school 
authorities  at  Laporte,  in  that  State, 
were  offering  an  extra  price  for  any 
teacher  who  would  assume  the  charge 
of  their  public  school,  —  a  school  which 
had  become  a  terror  to  all  candidates 
for  the  place,  because  of  the  reputa- 
tion of  the  pupils  for  disorder  and 
violeir  .-.  The  previous  winter,  no 
less  than  three  excellent  teachers  li.ad 
undertaken  tlie  task  of  teaching  there, 
anil  failed;  so  that  the  school  was 
entirely  broken  up.  It  was  an  oppor- 
tunity young  Taylor  coveted.  During 
the  third  winter,  un<Ier  his  manage- 
ment, it  became  the  premium  school 
of  the  county.  We  next  find  him 
running  a  grist-mill,  s.aw-mill,  and 
cupola-furnace,  and  reganled  as  the 
best  mouhler  in  the  factory.  Failing 
in  healtli  from  over-work,  he  devoted 
Ids  spare  time  to  reading  medicine, 
and,  in  the  winter  of  184.")— 10,  attended 
a  five-months'  course  of  lectures  and 
clinical  Instruction  In  the  Medical 
College  at  Cleveland,  O.  During  his 
residence  in  Ohio,  he  was  elected  a 
captain  (receiving  every  vote  in  tlie 
company),  and  then  a  colonel,  iu  the 
Ohio  militia. 

"  During  the  fall  of  1848  ho  came  to 
Wisconsin,  and  settled  on  the  farm  at 
Cottage  Grove,  in  Dane  County,  where 
he  now  resides.  Ills  life  for  many 
years  was  one  of  great  activity  .i.id 
unceasing  toll.  Not  content  with  the 
ordinary  labor  of  the  farm,  he  resorted 
to  the  pineries  in  the  winter  months, 
and  became  identified  with  the  hard- 
ships of  that  enterprising  class  of  our 
population  wlio  have  contributed  so 
much  to  the  wealth  of  lln;  State.  The 
result  of  the  severe  experience  we 
have  narrated  is  muulfcst  Iu  the  whole 


character  of  the  man.  In  every  re- 
spect the  architect  of  his  own  for- 
tunes, he  is  necessarily  self-reliant, 
independent,  energetic,  pr.ietical,  hon- 
est in  purpose,  and  kind  in  lu'art, 
methodical,  and  thoroughly  system- 
atic in  business.  During  his  boyhood 
and  early  manhood,  a  pupil,  teacher, 
miller,  founderyman,  raftsman,  and 
lumberman,  by  turns,  and  for  twenty 
years  a  practical  farmer,  bis  sympathy 
for  self-dependent  laboring-men,  and 
his  Interest  in  the  prosperity  of  the 
industrial  classes,  are  intuitive  and 
sincere.  Full  six  feet  In  lieiglit,  with 
every  muscle  of  his  frame  educated  to 
Its  natural  power,  he  Is  in  person  the 
embodiment  of  physical  energy  and 
strength,  and  a  nobio  representative  of 
the  roy.al  class  of  pioneer  workingmen 
to  which  he  belongs.  In  manner,  as 
in  mental  disposition  (though  eonsti- 
tutionally  difttdent  and  re>erved),  be 
is  plain,  dignified,  and  sincere.  Hy- 
pocrisy, affect.ation,  and  deceit.  In  all 
their  phases,  whether  social,  linaiicial, 
or  political,  are  to  liim  extremely 
obnoxious.  Honest  and  unalte(!ted 
himself,  ho  cannot  tolerates  others 
de"i.id  of  these  qualities.  His  bard 
experience  in  life  has  taught  him  to 
be  nustrustfnl  of  others,  yet  lie  is 
naturally  confiding  iu  those  lie  deems 
worthy  of  bis  conlidence  and  respect. 
Though  pr.ietical  and  eeonomieal  In 
the  expenditure  of  money,  he  is  lib- 
oral  to  the  poor  and  the  unfortunate. 
Xo  one  in  distress  ever  appealed  to 
him  In  vain. 

"  Conciliatory  and  forgiving  to  ene- 
mies, he  never  forgets  .acts  of  kindness 
to  himself.  Like  Franklin,  ho  lias 
aided  many  young  men  in  the  com- 
mencement of  their  business-career, 
and  has  been  gratified  with  their  suc- 
cess, lie  is  an  acute  observer  of  things 
and  passing  events.  With  bro.ad  and 
comprehensive  views,  lie  has  accurate 
knowledge  of  men,  soun.i  judgment, 
comes  slowly  to  conclusions,  is  firm  in 
his  convictions,  energetic  and  thorough 
in  execution.  Ho  is  reticent,  thouglit- 
fiil,  and  conscientious:  hence  rarely 
disappointed  In  results.  Honest  hiin- 
si'lf,  lie  naturally  exacts  honesty  in 
others.  Kind  to  the  weak  and  the 
good,  l)idd  and  daring  in  opposition  to 
the  vicious  and  the  strong,  retiring 
and  ditildiMit  in  deportmen'.  he  yet 
s(!eins  to  have  a  reserved  force  ecpial 
to  all  emergencies.  It  is  no  mystery 
that  this  man  has  become  the  recog- 
nized leader  of  th(!  masses  of  the  pei>- 
ple  iu  their  struggle  for  political  and 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSm. 


749 


financial  refonn  In  Wv\  .idrainistration 
of  till!  iilTiiirs  (if  Ki>V(!rinueiit. 

"  He  cntorml  upon  his  piesont  posi- 
tion wit  li  a  iiii-ge  t'xpeiioiii'o  in  piibiic 
ntlaii-!'.  1I(!  was  never  perniittetl  to 
remain  long  in  private  life.  lh\  Iiaa 
been  eailc'ii  to  fill  varions  town,  connty, 
and  Stale  offlecs;  lias  repeatedly  re- 
ceived eviM'y  vole  east  foreliainnan  of 
the  boanl  of  his  town;  has  been 
superintendent  of  sehooN;  has  bean 
trt'iee  eliainnan  of  the  Dane  County 
IJoard  of  Supervisors,  consisting  of 
forty-one  members;  has  been  county 
superintendent  of  the  poor  seventeen 
years;  was  trustee,  and  many  years 
vice-president  and  meml)er  of  the 
executive  committee  of  the  State 
Hospital  fir  tlie  Insane  at  Madison, 
from  its  re-organization  in  ISOO  until 
1874.  In  lliese  various  positions,  in 
connection  with  his  associates,  he 
has  liandled  liundrcds  of  Ihousaiuls  of 
dollars  of  jiublie  funds  belonging  to 
towns,  eou'ity,  aiul  State,  witii  clean 
hands.  Has  licen  a  member  of  botii 
branches  of  I  lie  Slate  legislature, 
where  he  was  respected  and  consult- 
ed ;  has  served  seven  years  as  presi- 
dent of  the  Dane  County  Agricultural 
Society;  was  chief  niarslial  of  the 
State  Agricultural  Society  seven  or 
eight,  j'cars,  and  twice  its  president. 

"During  t lie  war  of  the  Itebellion, 
he  w.as  the  first  man  in  Dane  County 
to  oiler  a  public  b(ninty  for  volunteers, 
wliich  led  to  the  offer  of  other  boun- 
ties, and  many  cjilistments. 

"  In  187 !  lie  was  by  accl.amation 
placi'(I  at  tlie  head  of  the  Kefonii 
ticket,  and  elected  governor  of  the 
Stale,  roeeivl'ig  81  dS-j  voles  against 
0(1,224  for  his  opponent,  (i')V.  C.  C. 
Wnshbnrn.  His  career  in  the  execu- 
tive cliair  has  been  marked  by  tlw; 
same  practical  ability  and  iiilegrlty 
that  have  characterized  all  the  acts  of 
his  earnest  .and  laborious  life,  lie  li;is 
enforceil  economy,  honesty,  and  elii- 
ciency  in  tlu!  administration  of  State 
affairs.  That  there  have  been  mur- 
murs and  complaints  by  disappoinled 
aspiranls  to  office  excites  no  surprises 
nor  dIsalTection  on  the  part  of  the 
liberal  and  the  just.  Ilis  oHU'iai  con- 
duct thus  far  has  ommaiuled  the 
respect  of  the  gO(<d  men  of  all  |iarties, 
and  contributed  to  tlio  contentment  of 
the  people  and  the  prosperity  of  the 
State.  If  popular  governments  in  the 
American  Union  are  to  be  preserved 
to  the  people  in  their  original  purity, 
that  end  will  l)c  best  attained  by  ele- 
vating to  high  ulflcial  poiiitions  self- 


made  men,  whoso  lives,  like  that  of 
Gov.  T.ayior,  furnish  a  noble  example 
of  honorable  enterprise,  and  unselfish 
devotion  to  every  public  and  private 
duty." 

AVe  may.  with  propriety,  add  to  the 
colonel's  biograpliy  of  the  governop  a 
brief  review  of  his  administration  and 
public  services.  But  first,  in  relation 
to  his  election,  —  the  ccnitest,  in  which 
his  party  was  victorious,  and  the  criti- 
cisms to  which  tlie  election  was  sub- 
jected,—  tliere  are  a  few  things  that 
liroperly  belong  to  history,  which  may 
he  said  in  this  connection.  On  his 
election,  tlie  Republican  press  of  the 
State,  with  a  few  e.vceptions,  was  cx- 
ceeilingly  fair  ami  honest  in  its  criti- 
cisms. It  coiic(;deil,  for  the  most 
part,  both  his  ability  and  disiwsilion 
to  make  his  administration  an  able 
one,  which  should  not  conform  to 
such  outside  influences  as  always  seel{ 
to  inflict  themselves  upon  the  e.xecii- 
tivo  department  of  a  State  government. 
IJut  there  were  except  ioiis,  as  we  have 
already  hinted,  here  and  there,  in  this 
regard,  —  exceptions,  however,  that 
arose  entirely  from  partisanship,  ami 
not  from  any  reasonable  cause.  Some 
of  the  most  bitter  of  •tliese  predicted 
that  Oov.  Taylor  would  biu-ome  a  mere 
screen,  behind  wliich  another  would 
be  the  real  governor;  that  he  would 
be  a  tool  in  tlie  hands  of  a  certain  rail- 
road presiilent,  to  perform  w(nk  which 
that  distinguisheil  gentleman  would 
inslig'te,  but  shirk  tlie  responsibility 
of  perforiifing.  We  cite  tliis  particu- 
lar case  now,  after  tlii;  heat  of  the 
campaign  li.as  [iinsed,  in  order  to  con- 
trast it  Willi  wliat  Hie  record  of  Mr. 
Taylor,  as  governor,  has  been,  and  for 
the  purpose  of  holding  up  polilieal 
cainpaigiis  in  the  light  of  liistory; 
by  whicli  light  we  may  clearly  see  the 
injustice  of  party  erilieisni.  But,  in 
liie  midst  of  this  criticism,  tliere  w.as 
a  powerful  current  of  political  opinion, 
wiiicii  found  c.  pressioii  alike  in  both 
Democralle  and  Ilepublican  newspa- 
pers, ill  able  support  of  the  governor. 
.Mr.  <".  D.  IJobinson.  Ilio  well-known 
and  able  editor  of  "  The  Ureeii  Bay 
Advocate,"  upon  the  election  of  Gov. 
Taylor,  made  these  remarks :  "  Xo 
man  in  the  .State  exceeds  liiin  in  per- 
sonal in(le|)i'iiiliMice,  in  ability  to  de- 
termine ills  own  line  of  conduct  on 
any  question,  and  in  a  sturdy  dctor- 
mination  to  follow  it  c  •'  according  to 
Ills  best  judgment.  It  has  lieen  our 
own  fortune  to  bo  connected  with  him 
in  oflicial  service  for  many  years,— 


7B0 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONBTH. 


that  of  the  nianngemcnt  of  the  Madi- 
son Hospital  for  tlie  Insane;  and  wc 
have  long  aj{o  learned  to  admire  him 
for  these  qualities.  That  Board  con- 
Bisted  of  fifteen  members,  a  majority 
of  whom  were  of  opposite  politics  ; 
and  we  know  that  every  one  of  them 
will  indorse  what  we  say  of  him.  In 
practical  al)ility,  steadiness  of  charac- 
ter, thorough  honesty,  and  native 
independence.  Gov.  Taylor  will  prove 
the  peer  of  any  governor  which 
Wisconsin  has  ever  had.  And  that  is 
Baying  a  good  deal ;  for,  looking  along 
the  list  of  our  chief  executives  since 
this  State  lias  had  a  being,  it  showt  a 
record  second,  at  least,  to  no  Western 
State,  if,  indeed,  any  in  the  Union. 
He  will  lose  nothing  in  comparison 
with  Dodge,  Dewey,  Farwell,  Barstow, 
Dashford,  Itandall,  Harvey,  Salomon, 
Lewis,  Fairchild,  or  Washburn.  Most, 
if  not  all,  of  these,  are  illustrious 
names,  remarkable,  perhaps,  more  for 
their  practical  executive  al)ility,  and 
Bterling  reliability,  than  exalted  educa- 
tion, and  brilliant  attainments;  and 
they  form  a  record  of  which  any  State 
might  be  proud.  When  William  I!. 
Taylor's  name  shall  have  gone  ini' 
the  past  with  them,  it  will  take  an 
honorable  place,  and  second  to  none 
in  that  assembly." 

And,  now  that  the  record  has  been 
made  up,  what  may  wo  say  of  the 
emphatic  prediction  of  Mr.  Robinson  ? 
Have  not  all  his  words  been  admirably 
f ulHlled  ?  And  does  not  the  name  of 
William  R.  Taylor  take  an  honorable 
stand  in  the  impartial  history  of  Wis- 
consin? These  questions  may  be  best 
answered  by  the  following  editorial 
from  •' The  Milwaukee  Daily  News:" 
"Parties,  and  men  of  all  opinions  at 
Madison,  agree  that  (Jov.  Taylor  is 
making  one  of  the  very  best  governors 
which  the  State  ever  had.  Called  to 
the  office  in  a  great  crisis  in  politics, 
at  a  time  when  a  party,  after  being 
eighteen  years  in  power,  luul  retired, 
arid  a  new  party  had  taken  its  place, 
with  but  little  previous  experience  in 
public  affairs,  taken  from  his  farm  to 
be  placed  in  the  executive  chair  of  the 
State,  he  was  surrounded  by  obstacles, 
embarrassments,  conllicting  interests, 
and  novel  situations,  from  which  the 
highest  political  skill  and  adroitness 
could  hardly  have  extricated  him 
without  his  falling  into  some  errors 
and  mistakes.  But  as  the  late  Chief 
Justice  Dixon,  raw  and  undisciplined 
In  judicial  office,  after  his  elevation  to 
Chief  Justice  Whiton's  place,  rapidly 


grew,  until  he  hecanie  an  admirable 
presiding  officer  of  the  court,  so  Gov. 
Taylor,  with  a  readiness,  adaptability, 
and  force,  liardly  to  be  expected  of 
one  in  his  place,  and  surroimded  by 
circumstances  lilie  his,  has  developed 
into  an  executive  of  rare  capacity, 
with  a  good  understanding  of  tlie 
highest  and  most  intricate  public  In- 
terests, and  with  grasp  and  compre- 
hension of  all  the  matters  vital  to  the 
people,  which  show  a  mind  of  an  ex- 
cellent order,  and  a  practical  ability 
equal  to  that  of  the  most  distinguished 
of  his  predecessors.  Growing  out  of 
the  e.arly  difficulties  of  his  office,  there 
were  some  estranged  friendships,  and 
some  hostility  of  feeling,  among  the 
politicians  who  were  too  anxious  to 
see  results,  and  could  not  give  a  politi- 
cal revolution  time  for  development, 
and  for  the  realization  of  its  fruits. 
Most  of  this  feeling,  or  these  feoiings, 
we  are  glad  to  say,  have  disappeared. 
To-day  Gov.  Taylor  Is  one  of  the  most 
popular  public  men  ever  known  in  the 
State." 

For  an  account  of  Gov.  Taylor's 
administration,  see  p.  041. 

Hon.  William  E.  Smith.  — There 
is  no  other  man  in  the  State  of  Wis- 
consin who  has  made  a  greater  Impres- 
sion upon  its  citizens,  through  deeds 
characterized  by  integrity  and  useful- 
ness, than  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
His  life  and  character  present  alike 
the  successful  merchant,  popular  citi- 
zen, faithful  public  officer,  refined 
gentleman,  and  accomplished  scholar: 
to  these  may  be  added  the  genial  com- 
panion and  true  friend.  Our  sketch 
of  his  life,  though  poorly  written.  Is 
certainly  interesting.  In  the  sunnner 
of  18ii5  his  father's  family  set  sail 
for  the  >few  World  In  search  of  a 
home.  They  landed  in  New  York, 
where  all  but  the  father  remained, 
whil-  the  latter  pushed  westward  to 
"  prospect "  among  the  border  settle- 
ments, lie  secured  a  quarter-section 
of  land  in  Michigan,  about  thirty  miles 
north  of  Detroit,  on  which  he  erected 
a  rude  log-cabin,  and  then  returned 
for  his  family.  In  the  spring  of  1830 
they  all  came  out,  and  settled  on  the 
new  farm.  The  five  years  following 
was  a  period  characterized  by  hard 
work,  —  hard  work  with  the  plough, 
hoe,  spade,  and  axe.  In  this  rough 
Held  of  labor,  Mr.  Smith  was  not  an 
idle  observer;  but  to  him  each  day  was 
a  day  of  labor.  He  worked  on  his 
father's  fann  for  several  years,  attend- 
ing school  a  portlou  of  the  time,  with 


BISTORT  OF  wiscoysry. 


751 


only  the  additional  attractions  of  the 
village  debating -club  to  enliven  the 
rotitiuc  of  duty. 

At  length  a  village  merchant  se- 
lected Mr.  Smith  from  his  many 
young  associates,  and  tendered  him  a 
c!crl{shi|)  in  his  store.  This  fortun.ite 
occurrence  alike  testified  to  lils  pre- 
vious good  deportment,  and  opened  the 
way  for  further  advancement.  He 
toolj  liis  place  in  the  stor;  in  May,  1841, 
when  but  seventeen  years  of  age,  with 
a  fixed  determination  to  raal<e  the 
most  of  his  position,  to  bo  constant  in 
service,  and  to  advance  the  interests 
of  his  employers.  Fortunatelv  for  the 
subject  of  our  sketch,  the  'town  Li- 
brary was  connected  with  the  store. 
Tiiis  library  contained  an  excellent 
selection,  embracing  works  of  history, 
travel,  and  natural  science.  After  the 
busy  liours  of  the  day  were  over,  ar.d 
during  leisure  hours,  this  library  '..iw 
his  home,  and  its  volumes  his  most 
loved  companions.  In  this  way  he  not 
only  became  conversant  with  all  the 
valuable  works  in  the  library,  but, 
keeping  a  constant  eye  to  newspaper 
literature,  I)esame  also  familiar  with 
all  the  political  issues  and  struggles  of 
the  day.  Nor  was  he,  even  at  this  age, 
in  the  matter  of  politics,  unconcerned 
In  his  choice  of  issues.  His  sense  of 
right  confirmed  him  in  tiie  Whig  faitli. 
A  fact  that  contributed  mucii  to  his 
success  was,  that  he  found  but  little 
time  to  waste  on  society,  and  abso- 
lutely no  time  for  any  sort  of  dissipa- 
*ion.  Always  at  his  post  of  duty  in 
i;ie  churcli  on  the  sabbath,  he  grew  in 
Christian  character;  and,  ever  active 
In  tlic  village  lyeeum,  his  mind  was 
enabled  to  keep  active  pace  with  the 
mo^t  advanced  Issues  in  science,  litera- 
ture, and  politics. 

Ue  remained  at  the  village  store  of 
which  we  have  been  speaking  about 
five  years,  duriiig  which  time  he  won 
the  most  implicit  conlidence  of  his 
employers,  and  tlie  highest  respect  of 
all  his  companions.  Most  of  his 
f  ilary  was  voluntarily  handed  over  to 
j'-.is  father. 

Having  observed  the  conduct  of 
Mr.  .Smith  during  the  years  of  his 
minority,  we  are,  of  course,  prepared 
to  enter  upon  an  account  of  liis  truly 
successful  life.  Nor  is  it  difficult  for 
us  to  see  how  a  life  founded  on  such 
a  boyhood,  resting  on  such  a  youth 
experience,  may  be  successful.  It  is 
an  axiom  not  less  true  than  old,  that 
the  faithful,  obedient  boy  nmkes  the 
favored   and    successful   man.      The 


never-failing  rule  is  not  proven  by  Its 
exception  in  this  case. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  in  the 
spring  of  18-ifl,  he  was  tendered  a  po- 
sition in  the  celel>rated  dry -goods 
establishment  of  Lord  &  Taylor,  in 
the  metropolis  of  the  nation.  The 
advancement  was  marked;  the  prog- 
ress was  radical :  but  these  did  not 
outweigh  the  devotion  with  which 
Mr.  Smith  accepted  his  new  and  more 
responsible  position  in  New  York. 
He  h.ad  been  with  this  well-known 
firm  but  one  year,  when  a  more  ex- 
tensive field  opened  to  his  industry 
and  perseverance.  Ue  was  tendered 
an  important  position  in  the  wholesale 
establishment  of  Ira  Smith  «fe  Com- 
pany of  New  York,  Tills  firm  had  an 
extensive  Western  trade,  —  a  trade 
wliich,  as  wo  shall  see,  was  the  means 
of  securing  to  the  West  the  permanent 
residence  of  our  subject.  Mr.  Smith 
accepted  this  position  in  1&47.  This 
was  before  "  travelling  salesmen  "  were 
in  vogue,  when  our  Western  merchants 
went  on  to  New  York  twice  a  year  to 
select  tlieir  supplies,  when  the  canal 
and  Kikes  were  open.  At  the  close  of 
the  fail  tratie  in  1847-48,  Mr.  Smith, 
h.avliig  won  the  entire  confidence  bf 
his  employer,  not  only  in  his  integrity, 
but  his  commercial  ability,  was  so  t  to 
the  Western  States  to  take  charge  of 
and  look  after  the  interests  of  his 
liouse  in  this  section.  Tie  i>erformed 
this  work  in  a  manner  attended  by 
great  success,  until  the  fall  of  1849, 
when  ho  was  offered  a  partnership 
interest  in  the  establishment  of  a  son 
of  Ira  Smith,  who  had  opened  a  gene- 
ral store  at  Fox  Lake,  Wis.  He  was 
I  also  tendered  unlimited  credit  by  his 
employers  In  New  York. 

J  ox  Lake  was  then  a  little  hamlet 
with  scarcely  two  hundred  inliabitaiits, 
situated  some  seventy  miles  north-west 
from  Milwaukee,  'lliere  were  in  tho 
town  two  stores,  a  few  dwelling- 
houses,  a  saw-mill,  and  a  small  school- 
house,  used  alternately  for  teaching 
and  preaching.  Tho  surrounding  coun- 
try was  new,  rich,  and  rapidly  filling 
up  ,'ith  an  intelligent,  enterprising 
population;  and  it  was  plain  to  Mr. 
Sinitli  that  Fox  Lake  offered  extraor- 
dinary inducements  for  the  investment 
of  skill  and  capital.  His  great  fore- 
sight enabled  him  to  iK'netrate  into 
tlic  future  development  of  that  region ; 
and  he  decided  to  cast  his  lot  with 
that  people;  and  It  may  be  said  tiiat 
this  decision  was  of  much  importance 
to  the  common  weal  of  Fox  Lake. 


752 


ursTORT  OF  wrscoNsm. 


Having  (Iptermlned  to  settle  at  Fox 
Lake,  Mr.  Smith  "  betliought  him  of 
the  girl  he  left  beliind,"  who  had, 
years  before,  won  his  heart  in  Michi- 
gan. Slie  was  a  clergyman's  daugh- 
ter, thoroughly  aceompllshed.  Having 
entered  Into  the  bonds  of  matrimony 
with  the  choice  of  his  yonth,  Mr. 
Smith  set  at  work  in  good  earnest  in 
building  up  a  business  for  his  store  at 
Fox  Lake.  In  this  ho  was,  if  possible, 
more  successful  than  in  any  previous 
effort.  His  store  soon  became  the 
most  popular  resort  for  general  sup- 
plies, by  the  people  in  the  county,  for 
many  miles  surrounding.  And  in  this 
prosperity  his  peculiar,  straightfor- 
ward, upright  manner  of  doing  busi- 
ness contributed  much.  The  whole 
people,  with  one  consent,  gave  him 
their  confldonco  and  support ;  and  the 
measure  of  his  success  was  limited 
only  by  the  measure  of  his  ambition. 

In  these  pioneer  days,  18.")0-51,  there 
was  no  church  at  Fox  Lake.  The 
little  congregation  gathered  at  the 
sohoolhouse;  Mr.  Smith  occasionally 
kindling  the  (ires,  and  supplying  can- 
dles from  his  store.  In  1852"  he  com- 
menced a  movement  for  the  building 
of  a  church.  Subscriptions  were  cir- 
culated, contracts  let,  money  advanced, 
and  the  building  pushed  to  completion. 
This  little  church,  erected  largely 
through  the  efforts  and  by  the  means 
advanced  by  Mr.  Smith,  was  opened  to 
all  denominations,  as  was  also  Mr. 
Smitlj's  house,  which  soon  became  the 
home  of  all  wayfaring  bishops  and 
preachers.  We  might,  with  propriety, 
notice  in  this  connection,  that  while 
Mr.  Smith  has  always  been  foremost 
In  the  community  in  which  he  has 
lived,  as,  also,  in  the  whole  State,  in 
works  of  education  and  benevolence 
and  Christianity,  he  is  wholly  unsecta- 
rian,  giving  his  support  alike  freely 
to  promote  every  good  word  and  work. 

Through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Smith 
and  others,  an  academy  was  started 
in  Fox  Lake  in  18.");!:  but  this  was 
soon  after  appropriately  incorporated 
into  the  public  school.  But  he  was 
not  content  with  public  schools,  how- 
ever, but,  soon  after,  set  himself  ac- 
tively at  work,  organizing  a  young 
ladies'  eminary  at  that  place.  Nor 
was  he  long  in  accomplishing  the  de- 
sired result.  The  institution  was 
opened  in  18o5,  and  lias  grown  to  be 
an  efficient  seliool.  It  is  now  the 
only  exclusive  ladles'  seminary  in  the 
State,  outside  of  Milwaukee.  This  in- 
stitution of   learning  may  be  looked 


upon  M  the  first  of  a  long  list  of  suc- 
cessful efforts  for  the  educational 
growth  of  Wisconsin,  which  Mr. 
Smith  has  put  forth,  with  other  gen- 
tlemen; and  it  w.as  a  good  effort. 
It  would  not  be  an  easy  matter  to  do- 
scribe  the  good  results  that  have 
grown  out  of  this  seminary  in  the 
way  of  preparing  young  ladies  for  the 
duties  of  mothers  and  wives.  Mr. 
Smith  was  also  active  in  establishing  a 
lyceum  ordebatlng-club  at  Fox  Lake, — 
an  institution  which  lie  h.is  nlw.ays  re- 
garded with  favor,  as  calculated  to  give 
employment  to  the  minds  of  young  men, 
influence  their  habits  for  good,  wean 
them  from  vice,  and  lift  them  into 
a  higher  and  purer  atmosphere  of 
thought  and  ambition. 

The  bank  of  Fox  Lake  was  also  a 
pioneer  institution,  and  was  one  of 
the  very  few  in  the  State  that 
weathered  all  financial  storms,  and 
retained  the  confidence  of  the  people. 
Mr.  Smith  w.as  president  of  this  bank 
from  lS.')i)  to  180."),  when  he  was  called 
to  a  larger  field.  Unlilie  most  men 
who  have  been  elected  to  numerous 
important  public  offices,  Mr.  Smith's 
political  and  commercial  experiiMices 
go  hand  in  hand.  His  political  life 
begins  with  the  organization  of  the 
State  government  of  Wisconsin.  He 
was  elected  to  the  assembly  almost 
the  first  ye.ar  he  settled  in  Fox  Lake, 
and  lias  served  the  State  in  some  im- 
portant trust  ever  since,  and  always 
with  singular  ability  and  unimpoaclia- 
ble  lionesty.  His  first  speech  in  the 
State  legislature  was  ni.ado  on  the 
subject  of  capital  punishment.  His 
second  speech  was  in  favor  of  submit- 
ting the  "Bank  Question"  to  tlio 
people.  In  these  efforts,  which  were 
worthy  the  great  interests  involved  in 
the  debate,  Mr.  Smith  thoroughly  im- 
pressed the  citizens  of  Wisconsin  that 
lie  was  no  ordinary  speaker.  His 
style  is  pleasing,  his  power  of  reason 
strong  and  clear,  and  his  command  of 
language  and  illustration  forcible. 

Ill  18)1  Mr.  Smith  was  nominated 
to  the  same  position  by  .acclamation, 
but  doclined  to  be  a  candidate.  The 
failure  of  the  wheat-crop  that  year, 
and  the  consequent  danger  to  busi- 
ness, and  the  interests  of  his  credit- 
ors, decided  him  to  stand  at  the  post 
of  duty  .and  danger,  Instead  of  yield- 
ing to  the  allurements  of  office. 

In  1854  he  took  part  in  the  organi- 
zation, in  Wisconsin,  of  the  Bepub- 
lican  party.  In  1857  he  was  elected 
to  the  State  senate,  and  assigned  to 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


758 


tlie  chairmauship  of  several  of  the 
most  important  committees,  among 
which  was  that  on  education.  In  1858 
Mr.  Smith  was  appointed  one  of  the 
tioard  of  Normal  School  Regents,  a 
position  which  he  still  retains,  and  in 
which  he  has  rendered  the  State  inval- 
uable service. 

In  1801,  when  the  thunders  of  civil 
war  were  pealing  over  the  nation, 
awakening  a  loyal  people  to  feelings 
of  intense  patriotism,  Mr.  Smith  made 
a  visit  to  Washington,  calling  at  the 
White  House  to  pay  his  respects  to 
Pres.  Lincoln.  He  related  to  the  writer, 
not  long  since,  an  i  ''ident  that  oc- 
curred during  his  vi>  to  the  White 
House,  that  is  not  only  'Qresting,  but 
that  reflects  some  of  th(  crling  char- 
acter of  Mr.  Lincoln's  liu,  non  Willie, 
now  deceased.  The  inclduut  occurred 
in  the  hall  below,  while  a  large  party  of 
visitors  were  awaiting  the  adjournment 
of  the  cabinet.  A  crippled  soldier  had 
called  to  see  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  was 
turned  away  by  the  attendant  at  the 
door.  Little  Willie  Lincoln  happened 
in  at  the  moment  the  disheartened  sol- 
dier was  leaving,  and  inquired  if  he 
wanted  to  see  his  father.  He  was  told 
that  he  did.  "Wait,"  said  Willie: 
"father  lilces  to  see  soldiers."  And, 
running  awav  to  the  upper  room,  he 
soon  returned,  and  conducted  the  sol- 
dier to  the  presence  of  his  father.  Mr. 
Smith  and  his  associates  from  Wiscon- 
sin bad  a  pleasant  conversation  with 
the  President,  one  in  which  Mr.  Lin- 
coln took  more  than  ordinary  interest, 
remarking  that  it  was  a  treat  to  meet 
and  converse  with  men  who  were  not 
oflice-seekers. 

Mr.  Smith  was  re-elected  to  the  State 
senate  in  the  fall  of  1863,  in  the  dark 
d.iys  of  the  war.  On  this  occasion  he 
rendered  valuable  service  on  the  finance 
committee,  doing  all  he  could  in  every 
word  and  work  to  sustain  the  National 
Government.  In  the  fall  of  1805  he  was 
elected  State  treasurer,  succeeding  Mr. 
Hastings.  He  brought  his  previous 
business-habits  to  the  ofllce,  giving  his 
personal  attention  to  every  department 
of  business,  consulting  the  interests  and 
conveniences  of  the  people  in  every  act. 
He  was  not  only  an  efficient  and  honest 
state  treasurer,  but  courteous  and  obli- 
ging. He  was  renominated  to  the  same 
position  in  1807,  receiving  the  unani- 
mous vote  of  the  convention  in  token 
of  approval.  At  the  State  convention 
in  1800,  he  was  third  on  the  ilepublican 
list  of  nominees  presented  for  governor. 
The  same  fall,  in  company  with  con- 


gressman Hopkins  and  others,  ho  made 
a  journey  to  Salt  Lake  and  California, 
visiting  the  noteworthy  wonders  of  that 
region. 

At  the  close  of  his  senatorship,  on  the 
first  of  June,  1870,  he  decided  to  take  a 
general  rest  from  busy  life,  and  travel 
abroad.  Accordingly,  he  set  sail  for 
Europe,  landing  in  England  after  a 
brief  passage.  He  proceeded  thence  to 
the  Continent,  taking  in  the  capitals 
and  principal  cities  of  all  the  great 
countries  of  Central  Europe,  including 
a  visit  to  Vesuvius,  Pompeii,  Lake 
Como,  and  the  Alps,  and  the  provinces 
of  the  Rhine.  He  also  visited  many  of 
the  great  cathedrals,  museums,  water- 
ing-places, galleries  of  art,  &c.  Those 
interested  in  crowned  heads  will  be  in- 
terested to  know  that  he  saw  William 
at  Ems,  Emanuel  at  Florence,  Joseph 
at  Vienna,  Napoleon  at  Paris,  and  Vic- 
toria at  London.  Mr.  Smith  says  that 
neither  of  the  flrst  three  was  attended 
by  any  fuss  of  parade,  or  insignia  of 
rank.  The  latter  two  were  seen  in 
open  carriages,  with  escorts  on  their 
way  to  Buckingham  Palace  and  St. 
Cloud.  At  Florence  he  was  enabled 
to  attend  t'^e  House  of  Deputies,  then 
in  session;  biid  at  Paris,  attended  by 
Ex-Gov.  James  T.  Lewis  of  Wiscon- 
sin, he  was  admitted  to  the  diplo- 
matic gallery  of  the  senate  and  corpa 
legialatif,  through  the  courtesy  of  Min- 
ister Washburn,  where  he  had  the  good 
fortune  to  hear  M.  Thiers,  Gambetta, 
and  Jules  Favre,  and  other  celebrities, 
who  became  prominent  soon  after  In 
the  Franco-Prussian  war.  While  in 
London,  he  had  the  satisfaction  of 
hearing  Gladstone  and  Disraeli  in  par- 
liament, Spurgeon  at  the  Tabernacle, 
and  Newman  Hall  at  Surrey  Chapel. 
He  spent  several  weeks  in  London, 
studying  its  institutions,  and  visiting 
its  places  of  historic  renown.  From 
London,  he  passed  to  the  great  manu- 
facturing districts,  visiting  the  home 
of  Shakspeare,  and  subsequently  the 
homes  oi  Scott  and  Burns,  not  for- 
getting his  own  native  home  among 
the  Aberdeen  Highlands.  After  a 
brief  but  interesting  tour  through 
Wales  and  Ireland,  lie  embarked  at 
Queenstown  for  New  York,  where  he 
arrived  with  invigorated  health,  after 
six  months'  absence. 

During  his  stay  in  the  Old  World, 
he  was  a  faithful  student;  and  ho  re- 
turned to  his  home  in  America,  not 
only  prepared  to  love  it  more,  but 
better  qualified  to  discharge  his  duties 
as  an  active  citizen  and  public  officer. 


754 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


Immediately  after  his  return  to  Fox 
Lake,  he  wa«  re-elected  to  the  State 
legislature,  —  the  same  position  which 
he  held  twenty  years  heforo.  At  the 
meeting  of  the  legislature,  he  was 
elected  speaker,  receiving  the  united 
Republican  vote.  The  session  was  a 
memorable  one,  as  will  be  found  by 
turning  to  its  history  in  anotiier  place 
in  this  volume.  Kxciting  questions 
were  considered,  and  pressed  to  con- 
clusion; but,  thro'-ghout  this  stormy 
session,  not  a  word  of  complaint  was 
heard  as  to  the  course  of  the  speaker, 
nor  was  a  single  appeal  taken  from  his 
ruling.^.  At  the  close  of  the  session,  he 
received  the  heartfelt  thanks  of  both 
parties.  In  1872  Mr.  Smith  removed 
to  Milwaukee,  and  In  company  with 
J.  A.  Roundy,  a  man  of  large  means, 
and  Sydney  Sauxhaust,  established  a 
wliolesale  grocery  bouse,  where  he  still 
resides. 

We  have  no  space  In  this  book  to 
enumerate  all  the  offices  of  public  trust 
in  connection  with  the  State  govern- 
ment, and  State  institutions  of  educa- 
tion, in  which  Mr.  Smith  l-as  served, 
lie  is  now  connected,  in  some  official 
capacity,  with  the  Wisconsin  Female 
Coilego  at  Fox  Lake,  Wayland  Uni- 
versity (Beaver  Dam),  Milwaukee 
Female  College,  Chicago  University, 
and  the  State  Normal  schools.  He  is 
also  one  of  the  State  Prison  directors ; 
is  trustee,  and  one  of  the  executive 
committee,  of  the  North-western  Mu- 
tual Life-insurance  Company ;  and  vice- 
pre!<ideut  of  the  Milwaukee  Chamber 
of  Commerce;  and  one  of  the  vice- 
presidents  of  the  National  Board  of 
Trade.  And  thus  we  might  go  on  to 
name  institutions  of  learning,  or  cor- 
porations of  industry,  which  he  is 
either  now  or  has  been  officially  con- 
nected with. 

From  1850  to  1805  ho  gave  consider- 
able attention  to  agricultural  pursuits. 
Ho  owned  and  lived  upon  a  large  farm 
adjoining  the  town  of  Fox  Lake,  per- 
sonally supervising  it,  and  in  harvest- 
time  usually  took  an  active  place  in 
the  field,  assisting  with  his  own  hands. 
He  usually  raised  from  one  to  two 
thousand  "bushels  of  wheat  annually, 
besides  other  produce.  In  his  business 
relations,  which  have  been  alike  ex- 
tensive and  important,  he  has  come  in 
direct  connection  with  the  laboring 
and  producing  class,  and  has  always 
enjoyed  their  lull  confidence.  He  has 
been  peculiarly  successful  in  all  elec- 
tion contests  in  whicli  he  has  engaged, 
never  failing  to  receive  not  only  the 


full  vote  of  hU  party,  but  the  support 
of  Indo'pcndent  thinkers. 

In  1875  Mr.  Smith  took  an  extensive 
tour  through  the  Southern  States,  visit- 
ing Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Mississippi, 
Louisiana,  Alabama,  and  Georgia.  He 
met  and  conversed  freely  with  many 
prominent  men  of  that  section,  of  both 
political  parties,  and  obtained  much 
valuable  information  respecting  the 
educational,  social,  and  political  condi- 
tion of  that  part  of  the  nation. 

Mr.  Smith  is  now  in  the  prime  of 
life,  with  every  faculty  unimpaired. 
Few  men  In  Wisconsin  have  had  a 
more  marked  and  diversified  experi- 
ence :  few  liave  so  fully  inspired  jiublic 
confidence;  none  can  present  a  more 
unspotted  public  or  private  record. 
He  has  been  generous  to  others,  but 
true  to  himself.  Many  a  young  man 
lias  been  assisted  by  his  tone  of  en- 
couragement, and  many  a  poor  man 
lias  profited  by  his  private  beneficence. 
In  every  pursuit  he  has  been  success- 
ful :  in  whatever  position  he  has  been 
placed,  he  has  fully  sustained  the  con- 
fidence of  the  people.  A  few  days 
previous  to  the  Republican  State  Con- 
vention of  1876,  there  was  a  spontane- 
ous movement  throughout  the  State, 
urging  the  use  of  his  name  as  a  can- 
didate for  governor.  He  made  no 
effort  personally,  but  informc'.  his 
friends,  that,  if  nominated,  he  would 
accept.  He  refused  to  enter  into  any 
contest,  but  left  the  matter  with  his 
party.  While  there  appeared  to  be 
nearly,  if  not  quite,  a  majority  favor- 
able to  his  nomination,  he  decided  not 
to  be  a  candidate,  in  order  to  secure 
hannony  In  the  convention.  Such  an 
expression  in  his  favor,  without  a 
single  effort  on  his  part,  is,  inHopil, 
flattering. 

Hon.  Fbasklin  J.  Blair.  —  He 
was  bom  in  Blandford,  Mass.,  in  1816. 
The  youngest  child  and  only  son  of 
his  parents,  Mr.  Blair  came  upon  the 
stage  just  at  a  time  when  his  father 
lost  all  his  property  through  having 
become  security  for  s  merchant.  The 
final  result  of  this  misfortune  was  a 
gradual  transfer  of  the  whole  family 
to  Northern  Ohio.  The  memory  of 
the  sad  effects  of  this  act  of  generosity 
has  served  to  make  Mr.  Blair  careful 
through  all  his  mercantile  life  to  pro- 
tect the  interests  of  farmers. 

One  of  the  older  sisters,  afterwards 
Mrs.  Faircbiid,  having  gone  to  Ohio  to 
teach,  the  rest  of  the  family  gradually 
followed  her,  this  only  brother  arriving 
in  Cleveland  in  1837,  at  the  age  of 


BIBTORT  OF  WTSCOKSIN. 


755 


twenty-two.  After  teaching  Rcvonil 
years,  lie  removed  to  Milwaukee  In 
1843,  where  ho  began  the  small  trade 
which  gradually  grew  Into  a  wholesale 
business,  increasing  every  year  till  it 
reached  its  present  proportions.  Care- 
ful, watchful,  and  prudent  in  busi- 
ness, he  has  been  generous  and  public- 
spirlti'd  in  dispensing  his  gains,  more 
frequently  benclltlng  quietly  those 
Willi  whom  he  came  In  personal  con- 
tact than  giving  his  name  to  widoly- 
kniiwn  ivnd  high-sounding  charities, 
—  educating  orphans,  aiding  Iionest 
industry,  and  making  homes  for  the 
unfortunate. 

Always  active  in  politics,  even  to 
indefatigable  attention  to  primary 
niocliiigs,  he  yet  Xia,-*  never  had  am- 
bition for  offlee.  lie  was  an  active 
Democrat  tintil  the  Kansas  crisis,  and 
since  then  has  been  strongly  Kepubli- 
can. 

His  Scotch  tenacity  of  purpose,  and 
unimpeachable  integrity,  have  caused 
him  to  bo  pressed  into  constant  service 
in  fiositions  of  trust  and  responsibility. 
As  trustee,  director,  executor  of  wills, 
and  administrator  of  estates,  his  keen 
good  sense  and  kind  heart  have  been 
constantly  drawn  upon.  Ho  has  been 
many  years  a  member  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  State  Hospital  for  the 
Insane  at  Madison ;  and  no  pressure  of 
his  own  personal  affairs  has  ever  bceii 
permittecl  to  prevent  him  from  giving 
it  all  needed  time  and  his  best  thought. 

He  is  a  director  of  the  North-western 
Fire-insurance  Company,  a  member  of 
tlie  Lake  Board  of  Underwriters,  Treas- 
urer of  State  Agricultural  Society, 
was  for  several  years  president  of  the 
Merchants'  Association  in  Milwaukee, 
.and  in  these  and  other  positions  is 
faithful  .md  unsparing  iu  the  perform- 
ance of  duty. 

He  was  married  In  184(1,  and,  while 
giving  himself  unreservedly  to  every 
outside  duty  that  came  to  him,  his 
crowning  merit  and  happiness  have 
been  his  cheerful  kindness  and  devo- 
tion to  his  home. 

Alonzo  WrifO.  —  He  wa8  born  in 
Wayne,  Kennebec  County,  Me.,  Feb. 
2,  1807,  son  of  Aaron  and  Silvina  Perry 
Wing,  who  emigrated  from  Sandwich, 
Mass.,  to  the  wilderness  of  Maine  be- 
fore majority.  He  was  brought  up  on 
a  farm,  and  taught  school  in  winters. 
Later  he  entered  Waterville  College  to 
learn  mechanics  and  civil  engineering. 
In  18,37  he  came  to  Milwaukee,  and 
from  there  to  Watertown  and  Aztalan, 
iu  Jefferson  County,     This  was    en- 


tirely a  wild  country  at  that  time,  there 
being  only  a  few  log-houses  between 
Milwaukee  and  these  places.  In  1841, 
he  opened  a  store  at  Summit  Corners, 
Waukesha  County,  and,  the  year  f(d- 
lotting,  removed  iiis  goods  to  JefTer- 
son,  where  ho  had  built  a  small  but 
convenient  store,  the  first  ever  erected 
in  that  place.  Soon  after  this,  while 
on  a  visit  to  his  native  State,  he  w!is 
married  to  Miss  Jane  A.  Underwood, 
dau!,'htcr  of  Hon.  Joseph  II.  Under- 
wocjiil  of  Fayette,  Jle.  The  children 
from  this  union  were  a  daughter  .ind 
son.  The  daughter  died  in  Infancy. 
The  son,  Howard  Alonzo,  is  living,  not 
yet  liaviiig  arrived  at  the  age  of  matu- 
rity, Mr,  Wing  was  one  of  the  first 
movers  towards  getting  a  railroad  char- 
tered and  built  to  give  the  people  in 
this  section  an  outlet  to  some  market. 
After  failing  to  enlist  the  business-men 
of  Milwaukee  in  this  enterprise,  steps 
were  immediately  taken  to  get  com- 
munication with  Chicago  and  St.  Louis, 
which  resulted  in  chartering  a  com- 
pany, which  was  not  long  aiter  com- 
pleted, and  now  known  as  "The  Chi- 
cago and  North-western  Railroad,"  — 
one  of  the  most  important  to  the  StJite. 
In  politics,  Mr.  Wing  was  originally  a 
Uemocriit,  and  a  follower  of  Uougl.as; 
but,  when  the  nation's  life  was  threat- 
ened, he  joined  the  Republican  party, 
and  voted  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  In 
matters  of  religion,  Mr.  Wing  holds 
to  the  Unitarian  faith.  He  has  alw.ays 
manifested  the  deepest  interest  in  the 
cause  of  common  schools.  He  has 
served  many  years  as  town  superin- 
tendent of  schools ;  divided  the  town  of 
Jefferson  into  school-districts,  and  in- 
troduced the  first  code  under  the  State 
constitution.  He  was  also  county  su- 
perintendent of  schools,  and  hitroduced 
the  first  county  code  to  the  schools  in 
Jefferson  County, 

Mr.  Wing  lias  never  m.anifested  any 
great  ambition  for  high  political  hon- 
ors, althougli  he  has  been  called  fre- 
quently to  places  of  considerable  trust 
and  responsibility,  such  as  justice  of 
the  peace,  plank-road  director  and  en- 
gineer, county  8ur\'eyor,  and  surveyor 
of  school  and  university  lands,  railroa<l 
director,  chairman  of  the  boanl  super- 
visors, member  of  the  assembly,  and 
regent  of  the  State  University.  He 
has  been  pretty  well  satisfied  with  his 
lot  in  the  world,  and  is  content  to  make 
himself  and  others  as  comfortable  as 
circumstances  will  permit. 

Ho.v.  Edwin  Huklbut.  —  He  was 
born  in  Newtown,  Conn.,  Oct.  10, 1817. 


7S6 


aiBTORY  OF  WISCONSIN 


When  about  leven  years  of  ago,  hn 
removed  with  his  parcntH  to  Briidford 
County,  PcnnHylvuiiia.  After  passing 
about  seven  years  at  liome  in  tills  place, 
and  attending  public  school,  lie  struck 
out  on  his  own  account,  walking  all 
the  way  to  Newark,  N.J. ;  at  which 
place  lie  lived  one  year  with  an  nncle. 
Soon  after,  he  emlgratetl  to  MIchlgnn 
with  acquaintances,  and  settled  in 
Eaton  County.  After  a  brief  residence 
In  MItdilgan,  ho  returned  to  the  east, 
speudin!;  some  time  In  the  study  of 
law.  Ho  was  married,  Oct.  10,  184(),  to 
Catherine  Cliandlcr  of  Senoca  Cojinty. 
After  this,  he  settled  in  Lodl,  N.Y. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-four  years,  lie 
had  saved  from  bis  eiiridngs  fourteen 
hundred  dollars,  and  paid  twelve  hun- 
dred dollars  of  it  for  a  residence,  and 
the  balance  for  books;  but  was  sadly 
surprised  when  he  found  there  was  a 
morlp  ""  n  the  property.  After 
this,  ■  'ed  to  Towanda,  Penn., 

and  CO  'd  the  study  and  practice 

of  lav  iftcr  finishing  his  sixth 

year,  in  Vul  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 
In  the  same  year  he  returned  to  Michi- 
gan; was  admitted  to  practise  at  the 
bar.  and  received  the  appointment  of 
postmaster;  was  also  appointed  dis- 
trict attorney;  also  received  from  Gov. 
Kanson  the  appointment  of  judge-a<lvo- 
cate  in  the  State  militia,  with  the  rank 
of  colonel.  In  1850  ho  came  to  Wis- 
consin, and  settled  In  Oconomewoc, 
where  ho  has  since  resided,  and  was 
admitted  in  the  Circuit  Court,  also  in 
the  Supreiile  Court  and  United  States 
Court.  In  the  first  year  of  bis  resi- 
dence in  this  State,  he  was  appointed 
the  attorney  of  tlie  Milwaukee,  Water- 
loo, and  Madison  I'iank  Koad ;  and,  at 
another  time,  chairman  of  the  Demo- 
cratic county  committee,  actively  op- 
posing Andrew  E.  Elmore,  and  sup- 
porting Cliaries  Dirkoy,  in  the  congres- 
sional contest.  The  same  year  he  was 
no  less  active  in  helping  to  establish 
a  division  of  Sons  of  Temperance, 
and  filled  some  of  the  highest  ofllces 
connected  therewith.  In  i8.>4  he  was 
chairman  of  the  senatorial  and  assem- 
bly committee,  from  which  time  he  has 
figured  conspicuously  in  the  political 
Bttairs  of  the  State.  In  Madison,  at 
the  people's  conventhm,  where  the 
Republican  party  of  this  State  was  or- 
ganized, he  opposed  the  further  exten- 
sion of  slavery.  In  1856  he  was  elected 
district  attorney.  In  1858  was  ajv 
pointed  attorney  for  the  Milwaiikee, 
Beaver  Dam,  and  Barraboo  Railroad 
(now   C,    M.,    and  St.    P.),    then  a 


branch  road  from  Milwaukee  to  Wafer- 
town  and  Columbus,  holding  the  posi- 
tion several  years.  In  1801)  and  1804, 
supported  Lincoln  for  the  Presidency. 
In  1801  was  appointed  cohmel  on 
Oov.  liandall's  staff;  took  an  active 
part  in  getting  recruits  for  the  anny, 
contributing  largely  in  bounties  to  the 
families  of  those  who  enlisted,  and 
pledged  his  sei'vices  gratuitously  for 
procuring  their  pensions  and  boun- 
ties, —  a  pledge  which  he  has  faitbfuily 
kept.  He  was  sent  to  Washington 
with  the  Fourth  Wisconsin  Regiment, 
receiving  an  appointment  in  the  State 
commissary  department:  was  appoint- 
ed to  the  duty  of  inspecting  troops, 
and  studying  the  riualilications  of  offi- 
cers for  promotion.  In  the  same  year 
was  appointed  aide  tD  the  command(;r- 
in-chicf,  with  the  rank  of  colonel,  by 
Gov.  Randall.  In  1802  was  appointed 
deputy  United  States  marshal,  with 
provost-marshal  power  to  issue  passes, 
and  8\iperlntend  military  affairs  in  his 
district;  was  also  tendered  a  position, 
by  tlie  governor,  of  colonel  of  one  the 
regiments,  but  declined,  because  the 
army  was  being  oflicered  by  politicians 
rather  than  soldiers.  In  1808  he 
gained  an  election  to  the  legislature  by 
the  Republicans,  and,  during  his  term 
of  oftlce,  held  several  important  posi- 
tions in  the  house,  among  others,  that 
of  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Fed- 
oral  Relations.  While  there  he  intro- 
duced a  bill  for  the  repeal  of  the  law 
which  deprived  deserters  of  the  right 
of  franchise,  for  wliich  he  received 
censure  by  tlie  Republican  press,  al- 
though ''The  New  York  Tribune" 
commended  him  for  it.  In  1870  was 
appointed  by  Gov.  Fairchild  to  repre- 
sent him  at  the  International  Congress 
on  penitentiary  ancl  reformatory  dis- 
cipline; was  elected  one  of  the  vice- 
presidents.  In  18(19  was  appointed  one 
of  the  managers  of  the  State  Industrial 
School  at  Waukesha.  In  1872  was  ap- 
pointed a  delegate  to  the  International 
Penitentiary  Congress,  in  London, 
Eng.  In  the  same  year  indorsed  the 
nomination  of  Horace  Greeley  for  the 
presidency,  and  has  been  identified 
with  the  Reform  movement  since  then. 
In  187.3  was  elected  district  attorney 
for  Waukesha  County  on  the  Reform 
ticket. 

In  May,  1874,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
National  Prison  Congress,  held  at  St. 
Louis,  and  elected  one  of  its  trustees, 
and  appointed  on  the  committee  on 
Criminal  Law  Reform.  In  1875  was  ap- 
pointed a  member  of  the  board  of  mau- 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


757 


Of^in  of  the  Stnte  Industrial  School  for 
three  years.  IIo  has  bet>n  Uloutifled 
with  the  movement  which  Krantud 
Itoman  Catholic  clergy  the  ri|{ht  uf 
inlnisterinK  to  Huch  of  the  inmates  of 
the  IiKlnstrial  School  as  were  of  their 
own  fullh.  This  year  (1875)  he  has 
been  elected  a  trustee  of  the  National 
Prison  Association  at  New  York,  and 
also  one  of  the  committee  on  dis- 
chiirfjed  convicts.  lie  has  held  the 
positions  of  trustee  and  president  of  tiie 
village  of  Ocouomewoc,  and  has  zeal- 
ously devoted  himself  to  its  prosperity. 

In  religious  belief  he  is  a  liaptist.  Is 
strictly  temperate  in  his  habits.  Is  a 
member  of  Waukesha  Chapter,  No.  37, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  lie  has  cii II- 
dren,  daughters,  now  living.  The  death 
of  Ills  first  wife  occurred  April  (I,  18(14. 
Was  married,  December  following,  to 
Mrs.  M.  II.  Farmer  of  Waukeslia,  Wis. 

Mr.  Ilurlbut  is  a  man  of  positive 
character;  ia  a  self-made  man;  has 
worked  his  own  way  through  life;  i-> 
self-reliant;  as  a  lawyer,  ranks  amon^ 
the  best  talent  In  the  State;  has  an 
extensive  practice  in  the  several  courts 
of  this  State,  and  in  the  United  States 
courts.  In  his  own  county,  there  is 
seldom  a  case  of  importance,  but  what 
he  is  engaged.  Strictly  attentive  to 
business,  he  has  attended  every  ses- 
sion of  tlie  circuit  court  for  Waukesha 
County  for  the  past  twenty-five  years. 

lie  always  acted  witli  the  Democratic 
party  up  to  the  time  of  the  organization 
of  the  Uepublican  party,  and  then  with 
that  party  up  to  1S72,  when  he  joined 
the  Liberal  Movement,  and  went  with 
the  Democratic  and  Liberal  party,  and 
is  now  with  the  Reform  party  of  this 
State. 

KoN.  John  II.  Rounthee.  —  lie  was 
born  near  Jiiimmoth  Cave,  in  Kentucky, 
on  24tli  of  March,  1805.  In  February, 
1824.  he  made  a  trip  on  horseback  from 
Kentucky  to  Montgomery  County,  Illi- 
nois, a  distance  of  three  hundred  miles. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  was 
elected  sheriff  of  Montgomery  County, 
which  office  lie  held  until  1827  ".hen, 
witli  several  others,  he  came  to  the  Ga- 
lena lead-mines  witli  ox-teams,  crossing 
the  Illinois  River  at  wliat  is  iinown  as 
Bardstown.  He  continued  work  in 
these  mines  until  he  with  others  were 
driven  by  the  Indians  to  Galena,  the 
nearest  place  of  safety.  Soon,  Iiow- 
evor,  their  fears  subsided;  and  work 
in  the  mines  was  resumed.  Mr.  Roun- 
tree  settled,  at  this  time,  at  tlie  place 
where  Platteviilo  now  stands;  built  a 
cabin  of  logs  and  bods,  and  prosecuted 


his  mlnlng-opemtlons  with  some  suc- 
cess. In  1828  he  built  the  first  lead 
smelting  furnace  in  tlie  Territory, 
which  now  com|)oses  Grant  County, 
and  continued  the  mining-business  for 
several  years.  In  August,  1M28,  when 
the  general  election  in  Illinois  was  held, 
we  held  un  election  also,  and  voted  fur 
governor,  ami  member  of  Congress.  It 
was  on  this  election  day  that  a  liand- 
to-hand  conflict  took  place  between  the 
Irish  and  the  Americans.  In  October, 
1820,  he  was  appointed  by  Hon.  Lewis 
Cass,  justice  of  the  peace  for  the 
county  of  Iowa.  His  official  duties 
were  not  very  luimerous.  On  the  10th 
of  March,  1829,  Hon.  W.  S.  Uarny,  iJost- 
master-general  of  the  United  States, 
appointed  him  postmaster  at  Platte- 
viile.  In  18;U  a  weekly  mail-route 
was  established  from  Galena  by  Platte- 
viilo, to  Prairie  Du  Cliion. 

In  1832  the  Uiack  Hawk  war  began. 
A  mounted  cavalry  company  was  or- 
ganized and  Mr.  Rountree  was  chosen 
captain.  This  company  composed  a 
part  of  Gen.  Dodge's  squadron. 

In  1835  he,  with  otiiers,  succeeded  in 
erecting  a  comfortable  house,  of  hewed 
logs,  suitable  for  a  school,  and  also  for 
meetings.  Its  cost  was  about  one  hun- 
dred and  ninety-four  dollars.  The  land 
In  the  south-western  part  of  Wisconsin 
was  surveyed  from  1830  to  1832 ;  and  the 
first  land-sale  took  place  at  the  United 
States  Land  Office,  at  Mineral  Point, 
in  18134.  Mr.  ICountree  purchased  the 
lind  where  the  village  of  Piatteville  was 
afterwanls  built.  In  1834,  he  was  con- 
stituted chief  justice  of  the  county 
court  of  Iowa  County,  which  then 
embraced  all  the  south-western  part 
of  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  by  tlie 
governor  of  Michigan  Territory,  to 
which  Wisconsin  was  still  attached. 
Grant  was  organized  in  1837.  Hon.  J. 
II.  Rountree  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  legislative  c(mncil;  and  he  was  a 
meniuer  of  the  council  of  the  first  legis- 
lature that  met  at  Madison,  the  seat  of 
government.  He  served  four  years  as 
a  member  of  the  Territorial  council, 
under  that  election  of  18:]S.  IIo  was 
re-elected  for  four  years  in  1842,  and 
served  the  time  out.  He  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  convention  that 
forincd  our  State  constitution.  He 
Wius  elected  to  the  State  senate  in  1849, 
and  served  two  years;  was  elected  to 
the  assembly  in  1802 ;  was  elected  again 
to  the  State  senate  in  1865,  served  two 
years,  making  a  service  of  eight  years 
in  tlie  Territorial  council,  —  four  years 
as  State  senator,  one  year  as  member  of 


758 


msTORY  OF  wiacosaiN. 


the  onnventloii  that  fonned  tlio  Stiito 
CDiistitutloii,  niul  oim  yciir  u  incnibor 
of  tlio  assoinbly.  Ho  wi»»  a  pionoer 
eettlur  In  tlio  vicinity  wlioro  no  \\u,» 
llveil  forty-olslit  years.  IIo  lian  beoii 
octlve  111  all  tho  oiitprprlscH  wliirli 
pt'riuined  to  tho  welfare  of  tho  Stall', 
and  has  been  pcmiitled  to  witnc^a  tlieii' 
nuccess.  IIo  L'ttii  look  back  to  tho  days 
when  Wisconsin  was  an  unlnhahilod 
wilderness,  without  roads,  biltlgos,  or 
oiiy  conveniences  for  transportaiioii 
whatever,  and  contrast  flio  former  days 
with  tho  present  facilities  for  aarlciii- 
turai  Industry,  and  Intellectual  culture. 
who>e  pursuit  so  profitably  adorns  and 
hentitines  the  Stale.  His  pole  and  .sod 
cabin  of  1S27,  with  niotfier-'Mrtli  for 
tlie  floor,  gives  place  to  a  neat  and 
commodious  house  in  n  flourishing  vil- 
lage of  elegant  buildin(;s,  {I'racrd  with  a 
iiurinal  school  ond  tw-  ivo  church  edi- 
fices. Blessed  with  the  enjoyment  of 
good  health,  the  founder  of  Plattcviile 
Is  enabled  to  look  upon  tho  fruit  of  bis 
labors. 

Hon.  David  Kooole.  —  IIo  wo-s 
born  in  Franklin,  Penn.,  on  tho  0th  of 
October,  18()0.  His  fath(!r  belonged 
to  that  class  known  as  Pennsylvania 
Dutch;  and  his  mother  was  of  Irish 
descent.  At  the  ago  of  sixteen  he 
came  to  Greenfield,  ().,  and,  with  his 
father,  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuily. 
The  hardships  which  he  experienced  at 
this  period  disciplined  him  for  the 
struggles  of  after-life.  Ills  educational 
advantages  were  limited.  A  few  weeks 
only  in  tho  winter  of  each  year  wore 
spent  at  tho  district  school,  where  he 
manifested  a  taste  for  intellectual  pur- 
suits, and,  at  the  age  of  twelve,  ex- 
pressed a  desire  to  reach  tho  legal 
profession;  but,  because  of  the  limited 
means  of  his  parents,  he  received  but 
little  encouragement.  At  the  age  of 
nineteen,  ho  started  in  search  of  more 
remunerative  employment,  in  which 
he  succeeded.  In  18;J.'i  ho  returned  to 
Ohio,  to  his  father  who  was  embar- 
rassed because  of  debt;  whereupon  ho 
and  his  brother  took  the  land,  and 
relieved  their  father  of  further  anxiety. 
In  18.'54  they  improved  a  water-power 
on  tho  farm  by  building  a  mill,  which 
proved  a  grand  success.  On  the  13th 
of  October,  ISiS,  ho  married  Ann  M. 
Lewis  of  Milan,  O.  About  a  year 
afterwards  they  started,  in  company 
with  others,  with  ox-teams  for  Wiime- 
hago  County,  Illinois,  where  they  set- 
tled. His  new  farm  soon  began  to  show 
marks  of  improvement,  while  at  the 
same  time  he  was  looking  forward  with 


hopes  of  entering  tho  legal  profession. 
It  is  >  )d.  that,  during  these  days.  "  ho 
studied  lllackstonc  la  tho  corii-iield," 
which  Is  literally  true;  and,  in  1*18,  ho 
was  adndlted  to  the  bar  by  the  Supremo 
Court  of  Illinois,  never  having  s|H>nt  <\ 
day  in  a  law-ottice.  In  IHilU  sold  Ills 
claim,  and  moved  Into  lieloil,  where  ho 
opened  an  ofllc-;,  and  fully  entei-cd  upon 
tho  practice  of  law,  doing  business  In 
Winnebago  ami  Uoone  Counties,  Illi- 
nois, and  In  Kock,  Walworth,  .Jefferson, 
and  (ireen,  In  tho  Territory  of  Wlscon- 
siu.  UiselYorti  In  court  proved  hint  to 
b  lan  of  power.  In  IH4lt  he  was  a 
nie.aber  of  tlie  Constitutional  Conven- 
ti'<n  of  Wisconsin;  and  though  young, 
itU'l  inexperienced  in  legislation,  w.is 
soon  recognized  among  the  leailors  of 
that  body.  He  stooiT  with  tho  pro- 
gressive element  of  the  convention.  In 
fa'or  of  homest<!ad  exemption,  elective 
judiciary,  the  rights  of  married  women, 
and  opposed  to  banks  and  banking.  In 
18.")4  lie  was  a  member  of  the  legisla- 
ture of  Wisconsin  from  tho  Jancsville 
District,  having  some  years  before  re- 
movcil  to  that  city:  bo  at  once  took  a 
prominent  and  leading  position  in  the 
legislature.  In  185(1  no  was  again 
elected  to  the  legislature,  and  was 
tendered  the  speakership  of  the  assem- 
bly by  more  than  a  majority  of  that 
body ;  but  being  compelled,  from  tem- 
porary lameness,  to  go  on-  crutches, 
which  would  greatly  Inconvenience 
him  in  discharging  the  duties  of  u 
presiding  ofllcer,  ho  declined  the  offer. 
IIo  was  emphatically  the  loader  of  the 
houso  In  this  legislature,  and  in  the 
contest  for  the  election  of  United 
Stales  senator,  in  which  the  Hon.  J. 
U.  DooHttle  was  first  chosen.  In  1838, 
he  was  judge  of  tho  first  judicial  dis- 
trict of  Wisconsin,  composed  of  tho 
counties  of  Kenosha,  Itacine,  Walworth, 
Kock,  and  Green.  He  discharged  his 
duties  with  very  great  acceptability. 
After  he  retired  from  the  bench  Jn 
18(16,  he  i-esided  in  Iowa  for  some 
time,  where  he  was  engaged  as 
attorney  for  the  Milwaukee  and  St. 
Paul  Kailroad  Company;  after  which 
he  returned  to  Belolt,  where  he  pur- 
chased an  elegant  home,  and  built  up 
a  lucrotlve  practice.  In  1869  he  was 
appointed  by  Pres.  Grant  as  chief 
justice  of  the  Territory  of  Idalio, 
which  position  he  hold  until  1874, 
when,  from  failing  health,  be  was 
obliged  to  resign  his  ])osition.  He  Is 
at  present  residing  with  his  family  in 
San  Francisco,  Cal. 
Judge  Nogglo  is  a  man  of  command- 


BISTORT  OF  W I  SCON  8  IN. 


759 


tng  apppsrnticR  ;  Is  a  flno  ami  Impres- 
tivo  public  fpoaker,  pooteMetl  nf  great 
mental  ability:  he  only  needed  the 
advantages  of  early  training  to  have 
given  lilm  a  national  reputation.  Few 
young  men  liave  improved  tlieir  oppor- 
tunities butter  than  ho.  lie  Ih  kind  and 
generou!)  hearted,  a  man  of  the  |)eo- 
ple,  brave  in  their  defence,  regardlc^H  of 
coiiHoquence!*  to  himself.  lie  h  tender- 
ly loved  by  his  family ;  and  in  the  hearts 
of  bis  old  neighbors  In  .Southern  Wis- 
consin, there  linger  for  him  feelings 
of  fondnivHS  and  regard  which  many 
years  will  not  efface. 

His  name  Is  Indlssolubly  connected 
with  the  history  and  nrn'jrcss  of  Wis- 
consin. 

lIoM.  Jerome  B.  IlAniiisoN.  —  lie 
was  borii  May  22,  1820,  in  Friendidiip, 
Alleghany  County,  N,y,  After  obtain- 
ing a  common  school  education,  In  1843 
he  entered  Alfred  Academy,  which  has 
since  become  a  flourishing  university. 
During  the  three  foHowing  years,  he 
spent  the  time  In  teaching,  and  study- 
ing law.  In  1851  he  was  elected  oupcr- 
intendetit  of  schoois  In  his  own  town. 
The  next  year  was  elected  town  repre- 
sentative for  the  county  board  of  super- 
visors ;  was  8ub.sc(|uently  twice  elected 
to  the  same  position.  He  held  the  ofllcc 
of  justice  from  1800  until  18(!2,  when 
he  moved  to  Wisconsin.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one  was  married  to  Sarah  A. 
Stoweil.  Shortly  after  this  he  united 
with  his  father-in-law  In  the  flour  and 
lumber  business,  until  he  moved  to 
this  State,  He  has  been  frequently 
called  to  positions  of  trust  and  honor 
by  his  fellow-citizens.  In  1872  he  was 
the  candidate  of  the  Democratic  party 
for  the  assembly,  but  was  defeated  by 
Hon.  O.  A.  Cady  of  the  Kepublican 
party. 

In  1873  he  was  elected  county  judge, 
which  position  he  occupies  in  an  able 
manner.  Although  he  has  not  here- 
tofore practised  in  the  profession,  Is  a 
lawyer,  and  a  member  of  the  bar  of  the 
Seventh  Judicial  Circuit.  He  Is  a  pleas- 
ant and  interesting  public  speaker. 

Hon.  Hugh  Macfaki.ane.  —  He 
was  bom  in  IMumbridge  County,  Ire- 
land, Juno  22,  1816.  His  father  was  a 
descendant  of  the  old  Earls  of  Lenox, 
of  Scotland,  who  pledged  to  defend  the 
Crown  and  the  Bible.  He  was  given 
the  opportunities  for  securing  a  classi- 
cal education,  but  being  married,  in 
his  nineteenth  year,  to  Sarah  Dunn,  his 
progress  in  study  was  prevented.  Soon 
after  marriage,  he  came  to  this  country, 
making  a  voyage  of  thirteen  weeks, 


after  which  they  landed  at  Philadelphia 
In  July,  1833.  SImrtiy  afterwards  he 
started  for  the  lead-mines  of  Mineral 
I'oint,  Wis. ;  built  a  house,  and  Iwgan 
M|ieratlons,  whlcli  were  continued  for 
Mix  years,  when  he  went  to  Portage 
County,  and  built  bridges  across 
streams  and  swamps  to  get  there,  and 
invested  all  his  means  in  the  lumber- 
ing business.  In  1840  he  moved  to 
Portage  City,  where  he  was  succt^ssful 
in  accumulating  wealth.  In  1854  be 
subscribed  to  tlio  capital  stock  of  La 
Crosse  and  Itlilwaukeo  Kailroail  to  the 
amount  of  thirty  thousand  dollars  in 
cash,  and  was  swindled  out  of  the  w  i  >|i 
amount.  In  1850  he  tnovcd  on  to  his 
farm  in  Arlhigton,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. Ills  wife  died  Julv  14,  1SU2, 
Tliey  had  eight  children.  In  1S(I3,  ho 
was  married  to  Ann  C,  Wells,  by  whom 
he  has  two  children.  He  never  was  an 
oRlce-seeker,  though  frequently  called 
to  honorable  and  responsible  positions 
by  the  people.  As  to  rcliginus  nrinci- 
pics,  he  has  ever  been  strictly  Protest- 
ant, and  is  a  member  of  the  Pr(;tcstant- 
Episcopal  Church.  Politically  ho  is 
Democratic.  Ho  belongs  to  several 
secret  societies,  including  the  F:  ^e 
Masons.  Ho  has  been  liberal  toward 
all  societies  of  reform,  especially  to- 
ward all  religious  denominations.  He 
and  wife  organized  the  first  sabbath 
school  ever  kept  at  Portage  City;  she 
collecting  money  from  the  raftsmen 
on  the  VVIsconslu  River  with  which  to 
purchase  books.  In  1840  ho  built  the 
first  schoolhouse  at  his  own  ex|)ense. 
His  home  was  for  missionaries  of  all 
denominations:  from  none  was  the 
latch-string  ever  drawn  in.  At  this 
period  of  life  he  can  look  over  the 
past,  not  without  flnding  imperfec- 
tions, but  in  every  case  marked  with 
good  intentions,  clearly  evidencing  the 
fact  tliat  the  tenor  of  bis  life  was  to 
benefit  his  fellow-men, 

Amzi  StLSUEE.  —  He  was  horn  in 
Pittston,  Penn.,  June  1,  1800.  His  op- 
portunities for  securing  an  education 
were  limited;  the  school  being  three 
miles  distant,  and  very  poor  besides. 
His  father  died  when  he  was  thirteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  learn 
the  blacksmith-trade  in  Wilkesbarre. 
In  1800  he  moved  to  Starkey,  and 
married  Kezlah  Babcock  in  1821. 
Worked  at  his  trade  then  one  year,  and 
In  the  viiiago  of  Dundee  eleven  years. 
Bought  a  farm  near  village,  and  resid- 
ed on  It  ten  years.  In  1842  he  became 
security  for  a  stock  of  goods  which  was 
purchased  by  his  son.    The  goods  were 


760 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


burned ;  and  he  was  obliged  to  sell  the 
farm  for  about  half  Its  value  to  meet 
the  demand ;  and  after  parting  with  all 
his  effects,  except  a  team,  harness,  and 
wagon,  he  was  still  in  debt  four  hun- 
dred and  sixty  dollars.  With  the  team 
he  came  to  Wisconsin  in  the  spring  of 
1844,  and  settled  on  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  land  in  Columbia  County, 
and  |i:iid  the  four  hundred  and  sixty 
dollars  and  interest  in  about  four  years. 
In  this  transaction  we  see  the  noble 
traits  of  his  unblemished  character: 
wo  see  the  man  through  all  the  change- 
ful years  of  his  life,  reliable,  punctual, 
and  honest  to  the  last  cent.  He  could 
have  easily  avoided  paying  the  money ; 
but  he  was  too  noble,  too  conscientious 
to  do  80,  —  too  honest  and  good  to  fall 
to  pay  any  real  claim  where  the  pay- 
ment was  within  his  poM'er.  Hence 
the  thousands  of  dollars  which  he  has 
earned  and  enjoyed  since  that  day 
have  been  a  peaceful  possession;  and 
the  competency  now  in  hand  for  old 
age  is  a  matter  of  gratitude  to  him,  as 
well  as  a  result  of  industry  and  hon- 
esty. In  1840  his  wife  died;  and  in 
1848,  he  married  Mrs.  Sophia  Lyon  of 
Lowell;  but  she,  too,  died  in  1850;  and 
he  married  his  present  esteemed  aiid 
worthy  companion  (formerly  Mrs.  Ruth 
Johnson  of  Madison)  in  1802.  Thus 
like  a  bark  on  the  billows  has  this  vet- 
eran been  carried  by  the  tide  of  years, 
until  now  the  headlands  of  the  after- 
world  appear  o»-  the  verge  oi  the  hori- 
zon, and  the  home  of  rest  appears  in 
sight. 

Gen.  Ebastcs  B.  Wolcott,  M.D. 
—  He  was  born  at  Benton,  Yates 
County,  N.Y.,  Oct.  18,  1804.  His 
parents  came  from  Lltchfleld,  Conn., 
and  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 
that  State.  Dr.  Wolcott  is  a  lineal 
descendant  of  Henry  Wolcott,  Esq., 
who  came  from  England  to  America 
In  1030.  lie  was  the  first  magistrate 
in  Connecticut;  and  among  liis  de- 
scendants were  numbered  three  gov- 
ernors of  the  State.  It  Is  a  fact,  that 
both  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wolcott  number 
among  their  ancestors  signers  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence.  Dr. 
Wolcott  Inherits  no  taint  of  blood. 
He  commenced  the  study  of  medicine 
and  surgery  in  1822  with  Dr.  Joshua 
Lee,  an  eminent  surgeon  in  New  York, 
and  received  his  diploma  of  Yates 
County  Medical  Society  in  1825.  For 
four  years  he  attended  the  Medical 
College  at  Western  New  York,  where 
lie  took  his  degree  in  medicine  and 
(urgcry.     In  1835  he  was   appointed 


surgeon  in  the  United-States  army.  In 
18SiQ  married  Elizabeth  J.  Densman, 
who  died  in  the  autumn  of  1800,  leav- 
ing two  children,  who  were  highly 
educated.  He  was  made  colonel  in 
1840,  and  in  the  same  year  major- 
general  of  the  First  Division  Wiscon- 
sin Militia,  and  surgeon-general  of  the 
State  militia  as  early  as  1842,  by  Gov. 
Doty.  He  was  appointed  regent  of 
the  Wisconsin  State  University  in  1850 
by  Gov.  Dewey,  and  trustee  of  the 
State  Hospital  for  the  Insane  in  1800 
by  Gov.  Randall,  holding  the  same 
through  subsequent  administrations. 
He  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Fairchild, 
in  1800,  commissioner  to  represent  the 
State  of  Wisconsin  at  the  Universal 
Exposition  at  Paris  in  1807,  and  ap- 
pointed by  United  States  Congress, 
the  same  year  (1800),  manager  of  the 
National  Home  for  Disabled  Volunteer 
Soldiers,  which  position  he  still  retains. 
Ill  Oct.  12,  1800.  he  was  married  to 
Laura  J.  Ross,  M.U.,  whose  ancestors 
may  be  traced  back  to  the  Revolution- 
ary history,  among  the  leading  mindi 
in  the  support  of  national  independ- 
ence. She  was  thoroughly  educated 
in  the  best  schools,  and  by  the  ablest 
teachers  In  New  England,  and  was  one 
of  the  first  women  who  took  the  degree 
of  M.D.  in  this  country.  Dr.  Wolcott 
has  been  connected  with  some  of  tlie 
early  enterprises  of  the  Territory  and 
State,  the  meanwhile  pursuing  his 
profession.  He  is  a  man  of  excellent 
physical  health,  which,  in  a  large 
measure,  may  be  attributed  to  his 
early  good  training  and  temperate 
habits.  His  reputation  has  grown 
from  a  skilful,  unostentatious  dis- 
charj^e  of  every  professiunal  duty; 
meeting  emergencies  with  decision 
and  firmness,  resulting  from  a  clear 
understanding  of  what  can  and  ought 
to  be  done,  with  the  conscious  ability 
to  do  whatever  may  be  required;  al- 
ways regarding  respectfully  the  opin- 
ions of  authors  and  associates,  but 
bound  by  neither  when  his  own  ex- 
perience and  judgment  indicate  a 
better  course.  As  a  physician  and 
surgeon,  he  stood  with  the  first  class 
of  the  profession.  A  physician  in- 
timately acquainted  with  the  doctor 
begs  to  offer  as  follows,  what  ho 
deems  as  a  matter  of  justice  to  him ; 
viz.,  "That  he  possesses,  in  an  emi- 
nent degree,  the  qualities  too  often 
wanting  in  medical  men;  viz.,  he  is 
perfectly  honorable  and  gentlemanly 
m  his  conduct  toward  his  professional 
brethren  of  all   schools  of   practice, 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


761 


and  is  exceedingly  considerate  i»nd 
liberal  toward  his  patients  pecuniarily. 
When  he  dies,  no  human  being  can  say 
he  distressed  me  by  pressing  tlie  pay- 
ment o£  hi^  ivell-earned  fees.  Many  a 
physican  would  become  rich  on  tlie 
debts  which  he  remits,  when  he  tliinivs 
that  payment  might  not  be  convenient. 
But  tlie  highest  honor  of  Dr.  Wolcott, 
by  which  he  is  >nost  distinguished,  is 
his  eminent  sliill  as  a  surgeon.  His 
superior  has  not  ap|)cared  in  the 
North-west.  During  the  late  war  ho 
visited  almost  every  battletield  where 
Wisconsin  troops  were  engaged;  and 
many  would  have  slept  in  a  Southern 
grave,  had  he  not  heliied  them.  Such 
is  the  man  imperfectly  sketched  in  the 
above,  but  more  perfectly  in  the  hearts 
of  those  who  know  him,  which  is  to 
love  him ;  and  also  in  the  hi'  Ty  of  the 
State  he  holds  a  prominent  position. 

Hon.  Charles  G.  Williams.  — 
He  was  bom  In  Koyalton,  Niagara 
County,  N.Y.,  Oct.  18,  1829.  He  was 
the  youngest  of  ten  children.  His 
first  educational  advantages  were  such 
as  only  a  district  school  afforded,  aid 
which  were  much  broken  in  upon  by 
1!!  health.  He  early  manifested  a 
desire  for  intellectual  pursuits.  Orii- 
tory  was  especially  pleasing  to  him; 
and  in  very  early  life  ho  gained  consid- 
erable reputation  as  a  speaker.  At  the 
age  of  fourteen  he  notified  his  father 
of  his  desire  to  prepare  for  the  legal 
profession.  His  father  planned  ac- 
cordingly, intending  to  give  him  a  full 
course  of  study,  but  died  when  Charles 
w.'is  sixteen  years  of  age,  throwing 
him  upon  his  own  resources  for  the 
future.  By  the  aid  he  received  from 
his  brothers,  and  working  on  the  farm 
during  vacations,  he  acquired  an  aca- 
demic course.  During  this  period  of 
his  life,  he  exercised  rigid  economy, 
and  was  exceedingly  persevering  in 
his  work.  He  commi^iced  i;>e  study 
of  law  with  Judge  Brc  ver,  at  Lock- 

Eort,  N.Y.,  and  proseoiMed  his  work 
y  teaching  portions  of  his  time  in  the 
high  school  of  that  plat  '  In  1852  he 
moved  to  Uoche^ter,  N'.Y.,  where  ho 
completed  his  studies,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  b.ir  in  1S56,  and  where 
he  was  married  to  Lis  first  wife. 
After  tho  end  of  one  year  he  went  to 
Jancsvilie,  Wis.,  where  he  was  aided 
in  hlit  pursuit  by  Judge  Noggle.  Two 
montljs  after  his  arrival,  his  wife  died. 
He  al'terwards  married  the  eldest 
daughter  oi  the  judge.  In  1850  he 
wcs  prominently  brouc;ht  before  the 
public  in  connection  with  the  Fremout 


campaign.  As  an  ardent  nepubllcan, 
he  needed  only  an  opportunity  to  ex- 
press his  mind  on  political  matters, 
and  very  soon  attracted  attention,  and 
took  rank  with  the  first  speakers  of 
tho  North-west.  He  was  engiiged  to 
canvass  the  State,  and  spoke  in  every 
considerable  town  In  Wisconsin.  At 
the  close  of  the  campaign,  the  Milwau- 
kee press  highly  complimented  him, 
both  as  an  orator,  and  a  man  of  abil- 
ity in  the  legal  profession.  In  1808 
he  was  elected  to  the  State  senate,  and 
re-elected  to  the  same  position  in  1870. 
He  was  nominated  by  acclamation,  and 
elected  to  the  Forty-third  Congress  in 
1872,  and  re-elected  in  1874  as  a  moni- 
bor  of  the  Forty-fourth  Congress,  which 
position  he  now  holds.  His  career  in 
Congress  has  been  characterized,  thus 
far,  by  modesty,  caution,  and  great 
industry.  He  has  spoken  but  seldom,  - 
and  has  never  failed  to  elicit  tho 
closest  attention.  "  The  Washington 
Naticmal  Kepublican"  spoke  of  him  at 
the  close  of  the  last  session  as  follows : 
"As  a  new  member  of  tho  house,  ho 
wiis  modest  enough  not  to  attempt  to 
attract  attention;  bu'  when  the  time 
came  for  him  to  take  an  active  part  In 
the  proceedings,  he  not  only  acquitted 
himself  with  extraordinary  creilit,  but 
at  oni'c  asserted  a  prominence  on  tho 
floor  which  was  readily  acknowledged 
by  members  of  both  parties." 

Mr.  Williams  is  a  man  of  firm  decision 
and  good  judgment.  Ho  is  among  the 
first  to  avow  his  position  \ipoii  the  great 
issues  of  the  day.  He  is  now  forty-six 
years  of  age,  In  robust  health,  in  tho 
full  maturity  of  his  powers,  and  believed 
to  have  a  useful  and  brilliant  future  • 
before  him. 

Col.  Samuel  Ryax.  —  lie  was  horn 
in  Tipperarv  Comity,  Ireland,  Mav  22- 
1789.  In  1809,  while  going  to  Eng:'  ., 
he  was  impressed  on  board  the  Briii.;U 
gun-brig  '•  Virago,"  while  In  Queens- 
town.  From  tills  he  was  transferred  to 
tho  frigate  "  Barbadoes,"  one  of  the 
worst  ships  for  usage  in  the  British 
navy.  They  sailed  to  the  West  Indies. 
They  were  ordered  to  convoy  seventy- 
six  sail  of  merchant-ships,  being  as- 
sisted by  tho  "Polyphemus,"  a  sixty- 
four-gun  ship,  to  cross  to  tho  banks  of 
Newfoundland.  They  encountered  a 
terrible  storm,  wlu'u  eighteen  out  of 
tho  soventy-six  sail  were  lost,  and  every 
sail  In  the  fleet  dismasted ;  and  they  put 
into  Bermuda  for  repairs.  After  this 
we  find  him  in  the  war  of  1812,  where 
he  manifested  the  bravery  of  a  true 
soldier.     Peace  being   proclaimed  lu 


762 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSrN. 


1815,  five  hundred  men  were  picked 
out  tor  the  peace  establishment  on 
Lake  Eric,  and  wintered  at  the  mouth 
of  Grand  River,  Canada ;  belonged  to 
tlio  "Ncmash,"  a  Britisli  man-of-war 
Bcliooner.  He,  with  two  otliers,  in  1810, 
made  their  escape  to  the  soil  of  free- 
dom. There  M'ere  about  tliirty  left  of 
the  five  liundred;  all  the  rest  having 
reached  the  land  of  liberty.  He  taugiit 
school  in  Seneca  County,  New  York,  for 
about  two  years;  then  went  to  Ohio, 
and  was  robbed  on  the  road.  He  then 
went  to  Buffalo,  and  joined  tlie  United 
States  army  in  1818.  Five  companies 
of  the  Second  Regiment  of  Infantry, 
of  wliicli  he  was  a  member,  picked 
men,  were  ortlered  to  establish  a  mili- 
tary post  at  tlie  outlet  of  Lake  Superior. 
They  arrived  tliere  in  1822,  and  wore 
three  weeks  under  arms,  day  and  night, 
expecting  an  attack  from  the  Chippewa 
Indians.  Ho  was  called  to  offices  of 
honor  in  the  anny.  He  wiis  raari-ied 
on  tlie  12th  of  June,  1823,  to  Miss 
Martlia  Johnston,  a  native  of  Tyrone 
County,  Ireland.  In  1820  four  com- 
panies, of  which  he  was  a  member, 
were  ordered  to  Green  Bay,  Wis. 
When  his  time  had  expired  in  1828,  he 
was  appointed  as  clerk  in  the  quarter- 
master's department  and  subsistence 
department,  at  Green  Buy,  witli  lucra- 
tive olBees.  In  18:W  Wisconsin  was 
created  a  Territory,  and  he  received  the 
first  commission  from  Gov.  Dodge  for 
justice  of  the  peace  in  the  new  Ter- 
ritory. Prior  and  subsequent  to  that 
period,  he  assisted  in  making  treaties 
and  payments  with  and  to  the  Indians 
several  times ;  wrote,  for  two  years,  in 
the  Indian  department,  theh'  returns 
and  accounts,  for  which  he  cliarged  the 
email  sum  of  four  hundred  dollars,  but 
never  received  a  cent  from  tlie  United 
States  for  it.  In  1830  two  regiments 
of  militia  were  ordered  to  lie  raised  In 
the  Terr;  ry, — the  first  commanded  by 
Col.  Rockwell,  embracing  the  Milwau- 
kee district,  and  the  second  commanded 
by  Col.  Wheclock,  Green  Bay  district, 
of  which  he  was  lieutenant-colonel. 
In  1840  WHS  promoted  to  colonel  of 
the  regiment.  In  1848  ho  was  clerk  in 
the  United  States  Land  Otflco  at  Green 
Bay,  and  conllniiod  as  such  until  1857. 
In  18(11,  when  the  Rebellion  began,  he 
offered  his  ser\lc(>s  to  Gov.  Randall, 
and  raided  a  regiment  of  troops  In  a 
week,  and  drilled  from  the  school  of 
the  soldier  to  the  school  of  the  bat- 
talion. I:i  character  lio  w.is  strictly 
lionnst  and  straightforward  in  nil  deal- 
ings with  hia   iuUow-mcu.     Ho  was 


truly  a  generous-hearted  man  toward 
all  needy  persons.  He  is  a  man  of 
great  courage.  In  religious  belief  he  is 
an  Episcop.tl  Methodist,  having  joined 
tlie  church  in  1821,  and  has  ever  since 
been  a  member. 

Hon.  Asaph  WniTxi.ESEY,  Sejt.  — 
He  was  born  in  New  Preston,  Conn., 
Jan.  4,  1781,  and  was  married  to  Vesta 
Uoiit,  Nov.  20,  1807,  and  moved  to 
Ohio  in  1814,  where  he  died  March  17, 
1842,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years, 
leaving  a  family  of  six  children.  It  is 
said  of  him,  that  on  account  of  his 
reliability,  and  the  maturity  of  his 
judgment,  he  was  consulted  in  all  mat- 
ters relating  to  the  public  business, 
and  to  the  church  and  benevolent  ol>- 
jects  of  the  day ;  would,  with  the  same 
means  and  in  the  same  time,  accom- 
plish more  than  men  generally.  Alwut 
the  time  of  Asaph's  removal  to  Ohio, 
ills  brother  Eltslia  and  family  took  up 
residence  tliere  also,  and  was  from 
1323  to  1830  a  representative  to  Con- 
gress. He  also  held  the  position  of 
auditor  in  the  post-oflSce  department, 
and  was  also  called  to  other  offices  of 
distinction.  It  was  said  of  him  that 
ills  features  bore  the  impress  of  stern 
integrity,  benevolence,  and  morality. 
Of  the  children  of  Asaph  Wliittlesey, 
sen.,  the  eldest  was  a  graduate  of  West 
Point,  has  distinguished  himself  as  a 
lawyer  and  geologist.  He  served  in 
the  Black  Hawk  war  in  18:)2;  was 
appointed,  in  1837,  on  tlie  geoli  gical 
survey  of  Ohio.  In  1801,  wlien  Pros. 
Lincoln's  entrance  to  Washington  was 
threatened,  he  was  one,  witli  others, 
whoso  soi'vices  were  tendered  to  Gen. 
Scott;  was  subsequently  appointed  col- 
onel of  the  Twentieth  Regiment  of  Ohio 
Volunteers;  was  In  the  battle  of  Fort 
Donelson.  The  other  membei-s  of  the 
family  acquitted  themselves  in  a  man- 
ner that  reflected  credit  upon  them- 
selves. Asaph  was  expected  to  remain 
on  the  homestead ;  but  in  1842,  when 
his  father  died,  ho  removed  to  Illinois, 
where  ho  engaged  extensively  in  tiie 
manufacture  of  lard-oil,  candles,  and 
soap,  until  1852,  when  his  factory  was 
destroyed  by  fire.  He  was  married  to 
Miss  Lucy  M.  Haskell  in  1851.  They 
encountered  some  hardships,  but  met 
them  courageously.  In  1850  Mr.  Whit- 
tlesey was  elected  ns  momlM^r  of  the 
assembly.  There  l)olng  no  public  thor- 
oughfare opened  to  the  settled  portions 
of  the  State,  he  perfonned  the  journey 
from  Ashland  to  Chippewa  Falls,  on 
his  way  to  the  legislature,  on  snow- 
shoes,  making  a  distance  of  one  hundred 


BISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


76a 


»nd  eighty  miles'  travel  in  six  days. 
Afti'r  roacliliig  Madison,  he  was  prc- 
vaied  upon  to  have  a  photograph  tal<en, 
liaving  on  Ills  outfit  for  travel,  a  copy 
of  'vliich  may  be  seen  In  the  Capitol. 
In  18(i()  he  was  elected  county  judge 
of  Ashland.  In  1801  Pres.  Lincoln 
apiiiiinted  him  "  Receiver  of  Public 
Money,"  at  Dayfleld.  lie  has  been 
called  to  positions  of  public  trust  and 
honor  by  the  State  and  General  Govern- 
ment, in  ail  of  which  he  has  enjoyed 
the  confidence  of  the  people.  lie  is 
known  as  a  "  man  of  the  people"  in  a 
proper  sense. 

Kev.  Johk  WAi.woBTir.  —  lie  was 
horn  in  Walworth  County,  Wis.,  July 
28,  1804.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he 
was  sent  to  Norwich  for  the  purpose 
of  obtainin.^  an  education,  where  he 
reni.iiiK'tl  about  six  years,  tlien  return- 
ing to  Western  Kew  Yorl<,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  scliool-teaehing,  and 
otlier  literary  pursuits,  for  five  years, 
when  he  emigrated  to  Michigan,  with 
many  otliers,  while  it  was  a  Territory, 
arriving  in  time  to  take  part  in  that 
ludicrous  appeal  to  arms  l)y  Gov.  Mason, 
In  calling  out  the  militia  to  prevent  tlie 
governorotOIiiofrom  taking  possession 
of  a  certain  piece  of  laud  bordering  on 
tlie  Menomonee  River.  He  chose,  for 
his  profession,  the  ministry;  moved  to 
Illinois  in  1842,  and  for  four  years  he 
travelled  as  missionary;  but  the  con- 
stant exposure  to  the  cold  was  uwvo. 
than  lie  could  endure,  and  at  tlie  end  of 
tills  period,  he  found  his  health  some- 
wliat  impaired.  He  belonged  to  no 
deiioniinaticm;  had  no  creed  but  tlie 
Uible,  wlilcli  occasioned  some  fears  on 
the  part  of  the  Orthodox,  lest  he  should 
luiiettle  the  minds  of  tliose  wlio  were 
more  systematical  in  tlieir  views  and 
mmiiicr  of  presentation.  In  1840  he 
located  at  Monroe,  (trrcn  County, 
wliere  he  became  the  editor  and  pro- 
pri('tor  of  "Tlie  Monroe  Sentinel," 
tin-cugh  which  organ  he  aided  in  the 
clfction  of  J.  R.,  Doolitlle  as  circuit 
judge.  At  the  convention  held  at 
Mailisoii,  .July  13,  1854,  wiien  the  Re- 
publican party  was  oi'ganized,  ho  was 
chosen  president  of  the  meeting.  lie 
was  the  first  to  bring  forward  the  name 
of  (\  C.  Washburn,  who  was,  at  the 
convention  at  Mineral  I'oint,  nominated 
and  eleeleil  to  Congre^is.  Soon  after 
this,  Mr.  Walworth,  having  reg  lined  in 
some  measure  his  liealth,  resumed 
preacliiiig  ;  but  ill-heallh  soon  pre- 
Vi'iited  any  lengthy  pastorale.  lie 
therefore  had  recourse  to  other  em- 
ployment,    Uecamo   editor  and   pro- 


prietor of  "Richland  County  Ob- 
server," which  brought  him  into  polit- 
ical life  again.  He  was  a  Ann  and 
zealous  temperance  man,  was  a  member 
of  the  Good  Templars,  and  in  1800  was 
elected  G. W.  Chaplain.  In  1802  he  was 
elected  to  the  legislature,  and  in  18U4 
he  was  elected  chaplain  of  the  Forty- 
tlrrd  Regiment  Milwaukee  Volunteers, 
Col.  Cobb  commanding.  Mr.  Walworth 
rendered  valuable  services  during  his 
tcnn  of  service.  A  few  days  after  the 
battle  of  Nashville,  the  Forty-third  was 
ordered  to  take  position  near  Winches- 
ter. This  place  had  been  formerly  oc- 
cupied by  the  Fif  tli  Tennessee  Cavalry, 
with  some  detachment  of  infantry ;  and 
many  of  then>  seemed  to  be  actuated 
more  by  the  spirit  of  Soutliern  chivalry 
tlian  by  the  ])rincipies  of  Northern 
patriotism.  Here  Mr.  Waiwo,-th  was 
employed  as  post-cliaplain  and  post- 
master for  the  several  detachments  of 
the  soldiei-s  in  the  vicinity;  also  as 
military  postmaster  for  a  large  district 
of  country  south  of  Tuliahoma  Theso 
duties  enabled  him  to  understand 
something  of  the  character  of  the 
people,  wliicli  is  somewhat  peculiar  in 
tlie  South.  He  preaclied  a  very  able 
and  an  appropriate  sermon  on  the  day 
of  the  President's  interment,  pointing 
out  the  prominent  traits  of  Ids  ciiarac- 
ter.  This  discourse  was  subsequently 
twice  repeated  by  reiiuest.  His  life 
was  marked  with  deeds  of  kindness, 
wliieli  were  the  legiliiiiato  results  of 
zealous  effort  to  benefit  his  fellow-men. 
Hon.  Thomas  B,  Tvler.  —  He  was 
born  at  Cocheeton,  Sullivan  County, 
N.Y.,  Jan.  12,  1824.  He  removed, 
when  a  child,  with  his  parents,  to  the 
town  of  Seneca,  Ontario  County,  and 
was  reared  on  a  fann,  and  educated 
at  the  common  scliools  during  the 
winter  montlis,  until  the  age  of 
eighteen,  when,  through  his  unaided 
efforts,  ho  spent  two  years  at  Canan- 
daigiia  Academy.  Subseijuently  ho 
engaged  in  teacliing,  more  or  less,  for 
several  years.  He  read  medicine  for 
one  year  with  Francis  Deane,  M.D., 
an  old  and  respected  practitioner  at 
Gorham,  Ontario  County ;  and,  at  the 
breaking-out  of  the  gold  excitement, 
went  to  California,  being  absent  for  two 
years.  In  18.)2  ho  removed  to  Cou- 
dersport,  Penn.,  and  was  the  next 
year  elected  prothonotary  and  clerk  of 
the  courts.  Hero  ho  pursued  the 
study  of  tlie  law,  and  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  ISoT.  In  tlie  same  year  lie 
removed  to  Sparta,  Slonroe  County, 
Wis.,  and  there  Immediately  opened  an 


761 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


office,  with  Milton  Montgomery,  Esq., 
as  partner.  Mr.  Montgomery  having 
entered  tlie  military  service  as  colonel 
of  the  Twenty-fifth  Regiment  Wiscon- 
sin Volunteers,  S.  H.  Diclcinson  was 
added  to  the  firm ;  he,  by  consesit  of 
Mr.  Tyler,  still  retaining  his  interest. 
Some  two  years  since,  Mr.  Montgomery 
dissolved  his  connection  with  the  firm, 
and  removed  to  Lincoln,  Neb. 

During  these  years  this  firm,  now 
known  as  Tyler  and  Dickinson,  has 
acquired  a  deservedly  high  reputation 
for  ability,  integrity,  and  promptness 
in  tlie  transaction  of  all  business  in- 
trusted to  its  care,  and  has  won  for 
itself  a  largely  remunerative  and  in- 
creasing business.  Mr.  Tyler  was  an 
active  war  Democrat,  and  gave  earnest 
and  practical  support  to  every  neces- 
sary measure  to  subdue  the  liebellion. 

He  is  a  lawyer  of  decided  ability, 
attending  more  especially  to  the  busi- 
ness of  the  office,  and,  in  his  peculiar 
line,  has  few  peers.  He  is  careful  .\nd 
methodical  in  every  detail,  and,  with  a 
clear  and  well-ordered  intellect,  he 
rarely  fails  in  any  undertaking.  He 
seeks  rather  to  serve  his  clients  by  in- 
ducing amicable  and  just  settlements 
than  in  promoting  litigious  strife. 
Few  men  give  more  hours  to  hard 
work;  yet,  fc  id  of  social  pleasures,  he 
allots  to  them  a  due  share  of  his  time. 
He  is  a  man  of  great  public  spirit,  and 
has  -jver  taken  a  lively  interest  in  tlie 
moral,  educational,  and  material  ad- 
v.'incement  of  the  village,  county,  and 
State.  He  has  given  with  a  liberal 
hand  to  all  worthy  objects  engaging 
the  attention  of  the  community.  He 
has,  at  intervals,  invested  largely  in 
manufacturing  interests.  AVitli  others, 
he  built  the  Tyler  Flouring  Mills, 
near  the  St.  Paul  Railroad  Depot ;  has 
been  engaged  In  lumbering;  and  a  few 
years  since,  in  company  with  Hon.  T. 
D.  Steele,  erected  the  Sparta  Woollen 
Mills,  a  manufacturing  institution  of 
no  me.in  proportions,  oper.atcd  will 
the  most  approved  machinery.  H  j 
was  active  in  securing  tlie  incorpora- 
tion of  Sparta,  and  has  often  been 
called  to  serve  in  its  council,  and  for 
four  years  as  its  president.  He  was  a 
cane  'e  for  the  State  senate,  but 
was  leatcd  by  the  large  Republican 
majority  ii.  his  district,  after  making  a 
close  and  lively  race  with  his  com- 

Setitor.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the 
'ational  ('onvenlion  at  New  York, 
July  4,  1807,  which  nominated  Horatio 
Seymour  for  President.  Ho  has  held 
the  position  of  vice-president  of  the 


First  National  Bank  of  Sparta  since  Its 
org-inization.  He  was  for  six  years 
High  Priest  of  Sparta  Chapter  Royal 
Arch  Masons,  and  was,  for  a  term. 
Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  of  Wisconsin.  He  mar- 
ried Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  Francis 
Deane,  M.D.,  of  (jorham,  Ontario 
County,  N.Y.,  and  lias  one  cliild,  Mary 
E.,  wife  of  Ira  A.  Hill,  Esq..  of  Sparta. 
He  has  a  tasty  and  commodious  resi- 
dence at  the  head  of  Water  Street, 
Sparta;  has  a  large  income  from  his 
profession  and  investments ;  ami  is  one 
of  Sparta's  substantial  and  wealthy 
citizens. 

Dii.  M.  R.  Gage. — He  was  born  at 
Bellona,  Yates  County,  N.Y.,  April, 
1825,  and  was  educated  in  tlie  schools 
of  that  vicinity  until  he  began  the 
study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  E.  S. 
Smith,  M.D.,  at  his  native  village, 
where  lie  remained  until  he  graduated 
from  the  Geneva  Medical  College,  ex- 
cept while  attending  upon  the  lectures 
and  hospitals  at  Geneva  and  Kuffalo. 

After  graduating,  ho  formed  a  part- 
nership with  his  preceptor.  Dr.  Sniitli, 
at  the  termination  of  which  he  re- 
moved to  Couilersport,  Penii.  Hero 
he  remained  two  years,  and  then  re- 
moved to  Beloit,  VVis.,  and  thence  to 
Sparta,  Wis.,  where  he  practised  bis 
profession  until  August,  1802,  when  he 
was  commissioned  surgeon  of  tiio 
Twenty-fiflh  Wisconsin  Volunt>;ers. 

He  remained  in  the  army  two  and  a 
half  years,  when  he  resigned  on 
account  of  ill  health.  While  in  tlio 
service,  he  acted  fr)r  a  time  as  medical 
director  of  the  district  of  Columbus, 
Ky.,  and  as  division  surgeon  of  Gen. 
Vietcli's  division  during  Gen.  Sher- 
man's marcli  from  Vicksburg  to  Meri- 
dian, Miss. ;  but  most  of  tlie  time  he 
spent  with  his  regiment  in  active  duty. 
Since  leaving  the  army,  he  has  resided 
at  Sparta. 

He  was  the  first  county  superintend- 
ent of  scliools  of  Munroe  (^'ouiity,  and 
elected  by  a  large  majority.  Ho  was 
a  candidate  for  the  assembly  in  180.5, 
and  defeated  by  a  few  votes,  with  a 
party  m.ijority  of  six  hundred  against 
him  in  the  district. 

Dr.  Gage  has  devoted  himself  assidu- 
ously to  Ills  profession,  and  is  one  of 
the  most  learned  and  skilful  physi- 
cians in  the  State,  and,  but  for  his 
great  modesty,  would  be  widely  known 
as  one  of  the  leading  minds  in  his 
profcsshm.  He  is  a  man  of  studious 
liabits,  of  positive  conviction,  and  in- 
domitable energy;    and,  for  what  he 


BISTOnr  OF  WISCONSIN. 


765 


believes  to  be  right,  will  stand  against 
the  world. 

lie  h.is  been  master  of  the  Masonic 
Iiodse  for  several  <.'nns,  and  High 
Triest  of  the  R.  A.  Chapter. 

His  services  have  often  been  demand- 
ed ill  various  local  offices,  to  which  he 
has  been  unanimously  elected,  lie 
has  ever  taken  a  lively  Interest  In  all 
public  improvements;  and  any  enter- 
prise calculated  to  promote  the  welfare 
of  the  community  in  which  ho  resides 
has  received  his  unreserved  and  hearty 
support. 

lie  married  Miss Martin,  a  most 

estimable  lady,  and  has  no  children, 
lie  is  simple  in  his  tastes,  unpreten- 
tious in  his  habits,  and  is  justly  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  reliable  and 
substantial  men  of  his  section. 

IIo.v.  AuousTus  Ledyard  Smith. — 
He  was  born  In  Middletown,  Conn., 
on  the  fifth  day  of  April,  183.3.  His 
prep.iratory  educational  and  collegiate 
life  was  spent  in  his  native  town, 
where  he  graduated,  in  18,>4,  from  the 
Wesleyan  University,  of  which  institu- 
tion his  fathe. ,  Augustus  W.  Smith, 
LI..U.,  was  president. 

Immediately  upon  his  graduation, 
he  came  to  Madison  to  take  the  posi- 
tion of  tutor  in  the  Wisconsin  State 
University.  Here  he  remained,  giving 
excellent  satisfaction  as  an  instructor, 
until  18.')0,  when  he  resigned,  in  order 
to  become  the  secretary  and  land 
commissioner  of  the  Fox  and  Wiscon- 
sin Improvement  Company.  \  '^hile 
retaining  this  offlce,  he  was  alsc  en- 
gaged in  publisliiiig  a  paper  in  icvA 
du  Lac,  called  "  The  Fond  du  L.ic 
Union."  While  at  the  East,  in  1801. 
his  services  were  secured  as  assistant 
pvofessorof  mathematics  in  the  United 
States  Naval  Academy,  temporarily 
located  at  Newport,  H. I.,  during  the 
conlii  i   of    the    civil    war.      In 

1803  iie  leturnod  to  Appleton,  Wis., 
ami  resumed  his  active  relation  to  the 
Fox  and  Wisconsin  Iiiprovement  Com- 
pany, ill  the  capacity  of  secretary  and 
general  .agent.  In  1800  he  was  elected 
State  senator  from  the  twenty-second 
district,  and  was  iiistrnmental  in  carry- 
ing through  successfully  measures  of 
much  importance  to  the  district  and  to 
the  State.  Conspicuous  amring  those 
was  the  re-orgaiiizalion  of  the  State 
University,  In  which  he  took  a  deep 
and  active  interest.  The  Improve- 
ment Comp.any  being  re -organized 
under  the  name  of  the  Green  Day  and 
Mississippi  Canal  Company,  Mr,  Smith 
accepted  the  office  of   secretary  and 


treasurer  in  that  corporation,  which 
position  he  retained  until  the  disposi- 
tion of  Its  lands  to  private  parties, 
whose  commissioner  and  agent  he  still 
remains.  In  1808  Gov.  Fairchild  ap- 
pointed him  regent  of  the  State  Uni- 
versity, which  position  he  held  until 
1874.  In  1870  he  established,  and  was 
made  president  of,  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Appleton.  In  the  s.inie  year, 
he  was  elected  mayor  of  that  city,  aiicl 
In  ]87;J-74  he  served  as  alderman  of 
his  ward.  Tlie  city  org.inized  a  cham- 
ber of  commerce  in  187i5,  and  Mr. 
Smith  was  electoil  Its  first  president. 

Mr.  Smith  has  been  very  closely 
identified  with  all  the  improvements 
going  on  in  Appleton  for  the  last  fifteen 
years,  and  has,  by  earnest,  practical 
effort,  as  well  as  by  the  contribution 
of  his  means,  aided  and  encouraged  all 
enterprises  —  business,  educational, 
social,  and  religious  —  which  would 
naturally  extend  the  reputation  of 
Appleton,  and  indicate  its  moral  and 
material  i)rosperity. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  man  of  nervous-san- 
guine temperament,  of  marked  ability, 
interested  alike  in  all  the  practical 
appliances  which  contribute  to  the 
growth  of  a  town,  to  the  advancement 
of  literary  culture,  and  the  develop- 
ments which  are  constantly  t.aking 
place  in  tlic  domain  of  science.  His 
personal  relations  to  his  fellow-citizens 
are  of  the  happiest  character.  Mr. 
Smith  is  a  regular  attendant  upon  the 
services  of  the  Congregational  Church ; 
but  all  the  religious  societies  of  Apple- 
ton  find  in  him  a  friend  and  helper. 
He  has  no  connection  with  any  secret 
organization  whatever. 

in  Chicago,  Oct.  30,  1800,  Mr.  Smith 
was  married  to  Miss  Edna  J.  Taylor, 
formerly  of  Madison,  Wis.  He  has 
two  sons,  and  his  homo  is  most  de- 
li<!;htfully  situated  on  the  banks  of  the 
Fox  River.  The  carefully  improved 
condition  of  the  grounds  surrounding 
his  home,  and  the  ample  library 
within,  give  evidence  of  the  cultivated 
and  refined  tasto  of  its  occupants. 

Hon.  Don  A.  J.  Upham.  —  He  was 
horn  in  Weathorsficld.  Windsor  County, 
Vt.,  May  1,  1800.  His  father,  Joshua 
Upham,  occupied  the  homestead  and 
farm  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut, 
that  was  first  owned  by  his  grand- 
father, William  Upham,  at  the  close  of 
the  lievolutionary  War,  and  which  has 
been  in  possession  of  the  f.imily  for 
nearly  one  hundred  years.  The  family 
was  among  tho  earliest  settlers  of  New 
England.  About  twenty-five  years  ago, 


766 


niSTORT  OF  WISCONSrif. 


the  lute  Dr.  TJpham  of  Salem,  Mass., 
compiled  and  publUlied  the  genealogy 
of  the  Uphain  family,  in  which  he  dis- 
tinctly traced  the  ancestors  of  William 
Upliam  back  to  John  Upham,  who  emi- 
grated from  the  west  of  England,  and 
settled  in  Maiden,  near  IJoston,  about 
sixty  years  after  the  first  landing  of  the 
Pilgrims  at  Plymouth  Eock.  When 
D.  A.  J.  Uphain  became  sixteen  years 
of  ase.  he  chose  the  legal  profession. 
Ills  father  sent  him  to  the  preparatory 
school  at  Chester,  Vt.,  and  subse- 
quently to  Meriden,  N.II. ;  and,  at  the 
age  of  nineteen,  he  entered  the  sopho- 
more class  at  Union  College,  New  York ; 
the  late  Dr.  E.  Xott  th.n  president 
of  the  institution.  He  ^n.duated  in 
1831,  with  the  highest  standing,  in  a 
class  of  about  one  liundred.  Soon  after, 
ho  entered  the  office  of  Gen.  James 
Talltnadge  in  New  York,  as  a  law-stu- 
ilent.  Finding  it  necessary  to  procure 
some  means  in  order  to  complete  his 
oiliication  as  a  lawyer,  he  was,  through 
the  recommendation  of  Pres.  Nott, 
appointed  assistant  professor  of  mathe- 
matics In  Delaware  College  at  Newark. 
lie  held  this  position  for  three  years, 
at  the  same  time  having  entered  as 
a  law-student  in  the  office  of  the  Hon. 
James  A.  Bayard  of  Wilmington,  Del., 
late  United  States  senator  from  that 
State.  In  1835,  after  attending  a 
course  of  law-lectures  in  the  city  of 
Itallimore,  ho  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  commenceil  the  practice  of  law  in 
the  city  of  Wilmington.  In  1837  he 
started  for  the  West.  He  visited  Chi- 
cago, but  was  not  pleased  with  its 
appearance  in  the  earlier  days  of  its 
history.  He  travelled  through  a  con- 
siderable of  the  country,  when  he  was 
returning  by  way  of  Milwaukee.  The 
first  settlement  in  this  place  was  made 
the  year  before  his  arrival.  He  was 
impressed  favorably  with  the  place, 
and  determined  to  locate  here.  Tito 
difficulties  attending  the  practice  of 
the  lawyers  who  first  settled  in  the 
Territory  can  hardly  be  appreciated  in 
these  days.  The  first  case  of  any  im- 
portance was  in  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  Territory.  At  the  fall  term  of  the 
district  court,  a  judgment  for  a  large 
amount  had  been  obtained  against  one 
of  the  most  extensive  dealers  in  real 
estate  in  Milwaukee;  and  his  new 
dwelling-house  and  a  largo  amount  of 
property  were  advertised  for  sale  on 
execution.  The  young  lawyer  was 
solicited  to  take  the  case  to  the  Su- 
preme Court,  and  enjoin  the  pending 
Bale.    It  was  necessary  that  one  of  the 


judges  should  allow  the  writ  of  Injunc- 
tion. In  order  thereto,  it  was  found 
necessary  to  apply  to  Judge  Dunn, 
who  resided  at  KIk  Grove  in  the  West- 
ern District,  abotit  one  hundred  aiul 
eighty  miles  from  Milwaukee.  The  best 
mode  of  conv<!yanco  was  on  horse- 
l)ack  through  the  counties  of  Ilock  and 
Green ;  and  the  only  track  for  most  of 
the  wiiy  was  an  Indian  trail  across  the 
prairies.  He  started  on  tliis  joimiey. 
He  reached  Mineral  Point,  had  his 
writ  allowed  by  the  judge,  and,  on  his 
return  to  Sugar  IJiver,  found  he  had 
but  two  nights  and  one  day  in  which 
to  reach  Milwaukee  before  the  sale,  —  a 
distance  of  one  hundred  miles.  After 
leaving  here,  ho  found  the  prairie  w.as 
on  fire  in  places,  and,  as  the  night  ad- 
vanced, it  grew  worse.  The  wiiul  arose; 
and  a  scene  presented  Itself  which 
baffles  description.  With  tliese  fiery 
trials  he  found  himself  lost  at  midnight 
on  the  pruirio.  Finally,  as  the  clouds 
parted,  he  was  enabled  to  read  his  way 
of  escape,  and  arrived  about  one  hour 
before  the  sale,  to  the  astonishment  of 
the  opposing  counsel,  and  groat  joy  of 
his  client,  who  had  long  been  anxiously 
waiting  his  coming.  Mr.  Ui)ham  was 
not  a  politician  in  the  true  sense  of  the 
term,  but  has  filled,  liowevor,  some 
important  political  positiotis.  Ho  was 
several  times  a  member  of  the  Terri- 
torial council  at  the  earliest  sessions 
of  the  legislature  at  Madison.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  first  convention  that 
was  called  to  form  a  constitution  for 
the  State  of  Wisconsin,  and  was  elected 
the  president  of  the  convention;  was 
nominated  by  the  Democratic  party 
for  governor  of  the  State,  as  the  suc- 
cessor of  Gov.  Dewey.  His  opponent 
was  L.  J.  Farwell.  He  took  tio  active 
part  in  the  canvass.  The  contest  was  a 
close  one,  and  his  opponent  elected  by 
a  small  majority.  He  was  twice  elected 
mayor  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee;  wasi 
afterwards  appointed  United  States  at- 
torney for  the  District  of  Wisconsin, 
which  he  held  four  years.  After  thirty 
years  of  successful  practice  in  Milwau- 
kee, he  was  compelled  by  ill-health  to 
retire  from  the  profession.  He  was 
married.  In  1836,  to  Elizabetli  S.,  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Gideon  Jaynes  of  Wilming- 
ton, Del.  At  the  close  of  the  late  war, 
Major  Upham,  on  his  return  from  a 
trip  to  Europe,  brought  home,  and  pre- 
sented to  his  father,  an  astronomical 
telescope  of  large  power.  With  the 
aid  of  this,  his  father  for  several  years 
p.^t,  as  his  health  and  time  would  per- 
mit, has  been  reviewing  his  early  as- 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


767 


tronomlcal  Inye9tl!;atlons,  learning  of 
tlio  progress  mode  In  that  scienco 
during  the  last  forty  years,  and  verify- 
ing, to  some  extent,  the  computations 
made  annually  at  the  Astronomical 
Observatory  at  Washington. 

Hon.  William  Stabb.  — He  was 
born  in  Middletown,  Conn.,  March  .3, 
1821.  VVlien  eight  years  of  age,  he,  with 
Ills  widowed  mother,  moved  to  Lewis 
County,  New  York.  Soon  after  their 
arrival,  his  mother  was  married  to  a 
farmer;  and  William  worked  on  the 
farm  until  fourteen  years  of  age,  with 
his  mother  s  consent  and  approval,  his 
object  being  to  acquire  an  education. 
The  subsequent  eight  years  of  his  life 
were  spent  in  working  on  the  farm, 
teaching  and  attending  schools  the 
meinwhile,  keeping  up  his  studies 
while  fanning  and  teaching.  In  the 
spring  of  184;J  he  came  to  Wisconsin, 
anil  spent  three  years  in  teaching  with 
fine  success.  Since  that  time  lie  has 
been  engaged  as  farmer,  merchant,  and 
.  lumberman.  He  has  held  various 
town,  city,  and  county  offices ;  has  been 
twice  elected  to  the  legislature;  and 
since  1865  has  been,  by  successive  ap- 
pointments from  each  of  the  governors, 
made  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Regents 
of  Normal  Schools,  and,  for  the  last 
seven  years,  president  of  the  board.  In 
all  these  offices,  Mr.  Starr  has  discharged 
the  duties  falling  to  him  in  a  manner 
which  reflected  much  credit  upon  him- 
self in  the  estimation  of  the  people, 
both  as  a  man  of  ability  and  hunesty. 
His  re-appointments  to  offices  of  honor 
and  trust  fully  confirm  the  fact  that 
he  is  a  man  every  way  qualified  for  tlie 
same,  worthy  the  confidence  of  those 
whom  he  so  faithfully  serves. 

Hox.  Charles  D.  Parker. —  He 
was  born  in  Coos  County,  X.II.,  Dec. 
27, 1827.  He  came  to  Wisconsin  in  the 
year  18:10,  with  his  father,  who  settled 
where  the  village  of  Muskegon  Centre, 
Waukesha  County,  i*  now  located.  At 
tliat  time  his  nearest  neighbor  was 
about  three  miles  distant.  His  father 
was  very  well  known  In  Milwaukee 
County.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the 
earlier  politics  of  the  State,  and  was 
elected  representjitive  from  Milwaukee 
Coimty  to  the  Territorial  legislature  in 
1840,  and  was  prominent  in  the  organ- 
ization of  Waukesha  County.  C.  D. 
Parker  received  a  common  school  and 
academic  education,  and,  at  Its  tennl- 
nation,  engaged  in  te.tching  school  in 
wli'ter,  and  farming  in  summer.  Ho 
removed  to  Pleasant  Valley,  St.  Croix 
County,  in  1850,  and  settled  upon  u 


farm,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has 
held  various  local  offices;  was  chair- 
man of  his  town  four  years,  and  chair- 
man of  the  county  board  in  1871,  and 
was  elected  to  the  assembly  in  1808 
and  1800.  In  1873  he  was  elected 
lieutenant-governor.  During  his  life 
he  ever  manifested  a  spirit  of  honest 
industry,  not  yielding  to  every  obstacle. 
He  has  fought  the  battles  of  life  nobly 
thus  far,  has  discharged  the  duties  of 
his  several  offices  in  a  very  acceptable 
manner,  and  leaves  a  very  worthy 
record. 

IIo.v.  John  Catlix.  —  He  was  bom 
in  Orwell,  Vt.,  In  Oct.  1.%  1803.  His 
parents  were  John  B.  and  Rosa  Orms- 
bee  Catlin.  His  father  was  a  merchant, 
but  retired  to  a  farm  in  Vermont,  locat- 
ing on  the  shores  of  Lake  Champlain. 
Here,  and  at  Newton  Academy,  in 
Shoreham,  Vt.,  he  pursued  the  more 
common  branches  of  study,  and  after- 
wards, while  teaching,  educated  him- 
self the  more  thoroughly,  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1833;  and  on 
removmg  to  Mineral  Point,  Wis,,  in 
1830,  he  fonned  a  partnership  with 
Hon.  M,  M,  Strong. 

When  the  seat  of  government  was 
located  in  Madison,  Mr.  Catlin  was 
appointed  postmaster,  and  established 
the  office  in  M,ay,  1837.  On  the  elec- 
tion of  Gen.  Harrison  to  the  Presi- 
dency, Mr.  Catlin  was  removed  on 
political  grounds,  but  was  re-instated 
afterward  by  Pres.  Tyler.  On  being 
elected  a  member  of  the  council  lii 
1844,  he  resigned  his  position.  He 
was  appointed  clerk  of  the  Supreme 
Court  in  18;W.  From  1838  to  1845, 
he  was  the  chief  clerk  of  the  house  of 
representatives.  On  the  organization 
of  Dane  County  for  county  and  judi- 
cial purposes,  Mr,  Catlin  was  appointed 
district-attorney. 

In  1840  Mr.  George  R.  C,  Floyd  being 
removed  from  his  office  as  secretary  of 
the  Territory,  Mr,  Catlin  was  appointed 
to  tliat  position  by  Pres.  Polk,  which  he 
held  until  1848, 

A  bill  was  introduced  into  Congress 
by  Hon.  Morgan  L,  Martin,  the  dele- 
gate of  Wisconsin,  to  organize  a  Terri- 
torial government  for  Minnesota,  in- 
cluding the  district  left  out  on  the 
admission  of  Wisconsin  as  a  State. 
The  citizens  of  what  is  now  Minnesota 
were  very  anxious  to  obtain  a  Territorial 
government;  and  two  public  meetings 
were  held,  —  one  at  St,  Paul,  and  the 
other  at  Stillwater,  —  advising  and  soli- 
citing Mr.  Catlin,  who  was  secretary  of 
WiscoDsia,  to  Issue  a  proclamation,  aa 


768 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


the  acting  governor,  for  the  election  of 
a  (Iclogiite.  After  some  consideration, 
Mr.  Ciitlin  rcpairoJ  to  Stiilwater,  anil 
issued  tiie  proclamation.  Gon.  II.  II, 
Siljley  was  elected;  and  lie  did  mucli 
towards  lia'tcning  the  passage  of  a  bill 
for  organizing  a  Territorial  government 
for  Minnesota. 

Mr.  Catlin  was  subsequently  elected 
judge  of  Dane  County.  Tills  office  lie 
resigned  on  being  appointed  president 
of  tlie  Milwaulicc  and  Mississippi  Kail- 
road  Company,  when  he  removed  to 
Miiwauliee,  whore  the  principal  office 
was  kept.  lie  w.as  mainly  instni- 
mcnt.il  in  procuring,  in  the  b.aniiing 
law,  a  provision  maiciiig  first  mortgage 
bonds  of  railroads,  to  tlie  .imount  ci  fifty 
percent,  the  l)asis  of  banlting,  under  cer- 
tain restrictions,  —  a  provision  wliich 
enabled  liim  to  sell  and  issue  six  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  of  bonds  on  the 
said  road,  wlii'h  breathed  Into  tlie  cor- 
poration the  ill  oath  of  life,  and  gave  it 
a  grand  start  towards  the  Mississippi, 

Being  offered  the  position  a  second 
time  in  18.50,  he  declined,  and  after- 
wards received  a  vote  of  thanks  for  the 
efficient  manner  in  which  he  had  dis- 
charged  the  duties  of  that  office. 

After  the  failure  of  the  company  in 
the  revulsion  of  1857,  Mr.  Catlin  was 
again  elected  president,  and  re-organ- 
ized tlio  company  under  the  name  of 
the  Milwaukee  and  Prairie  du  Ciiien 
Railway;  and  was  vice-president  until 
the  consolidation  of  tiie  company  with 
the  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul. 

Mr.  Catlin  possessed  practical  busi- 
ness talent  and  good  executive  ability, 
as  is  seen  in  his  management  of  the 
construction  of  the  raili'oad  from  Mil- 
waukee to  the  Mississippi. 

He  was  a  man  of  genial  disposition, 
of  pleasant  and  affable  manner,  and 
had  a  large  circle  of  warm  and  last- 
ing friends. 

Gen.  Joshua  J.  Guppey.  —  Ho  was 
born  in  Dover,  N.H.,  Aug.  27,  1820. 
Graduated  at  Dartmouth  Coliogo  in 
1843;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  his 
native  county;  and  came  to  Wisconsin 
in  the  fall  of  1840.  He  first  settled 
at  Columbus,  but  removed  from  that 

Elace  to  Portage  in  1851.  Ho  has 
een  in  public  life  nearly  all  the  time 
since  he  became  a  citizen  of  Wisconsin. 
In  1849  he  was  appointed  judge  of  Pro- 
bate by  Gov.  Dewey ;  and,  in  September 
of  that  year,  he  was  elected  county 
judge,  and  under  that  election,  and 
a  subsequent  one,  held  that  office  from 
1850  to  185S.  From  1S59  to  1801,  he 
was  school  superintendent  of  the  city 


of  Portage.  In  1801  he  entered  the 
army  as  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Tenth 
Kegimcnt,  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  and 
was  promoted  to  colonel  of  the  Twenty- 
third  Hegimcnt,  Wisconsin  Volunteers 
in  1802.  He  continued  in  service  till  the 
close  of  the  war,  and  was  brevetted 
brigadier-general  from  March  13,  1805, 
"for  gallant  and  meritorious  services 
during  the  war."  While  lieutenant- 
colonel  of  the  Tenth  Regiment,  he 
served  under  Gen.  O.  M.  Mitcliell  in 
Kentucky,  Tennessee,  and  Alabama. 
As  colonel  of  the  Twenty-third  Regi- 
ment, he  took  part  In  tlie  attack  ou 
Vicksburg,  in  December,  1802;  in  the 
capture  of  Post  Arkansas,  in  January, 
18(i3;  in  the  battles  of  Port  Gibson, 
Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge; 
in  the  siege  and  capture  of  Vicksburg; 
in  the  capture  of  Fort  Morg.an  in  Mobile 
Bay;  and  in  a  small  but  sharp  battle 
near  Grand  Coteau,  La.,  in  November, 
1803.  Greeley  writes  of  this  in  his 
"  American  Conflict,"  "  Our  right,  thus 
suddenly  assailed  in  great  force,  and 
with  intense  fury,  was  broken,  and 
was  saved  from  utter  destruction  by 
the  devoted  bravery  of  the  Twenty- 
third  Wisconsin,  and  the  efficient  ser- 
vice of  Nims's  Battery." 

In  the  battle  last  mentioned.  Col. 
Guppey  was  wounded  and  taken  pris- 
oner whilo  fighting  at  the  head  of  his 
gallant  regiment,  and  was  exchanged 
in  January,  1804.  For  some  time  after 
his  exchange,  he  served  as  president  of 
a  military  commission,  sitting  at  New 
Orleans  for  the  examination  of  officers. 
After  that,  he  was  made  a  brigade  or  post 
commander  till  the  end  of  tlie  war,  and 
participated  in  many  minor  actions,  but 
in  none  of  the  great  battles  which  oc- 
curred in  1804  and  1805,  except  the  land- 
attack  on  Fort  Moi-gan. 

In  January,  1800,  Gen.  Guppoy 
again  became  county  judge  of  Colum- 
bus County,  under  an  election  held 
while  he  was  in  the  army,  and  with- 
out his  knowledge  of  his  being  a  candi- 
date: and,  under  tliat  and  successive 
elections,  he  has  held  that  office  ever 
since.  He  was  also  school  superintend- 
ent of  Portage  city  from  1800  to  1873, 
when  he  declined  a  re-election. 

Gen.  Guppey  is  a  man  of  strong, 
practical  sense,  and  unerring  judg- 
ment. The  predominating  features  of 
his  temperament  are  sound  principles, 
energy,  and  persevcranoe. 

Pbof.  Allev  Haydes  Weld.  —  He 
was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Hay- 
den  Weld,  and  was  born  Sept.  1,  1812, 
in  Braintree,  Vt.    Mr.  Weld  possessed 


inSTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


769 


a  strong  tlosirn  for  a  collegiate  educa- 
tion, aiul  a  wish  to  f^radiiate  at  Yale 
College;  but,  being  entirely  ilei^ndi'iit 
on  his  own  cxeflions,  he  inei  with 
many  anxion»  .struggles  an<l  cnibar- 
rassments.  He  took  a  three-years'  pre- 
paratory course  In  the  Kimball  Union 
Academy  in  New  Hampshire.  FroTU 
motives  of  economy,  he  entered  Dart- 
mouth College;  and,  after  remaining 
there  two  years,  lie  went  to  Yale,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  junior  class.  The 
year  after  graduating  he  spent  at  Nan- 
tucket, where  he  succeeded  in  retriev- 
ina:  his  debts  contracted  in  the  coli^^e 
course.  He  then  commenced  the  study 
of  theology  at  Andover  Theological 
Seminary,  not  so  much  with  a  view  of 
preparing  for  the  ministry  as  for  the 
g<^ncral  advantage  of  a  higher  disci- 
pline. After  studying  two  yesrs  in 
the  seminary,  he  became  an  assis-ant 
teacher  in  Latin  and  Greek  in  Phillips 
Academy  of  that  place,  but  was  soon 
invited  to  take  charge  of  an  academy  In 
Maine.  This  position  was  accepted  by 
him  on  the  condition  that  the  course  of 
instruction  should  consist  mainly  of  the 
classic*  necessary  to  prepare  students  for 
coUe^^e. 

From  1317  to  1818,  he  was  at  the  head 
of  this  academy,  which  became  a  lead- 
m'i  institution  in  the  State  for  prepar- 
ing students  to  enter  college.  Mr.  VVeld 
became  deeply  interested  in  the  struc- 
ture of  laiiguac;e,  and,  during  his  con- 
nection with  this  school,  published  sev- 
eral school-books, —  an  "English  Gram- 
mar." "  Latin  Lessons,  and  Reader," 
and  a  "  Parsing-book,  with  Exercises 
in  Sentential  Analysis."  In  18;!9  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Overseers  of  Bowloin  College,  and  con- 
tinued in  this  offlco  during  his  entire 
residence  in  Maine.  Fr,)in  i8.')0  to  ISoO, 
he  was  principal  of  the  Cumberland 
Academy  in  Maryland ;  and,  f;)r  three 
surcesive  years,  ho  was  principal  of  the 
Tllden  Ladies'  Seminary  in  West  Lebti- 
non,  N.H. 

From  highly-colored  representations 
of  the  north-western  part  of  the  State 
of  Wisconsin,  ho  was  induced  to  make 
111  vestments  in  govarnment  lands ;  and, 
to  avoid  the  loss  of  property,  he  was 
compelled  to  resign  his  position  at  West 
Lebanon,  and  toremove  to  Wisconsin. 
For  several  years,  he  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  regents  of  the  State 
normal  schools,  and.  in  common  with 
others  who  have  felt  the  need  of  better 
educational  facilities  in  the  north-west- 
ern part  of  the  State,  he  has  been  ear- 
nest iu  his  efforts  to  secure  the  loca- 


tion of  the  fourth  State  Normal  School 
at  River  Falls.  Hopes  long  entertained 
liave  at  length  been  realized  by  the  erec- 
tion of  a  fine  building. 

Mr.  Weld,  though  now  retired  to  a 
farm,  takes  a  lively  interest  in  the 
cause  of  popular  education,  to  which, 
during  his  residence  in  Wisconsin,  a 
period  of  sixteen  vears,  he  has  devoted 
much  time  and  labor. 

Hox.  Caul,  C.  Pope.  —  Ho  was 
born  in  Washington,  Orange  County, 
Vt.,  July  22,  18:J4.  When  eighteen 
years  of  age,  lie  commenced  the  study 
of  law  with  Hon.  J.  P.  Kidder,  then 
lieutenant-governor  of  Vermont,  and 
now  delegate  to  Congress  from  Da- 
kota. In  18.>G  he  was  admitted  as  an 
attorney-at-law  at  Chelsea,  Vt.,  by 
Judge  Collamer,  who  has  since  been 
elected  United  Slates  senator.  In 
18.56  he  removed  to  Bl.tck  River  Falls, 
where  he  now  resides.  In  IS.jS  ho 
was  elected  district-attorney  of  Jack- 
son County,  and  in  1800  was  re- 
elected to  tlie  same  ofBce.  In  1801 
and  1302  he  was  a  member  of  the 
assembly,  and  was  elected  senator 
from  the  thirty-second  district  in  1803. 
He  was  a  delegate  in  the  following  year 
to  the  Baltimore  convention  which, 
nominated  Lincoln  and  .Johnson. 

He  was  made  a  Master  Mason  in  1801, 
and,  six  years  later,  a  Knight  Templar, 
Has  been  Master  of  Black  River  Lodge, 
No.  74,  seven  years,  and  High  Priest  of 
Black  River  Ciiapter  three  years. 

JUDQE   JOIIPf   SlIAW  MOFI-AT. — Ho' 

was  born  in  Lansing,  N.Y.,  Nov.  25, 
1814.  He  was  educated  at  Cortland' 
Academy,  Cortland  County,  N.Y.,  and 
subsequently  became  a  lawyer.  Snon 
after  his  reinoval  to  Hudson,  in  1854, 
he  was  made  police  justice,  whicli 
offlco  he  held  for  about  ten  years.  In 
180i)  he  was  elected  county  judge,  and 
in  1873  was  re-elected. 

Judge  Motlat  is  of  Irish  descent, 
and  possesses  many  of  the  character- 
istic traits  peculiar  to  that  race.  His 
grandparents  were  educated  and  prom- 
fnetit  residents  of  Ireland,  and  came 
to  America  in  the  latter  part  of  their 
lives. 

Judge  Moffat  still  resides  in  Hudson, 
where  he  possesses  the  respect  and 
conlidence  of  the  entire  people. 

JUDOI3  J.  E.  M.VNjf.  —  lie  was  born 
March  4,  1821,  in  Schoharie,  Schoharie 
County,  N.Y.  His  father  was  a  farmer ; 
and  he  lived  and  labored  on  the  farm- 
till  ho  was  about  twenty  years  of  age. 
During  his  vacations  he  prepared  for 
college,  and  iu  1840  entered  the  sopho- 


770 


BISTORT  OF   WlSCO.fSlS. 


more  class  at  Williams  Collesje,  Massa- 
cluisotts.  Here  ho  reinaiiieil  two  terms, 
when  ho  oiitoroil,  ill  Iho  tiiiril  term  of 
the  sophomoru  your,  at  Union  Collo^o, 
where  ho  graduated  in  184:).  While 
at  seliool,  ho  wa^  olecteil  a  member  of 
the  Pill  lieta  Kappa  ISocietv,  in  a  cUn*^ 
of  al>out  one  hundred.  lie  road  law 
at  Sohuharle,  with  the  late  lion  Jacob 
llaiick,  jun.,  and  In  July,  1S4'!,  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Now  York. 

Ho  practised  law  In  Schoharie 
County  until  May,  18.54,  when  he  re- 
moved to  th"  viilap50  of  West  Bend, 
Washington  County,  Wis.  Ilere  ho 
continued  to  practise  In  his  profession, 
having  formed  a  copartnership  with 
Hon.  L.  F.  Frisby.  In  April,  18.-)>J,  he 
was  elected  judge  of  the  third  circuit, 
to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  resij^- 
nation  of  the  Hon.  Ciiarles  H.  Laira- 
bce.  In  ISliO  he  was  again  elected  to 
that  position.  Jan.  1,  1807,  ho  re- 
moved to  Milwaukee,  forming  a  part- 
nership with  the  Hon.  F.  W.  Cotz- 
liausen,  where  ho  remained,  doing  a 
successful  and  lucrative  business,  until 
Feb.  6, 1874.  At  this  time  Gov.  Taylor 
appointed  him  jiulgo  of  Milwaukee 
County,  in  place  of  lion.  U.  L.  Palmer, 
who  had  resigned. 

Hon.  Febdixand  KirEnx.—  He  was 
born  in  Augsburg,  Uavaria,  Fob.  22. 
1821.  Here  he  acquired  his  oducati(m. 
In  his  fifteenth  year  he  was  apprenticed 
to  a  banking-house  in  his  native  city. 
Subseiiuently  ho  secured  a  situation 
in  a  banking-house  at  Borne,  Switzer- 
land, where  he  remaitiod  tot.  year<. 
Desirous  of  obtaining  an  independent 
position,  he  emigrated  to  Washington 
County,  Wisconsin,  in  1844,  where  Iio 
remained  two  years.  In  1843  ho  mar- 
ried. But,  being  without  sufficient 
means  to  purchase  a  farm,  he  removed, 
in  the  following  year,  to  Milwaukee. 
After  clerking  a  short  time,  he  learned 
to  make  cigars,  and  occasionally  served 
at  book-keeping,  thereby  increasing  his 
scanty  income.  In  1841)  ho  was  ap- 
pointed clerk  in  the  city  treasurer's 
office,  where  lie  remained  five  years. 
In  18.)4  he  was  elected  city  tre.isuror, 
and,  in  the  following  year,  was  re- 
elected without  opposition.  In  1850 
formed  a  partnership  with  the  late 
Senator  Charles  Quentin,  and  was  also 
chosen  alderman  of  the  sixth  ward  of 
Milwaukee,  and,  three  years  later,  was 
made  school-commissioner  of  said 
ward.  In  18(10  he  was  elected  comp- 
troller of  the  city.  The  duties  of  this 
position  were  extremely  arduous,  as  he 


entered  ttpon  the  dlschargw  of  them 
immeiliately  after  the  discovery  of  the 
Ganiinor  and  Lynch  defalcation.  Ho 
held  this  position  for  live  successive 
terms. 

The  ro-adjustment  and  funding  of 
tlio  city  and  railroad  debt  were  com- 
menced, anil  successfully  carried  out, 
Tlio  duties  of  the  comptroller  were,  on 
that  account,  very  laborious,  as  he  was 
clerk,  ex  officio,  of  tlio  public  debt. 
In  18(10  ho  engaged  in  the  real-estate 
business,  more  exclusively  taking  care 
of  the  property  of  non-residents. 
Two  years  later,  ho  was  associated 
with  Cliristian  Opt  in  this  business. 
In  1870  ho  as>lste(l  in  the  organization 
of  tlie  Homo  Savings  Bank,  of  wliicli 
ho  afterwards  became  a  stockholder. 
Subseiiuently  the  bank  became  con- 
solidated witli  the  bank  of  M.  von 
Uaumlmch;  and  Mr.  Kiiolin  was  o'losen 
its  vice-president,  which  oftico  he  held 
until  187:$.  He  was  elected  State 
treasurer  on  the  lleform  ticket,  receiv- 
ing a  most  tiatteriiig  liome  indorse- 
nifnt.  He  entered  upon  the  duties  of 
that  office  Jan.  5,  187.'5.  Mr.  ICneliu's 
residence  since  lliat  time  lias  been  in 
Madison,  in  order  that  he  might  devote 
more  attontloa  to  tho  duties  of  that 
office. 

Hon'.  T.  a.  Cuai'man.  —  IIo  was 
born  at  Giles,  Mo.,  May  2:i,  182J.  His 
father  was  a  farmer,  and  possesses 
unyielding  integrity.  Mr.  Chapman 
worked  on  tho  farm,  and  attended  the 
common  school,  until  lie  was  twenty 
years  of  age.  He  taught  two  terms, 
■ind  then  entered  as  clerk  in  a  dry- 
goods  store  in  Boston.  He  riMiialned 
tliere  thirtoei.  ye.irs.  While  there,  ho 
engaged  in  business  for  himself;  but, 
as  he  wanted  capital,  ho  could  notcom- 
pelo  successfully  with  the  trade,  and 
lie  decided  to  "go West."  He  brouglit 
with  him  little  moro  than  a  reputation 
for  integrity,  good  moral  character, 
^nd  good  credit.  Ho  coniinenced  busi- 
ness in  1857,  in  East  Water  Street, 
Milwaukee,  where  he  cari-ieil  on  a 
successful  ami  prosperous  tiadi?.  The 
sales  of  the  first  year  amounted  to 
thirty-live  thousand  dollars,  and  in 
1871  to  two  hundred  and  (ifiy  thou- 
sand doll.ars.  Tlio  next  year  he  l)ouglit 
a  corner  of  Wisconsin  and  Milwaukee 
Streets,  and  built  the  spacious  double 
store  now  occupied  by  him.  wliero  he 
became  more  popular  than  over.  Tlio 
sales  in  187.5  will  roacli  a  million  of 
dollars.  His  business  is  wholly  of  a 
retail  character.  Mr.  Chapman  is  a 
man  of  sterling  character,  unimpcacli- 


niSTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


771 


ftblo  In  his  morixls,  nnd  Ipinpf-.'ato  in 
]iU  liiibitK.  FiiiiUR'lally,  lie  ''  worki'il 
hin  way  up"  friini  notlihijj!,  recoivliiK 
no  liulp  in  tl>B  »li,ipo  of  niiMris  fmni 
any  sipuive.  His  .siiii's  iKit  unfrc- 
nut'ntly  ruiiL'li  a:«  lil<!li  sis  four  llioUHaml 
tiojliirs  per  diiy.  His  fiiipioytiet  num- 
ber over  one  liunilreil  persons.  AnioU'^ 
tlieni  arc  forty  females,  and  many 
men  of  fatnilies.  lie  U  particular  tii 
employ  only  those  of  a  liii;h  moral 
character,  and  possesNlni!  intelligence 
and  education,  JIauy  teachers  are 
fotuid  111  hi8  corps  of  workers.  With- 
out strong  practical  coininon-seuse, 
constant  (lilisence,  perseverance,  ami 
sound  judgment,  Mr.  Clu\pniau  would 
have  failed.  Ills  successes  applaud 
hiiu  more  than  our  words.  In  Jlay, 
18.')0,  Mr.  Cliapinan  married  Laura  6. 
Bowlcer.  They  have  two  ilaughtors, 
Alice  O.  and  Laura  Appleton. 

Hon.  E.  K.  Ciiai'in.  —lie  was  born 
at  Venice,  Cayuga  Countv,  X,  V.,  July 
14.  ISiJU,  and  in  1887,  with  his  parents, 
removed  to  Aurelius,  near  Auluu'u, 
N.Y,,  wlier  he  remained  till  Oclolicr, 
18.">4,  when  ho  came  to  Wisconsin,  first 
sottiins  at  Oconomewoe,  and  removed 
to  Columbus  in  January,  18)0,  where 
lie  has  since  resided.  He  receivei!  an 
academic  education.  By  professlm  he 
Is  a  lawyer.  For  years  ho  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Democratic  State  Cen- 
tral Committee,  and  in  that  capacity 
has  entered  into  state  and  national 
canvasses  with  speech,  pen,  and  purse, 
to  reclaim  the  state  ami  nation  from 
the  theories  and  aims  advocated  by  the 
Republican  party,  .as  oppiised  to  the 
broad  democratic  principles  of  govern- 
ment early  establislied  and  advocated 
by  Jefferson  and  the  fathers.  He  lia> 
attended  as  a  delegate  from  Columbin 
County,  and  participated  in  every  Dem- 
ocratic State  Convention  since  IS."). 
Hia  political  cimrse  has  been  lilieral 
and  progressive,  aiul  in  the  convention 
held  at  Milwaukee  in  18il!>,  l)y  which 
Hon.  C.  D.  Uobinson  of  Gre(>n  IJay  was 
nominated  f,ir  governor,  Mr.  ('hapin, 
in  conjunction  witli  a  number  of 
prominent  men,  including  Gov.  Taylor, 
insisted  upon  a  platform  of  principles 
indicating  the  new  departure,  that  ulti- 
mately overthrew  the  Jtepublieau  party 
in  Wisconsin.  During  the  war  of  the 
Bebellion,  ho  contributed  time  and 
money  to  sustain  the  government,  aiul 
not  tiie  political  party  in  the  ascen- 
dency, firmly  believing  that  military 
force  must  be  met  by  military  force, 
and  a  rebellion  "  against  the  powers 
tliat  bo "  must  be  promptly  mot  and 


suppressed,  lln  wa«  opposed  to  any  act 
indicating  a  repudiation  of  the  na- 
tional debt,  or  an  assumption  of  the 
rebel  debt,  or  any  part  thereof,  by 
the  United  States.  lie  lias  ever  held 
ail  aversicni  to  tlie  manner  of  "  running 
iiK^n  for  office,"  that  so  largely  pre- 
vails in  this  country.  He  has  seldom 
permitted  his  name  to  be  placed  npon 
a  ticket  for  any  office,  althiMigh  ottea 
urged  by  his  frleinls  to  so  do;  yet  he 
has  licld  various  local  offices  of  a  non- 
partisan cliaracter,  and  was  placed  la 
those  posiiioiiH  by  the  aid  of  Itepubllcan 
votes.  In  April,  1874,  he  was  appointid 
by  Gov.  Taylor  as  a  member,  and  Is 
now  vice-president,  of  the  State  board 
of  (;harities  and  Ueform.  As  a  mem- 
ber of  tills  board,  lie  conducted,  in  be- 
half of  the  Stale,  the  investigation  of 
tlie  management  of  the  Stale  Prison, 
and  the  Institute  for  tlic  I'^ducation  of 
the  Deaf  and  l>umb.  He  is  one  of  the 
commissioners  named  by  the  legislature 
of  1S74-77  to  consider  tiie  feasibility  of 
the  removal  of  the  State  Prison  from 
Waiipun.  Mr.  Cliapin  does  not  allow 
Ills  public  duties  to  interfere  with  his 
professional  labors;  and,  coiisei|Uontly, 
lie  enjoys  an  extended  and  lucrative 
practice.  As  a  lawyer,  he  stands  among 
llie  first  of  the  profession,  .and  is  iiold 
in  high  reputation  as  a  citizen, 

G,  B.  CoNODON.  —  He  was  born  in 
Otisco,  Onondaga  County,  N.Y.,  April 
0. 183.").  His  father  dii'd  ili  1842.  leaving 
liis  mother  with  a  largo  family,  ami 
liiriteil  means  with  which  to  provide 
for  them.  Ily  lier  wise,  economical 
management,  slie  kept  them  all  together 
until  they  were  able  to  do  for  them- 
selves. At  the  age  of  twelve  ho  began 
life  for  himself  as  a  picker-boy  in  Har- 
lem Mill.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he 
came  to  Beaver  Dam,  Wis,,  where  he 
followed  various  occupations  until  lS.")i), 
when  lie  engaged  in  banking,  wliicli 
pniv(!d  disastrous,  owing  to  the  break- 
ing-out of  tlio  Itebelliou,  and  rlepreci.i- 
lion  of  Soutliorii  State  stock.  From 
18iil,  to  May,  1803,  ho  was  engaged  in 
the  United  States  mustering-offlce  at 
Madison,  where  lie  received  appiiint- 
ment  as  paymaster  in  the  army,  and 
served  in  this  capacity  until  close  of 
the  war,  when  he  resigned,  came  home, 
and  purchased  an  interest  in  mills,  with 
which  he  is  still  connected,  and  has 
from  lh.at  time  been  manager  of  an 
institution  which  is  a  credit  to  the 
wiiollcn  industry  of  Wisconsin.  It 
may  be  truly  said  of  Jtr.  Congdon,  that 
he  is  an  economical  and  an  Industrious 
man,    always    actively    interested    iu 


772 


niSTORT  OF  W /SCONS IN. 


every  cnforpriso  tliiit  It  productlvo  of 
thv  linuiu'lal,  pdiimtiuual,  ami  moral 
good  of  the  iieople. 

Hon.  Lkandkii  F.  Fnisiiv.  —  He 
wiiH  lioni  ill  Mpsopotntniii,  Tnimbull 
Cuiity,  C).,  .Jiiii,"  lit,  1H-J5.  Hit  fulhiM- 
was  a  faniuT,  and  i'iiiigrat('<l  to  Ohio 
from  CaHllcion,  Vt..  In  IH17,  and  set- 
tlod  in  Mctopilaniia.  In  ourly  iifo 
Mr.  Frld)y  iaborod  dililns:  tlio  suuinipr 
on  hit  fiitliur't  farm,  and  in  winter 
attended  the  distriet  scliool,  thercl)y 
eociirini{  the  riidimonta  of  an  odtica- 
tlon.  IJetcrirlinod  to  aivpiire  a  thor- 
ourIi  inlelleetiial  cnlturo  sucli  as  liit 
father  wat  unable  to  ftlvo,  he  left  the 
farm  wlien  abont  Bevcnteon  yoart  of 
ago,  and  loarned  the  \v,ai<on-makor't 
tra<le,  duiiiij;  which  lime  Ik.-  pursued 
lilt  Ktudics  ns  best  he  coulil  at  odd 
spoilt,  and  after  the  labors  of  the  day 
had  been  performed.  Subse(iuently  he 
attended  the  Farmlngton  Attailemy 
in  hit  native  county,  paying  for  hi-i 
board  and  tuition  iu  the  iiiean  time  by 
working  at  his  trade  In  oveningt  ami 
during  vacation.  Having  eompletod 
bU  academleal  course,  ho  determined 
to  seek  his  fortune  farther  west,  and 
In  September,  18(34,  emigrated  to  this 
State,  which  hat  ever  since  been  his 
home.  He  reached  Sheboygan  with 
scarcely  a  dollar  in  his  pocket,  made 
Ills  way  to  Fond  du  Jjac,  where  he  im- 
mediately fell  sick  of  chill-fever,  which 
lasted  several  months.  Uestituto  as  he 
was,  before  he  was  scarcely  abli;  to 
stand  ho  sought  work  at  his  trade, 
and,  falling  to  find  It,  worked  ut  the 
cooper's  trade  for  a  while,  with  no  other 
compen'-.il  ion  than  his  board.  On 
learning  that  his  trade  was  in  some 
demand  at  Beaver  Dam,  he  borrowed 
Jlfly  ceiit.1.  and  started  for  that  jiiace  in 
March,  1817.  He  was  fortunate  enough 
to  get  a  free  ride  to  within  about  ten 
miles  of  his  destination,  where  he 
stopped  over  night,  paying  hit  little 
plltaneo  for  his  .supper  and  lodging. 
The  next  morning  he  started  on  foot 
without  breakf.ist.  He  obtained  em- 
ployment for  a  portion  of  his  time. 
From  this  he  went  to  .lanesvillc  in  the 
following  .luly,  ami  there  worked  at 
hit  trade  until  the  month  of  October, 
when  he  went  to  Spring  Prairie,  an(l 
taught  a  scho<d  for  one  year.  In  the  fall 
of  1848  he  went  to  Burlington,  and 
opened  an  academic  school  m  the  old 
Burlington  Academy.  About  this  time 
he  commenced  the  study  of  law,  which 
ho  pursued  with  diligenco  during  his 
leisure,  for  about  two  years,  during 
which  time  he  tatight  school.    Ho  was 


admitted  to  the  bar  In  the  fall  of  1850. 
lAfterthithe  settled  lit  the  village  of 
West  Bond,  where  ho  has  ever  since 
resided.  He  was  marrleil  In  18>4  to 
Francis  E.  Hooker  of  Burlington,  Wis. 
Though  never  a  professional  politician, 
.Mr.  Frisby  has  alw.iys  taken  a  decided 
stanil  upon  all  the  political  <|uestii)ni 
of  the  day.  From  liis  boyhood,  and 
ilurlng  the  long  and  trying  contest 
with  the  slave-power,  ho  lias  been  one 
of  Its  uncompromising  opponents.  In 
his  early  manhood  he  wat  a  Froesoller, 
but  lia:<  been  nn  (earnest  advocate  of 
(he  llepubllcan  party  since  its  organ- 
isation, and  was  one  of  the  secretaries 
of  the  tirst  Hepuldlcau  State  Conven- 
tion held  in  VVisconsin.  In  18.")3  ho 
was  elected  district-attorney,  wlilch 
oftlce  he  held  for  two  yeurs.  In  1857 
he  wat  aiipoinled  county  judge  by  Gov. 
Bashfoni,  and  served  out  an  unexpired 
term.  In  18(10  ho  was  elected  to  the 
legislature  by  a  large  majority,  not- 
wilhstaiiding  the  fiict  that  the  regular 
l!epul)l  lean  ticket  did  not  receive  one- 
third  of  the  votes  in  the  district  from 
which  he  was  olecteil.  The  same  year 
ho  was  'liso  a  delegate  to  the  Uepub- 
lican  National  Convention  at  Chicago, 
and  wat  one  of  Us  acting  secretaries. 
In  18il8  ho  was  nominated  for  Con- 
gress by  the  llepubllcan  party  of  tho 
Fourth  Congressional  District,  but  was 
defeated.  Tlie  same  year  he  was  one 
of  tho  presidential  electors  on  tiie 
Uepublican  ticlcet.  In  1872  was  a  del- 
egate to  the  Uepublican  National  Con- 
vention held  at  Philadelphia.  In  I87.i 
ho  received  the  nomination  for  attor- 
ney-general upun  till!  Uepublican  State 
ticket;  an<l  though  defeated,  with  tho 
balance  of  his  ticket,  hit  run  in  his 
own  county  was,  perhaps,  •.vitiioiit 
parallel  In  the  politii  al  history  of  tho 
State,  receiving  a  n-.ajority  of  six  hun- 
dred and  twenty-seven  votes,  wliilo  tho 
balance  of  bit  ticket  wat  defeated  In 
the  county  by  l.b71  majority,  aiul  ho 
led  his  ticket  throughout  the  State. 
This  home-Indorsement  produced  (|uilo 
a  sensation  at  the  time,  and  tells  inoro 
of  Mr.  Frlsby's  pi^rsonal  merit  than 
volumes  of  b'  '^'raphy. 

As  a  lawyer,  .Mr.  Frisby  stands  In  tho 
front  rank  of  his  profession  in  tho 
.State,  and  has  long  enjoyed  a  large 
and  lucrative  pniclieo.  He  is  at  pres- 
ent the  senior  member  of  the  lixw-lirm 
of  Frisby,  Weil,  and  Barney.  He  has 
acquired  his  prominence  as  a  lawyer, 
rather  than  as  a  politician;  for,  since 
his  admission  to  the  b.ar,  ho  has  been 
constant  la  practice.    Mr.  Frlsby's  life 


HISTORY  OF  WlSCOXSIlf. 


778 


Is  a  stantllng  oxaraplo  to  tlio  young 
iiivM  of  our  ijtiito,  of  wliiit  may  bu 
a(!<'omiillslieil  by  luiliittry  and  lulo.;rily, 
uvcii  under  the  most  (lUcoiirajiin'^  clr- 
c'limrilaiu'es  of  poverty  ami  want  of 
opportunity.  Il(i  Is  inor«  than  a  solf- 
inadu  man,  inasmucli  as  hi;  not  only 
rai'ved  out  his  ow'.  Kood  nami!  and 
fortune,  but  aUo  liclped  others  in  tlicdr 
Mtru;.;gle.-i.  Indu^itry,  intoKrlty,  coni- 
bini'd  with  the  better  nualitioH  of  the 
heaif  ami  heart,  make  up  the  eharueter 
of  liim  who  stands  among  Ihu  leadin;{ 
men  of  the  State. 

Kev.  Ai.kiiisd  Buu.nsos,  A.m., 
D.  1).  —  lie  was  boru  In  D.iubury,  Falr- 
lield  County,  Slate  of  Cunneolicut, 
Feb.  1),  171»:t.  Ills  education  was  sueh 
as  could  be  obtained  lu  the  common 
schools  of  those  limes.  In  18(K)  \i'n 
father  moved  to  Sing  Slu!;,  S.Y.,  on 
I  lie  Hudson  Uiver,  whore  ho  was 
ilrowned  lu  18U0,  when  his  mother 
moved  back  to  Danhury  with  seven 
children,  of  whom  Alfred  was  the  el- 
dest, then  thirteen  years  of  age.  lie 
was  ihen  placed  uiuler  the  earo  of  his 
uncle  *o  learn  the  Nhoemaking  trade, 
where  hi  remained  for  tlve  years.  He 
had  a  toite  for  reading,  and  an  ambi- 
tion to  pursue  Homo  lilgher  callin;^ 
than  his  trade.  Iteading  and  hearing; 
of  Roger  Sherman,  tlio  celebrated 
statesnian,  who  was  of  the  same  trade, 
he  felt  an  ambition  to  follow  his  steps, 
.and  leave  the  world  the  bolter  for  liav- 
ing  llvcil  in  It.  To  accomplish  this 
object,  nice  Ariult,  he  planned  to  study 
and  practise  law,  and  it  a  war  oc- 
curred, which  t!io  cigus  of  the  times 
strongly  indicated,  to  share  in  Its  dan- 
gers, and.  If  possible,  In  its  glories.  In 
the  fall  of  1808,  having  a  disagreumeiu 
with  his  uncle,  he  started  for  Ohio, 
where  he  ha<l  another  uncle.  lie  re- 
mained a  while  at  Carlhde,  Penn.,  and, 
finding  himself  not  perfect  as  a  work- 
man, received  instructions  until  lie 
became  very  thorough  in  his  trade. 
He  had  been  religiously  iucliued  from 
the  time  of  his  father's  death;  and 
now,  being  lu  a  Methodist  family,  he 
attended  church  with  tliem,  and  was 
thoroughly  awakened,  and  on  Feb.  :i, 
1800,  was  converted  to  God.  Soon 
after  this,  he  felt  called  of  God  to 
preach,  and,  joining  that  church,  aban- 
doned his  former  plans,  and  devoted  hin 
time  in  preparing  I'or  the  ministry.  In 
the  fall  of  1800  he  returned  to  Con- 
necticut. He  stoppeii  iu  Bridgeport, 
and  informiHl  liis  motlier  and  undo  of 
his  whereabouts,  and  paid  tlie  latter 
for  thu  balance  of  hid  time,  and  contin- 


ued to  live  liero,  where  the  way  opencid 
up  for  lilm  to  commeiu;o  pnbllo  reli- 
gious services,  as  he  was  licens(!d  U)  ex- 
hort. In  181 1  he  married,  and  oiteneil 
a  shop  for  business ;  but  the  war  of  18 1  i 
so  interfereil,  that  ho  removed  to  Ohio, 
to  work  on  a  farm.  Itcalizlng  his  inso- 
ciirlty  on  tlie  frontier,  ho  entered  the 
army,  under  (}en.  Harrison,  In  181.% 
for  ii  year.  He  was  at  the  taking  of 
Maiden,  and  retaking  of  Detroit.  At 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service, 
he  returned  home,  and  In  ISl.')  was 
licensed  to  preach.  In  1818  he  formed 
a  new  circuit  in  Huron  County,  Ohio, 
where,  lu  six  monthn,  he  established 
twenty-four  appointments,  and  gath- 
ered up  a  hundred  and  lll'ty  niembera. 
His  next  circuit  was  lu  the  luirth-west 
part  of  TennsylvaiUa;  was  four  liiin- 
dred  mlle-i  round,  having  forty-foui" 
appointments  to  illl  in  four  weeks. 
He  had  a  colleague,  and  they  had  th.oe 
hundred  conversions  as  tlie  fruit  of 
their  labor.  In  1820  ho  joined  the 
Ohio  Annual  Conftronce.  The  Pitts- 
burg (I'enn. )  Conference  was  organ- i 
ized  iu  1825,  with  which  he  was 
connected.  Ho  travelhid  extensively 
through  this  re-^ion  of  countr>,  preach- 
ing with  great  success,  and  literally 
"  contending  for  the  faith  that  was 
once  delivered  unto  the  saints."  la 
the  mean  time,  he  formed  a  knowledge 
of  jurisprudence  necessary  to  a  wise 
administration  of  discipline,  and  for 
four  years  read  law,  not  anticipating 
admission  to  the  bar.  In  18:il  the 
Meadville  College  was  offered  for  the 
patroiuigo  of  the  conference  to  whicli 
he  belonged.  The  oiler  was  accepted ; 
and  lie  \/as  appointed  on  that  district, 
in  order  that  his  valuable  services 
might  bo  given  for  the  benetit  of  tlie 
Institution.  In  18:15  he  learned  of 
the  sad  condition  of  the  Indians  on  the 
Upper  Mississippi,  and  determined  to 
press  his  way  toward  these  and  other 
poor  sufferers.  He  entered  Wisconsin 
on  the  "i-Mli  of  October  of  the  same 
year.  He  was  then  presiding  elder  of 
a  district  extending  from  Rock  Island 
to  the  lieail  of  the  Mississippi,  Includ- 
ing the  Indian  Mission.  Ho  concluded, 
in  looking  for  a  place  to  locate  his 
family,  that,  as  Prairie  du  Cliieii  seemed 
to  be  tho  outpost  of  civilization.  It 
would  not  be  wise  to  go  beyond. 
He  could  not  find  a  suitable  hoiise  to 
rout;  and,  material  for  building  and 
labor  costing  sncli  an  enormous  sum, 
he  wrote  homo  to  liis  wife,  who  con- 
tracted for  a  boat,  and  material  pre- 
pared and  ready  to  be  put  togetlier,  to 


774 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


be  moved  with  the  family.  He  reached 
home  the  followhi!;  Fol>rnary,  to  liiiil 
that  his  faithful  wife  had  made  all 
necessary  prcpaiatioii.s.  During  tliis 
journey  home,  lie  encountered  some 
serious  difficulties  in  fording  sitreams, 
and  amonj;  wolves,  but  was  providen- 
tially preserved  from  the  violence  of 
eitlier.  In  June,  1880,  he  put  tlie  ma- 
terial for  tlio  house  into  the  boat,  witli 
two  families  beside  his  own;  descended 
French  Creek  and  the  Alleghany  Uiver 
to  Pittsburg.  There  he  tied  to  a  steam- 
boat, and  was  towed  to  St.  Louis. 
Then  he  tied  to  anotlier  steamer,  and 
was  towed  to  Prairie  du  (Jliien,  nine- 
teen hundred  .and  fifty  miles  by  water 
from  Meadville.  He  re.iched  his  des- 
tination .July  10,  183(1.  Owing  to  the 
pressing  w.ints  of  the  district,  tlie  liouse 
was  noif  erected  until  tlie  next  spring. 
He  wiv*  th(!  first  Metliodist  preacher  wlu) 
ever  set  foot  on  the  soil  north  of  the 
Wisconsin  Uiver.  In  18:!9  he  was  com- 
pelled to  resign  his  ministerial  labors 
because  of  ill  health.  Being  now  witli- 
out  income,  he  accepted  several  offices 
of  low  grade,  and,  being  desirous  to 
attend  to  matters  in  court,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  on  the  ground  of 
his  former  law-reading,  and  practised 
for  ten  years.  In  1840  he  was  elected 
to  tlie  Territorial  legislature.  In  1842 
he  was  appointed  Indian  agent  at  La 
Pointe  in  Lake  Superior.  In  1840  his 
wife,  two  daughters,  and  son-in-law 
died.  In  1850  lie  was  a  candidate  for 
the  circuit  judgesliip,  but  was  defealed 
by  those  who  guarded  tlie  rum-traffic 
lie  returned  to  the  ministry,  and  was 
appointed  at  Mineral  Point.  In  IS.j ! 
he  was  made  presiding  eldi'r  of  Praiiie 
du  Chien  district,  wliich  included  an 
extensive  territory.  Under  his  admin- 
istration, it  was  made  to  flourish,  and 
bear  precious  fruit,  and,  .at  the  close  of 
)iis  term  of  service,  was  divided  into  two 
districts.  In  185(1  lie,  with  m.any  oth- 
ers, invested  largely  in  railroad  stock, 
being  deceived  bv false  reiiresentations, 
and  lost  all  tliey  h.a<l.  In  1802  '.e  was 
made  chaplain  in  the  army;  \. cut  as 
far  as  Kentucky,  where  he  was  taken 
ill,  and  was  compidled  to  resign  his 
position.  In  18(17,  having  partially  re- 
covered, lie  was  made  ellcctive  in  the 
ministry,  and  was  made  presiding  eUh'r 
of  a  district,  but  was  snbseipiently 
twice  re-apppolnted  to  other  districts. 
At  the  close  of  his  four-years'  service, 
lie  was  compelled  to  retire  on  account 
of  ill  health. 

During  his  ministry,   lie    has  been 
sixteen  years  a  presiding  elder,  and  a 


delegate  to  tlio  General  Conference 
four  times;  has  written  mucli  for  both 
religious  and  secular  journals  ;  assisted 
ill  building  .about  tliirty  cliurches;  has 
been  instrumental  in  saving  many 
souls;  has  preached  thousands  of  ser- 
mons; and  now,  in  liis  eiglity-third 
year,  can  look  back  over  sixty  years  of 
honest  endeavors  to  serve  God  "witli 
a  perfect  lieart  and  a  willing  mind," 
having  no  regrets,  except  that  he  has 
not  done  more  good,  and  lived  more 
holy;  and  is  now  waiting  tlie  call  of 
his  divine  Master  to  a  better  and  hap- 
pier clime. 

J/rs.  Emma  JirunKon.  —  She  was 
born  in  Fairfield,  near  Bridgcpoi't, 
Conn.,  Jan.  21,  1701.  Uer  maiden 
name  was  Burr.  Slie  w.os  a  distant 
relative  of  Aaron  Burr.  Slie  was  mar- 
ried to  Alfred  Hrunson  in  August.  1811, 
and  emigrated  with  her  husliand  to 
Trunibuil  County,  Ohio,  in  1818.  Her 
husband  becoming  a  Metliodist  min- 
ister in  181;i,  slie  was  m.ade  subject  to 
freiiuent  removals,  and  shared  with 
him  the  toils  and  the  privations  of  his 
life.  During  her  married  life,  slie  re- 
sided in  Painesville,  Voungstown,  and 
Hubbard,  in  Ohio,  Detroit  in  Micliigan, 
Alleghany  City  and  Meadville,  Peuii., 
and  Piaii-ic  du  Cliion,  Wis.  In  18;l(J 
she  removed  to  tiie  last-named  place. 
.She  died  in  that  village,  in  1810,  at 
the  age  of  *;fly-five.  Slio  was  the 
mother  of  eight  eliildien,  all  of  whom 
attained  their  majority.  Jlrs.  Brunson 
was  an  intelligent,  motlierly  woman, 
inw,  who  synipatliizod  deejily  with  the 
afflicted.  She  often  invited  to  her 
house  young  men  wlio  were  sick,  and 
away  from  their  own  lioine,  and  nursed 
tlii'in  with  a  motiier's  care.  By  hur 
alfectiouate  kindess  and  attention,  she 
obtained  the  cognomen  of  "Mother 
Brunson."  She  was  universally  re- 
spected and  beloved  by  all  who  were 
acquainted  wiiii  her.  F(Uir  of  her 
children  are  still  living.  Judge  Ira  B. 
Brunson  is  tlio  only  one  residing  In 
this  State.  One  of  her  daughters,  the 
wile  of  the  late  Thomas  P.  Burnet, 
dieil  the  s.amo  day  that  her  liusband 
died,  and  three  weelis  after  her  niolh- 
er's  death. 

Oni.ANDO  W.  WiCiiiT.  A.M..  M.D.— 
He  was  bom  in  Centreville,  Alleghany 
County,  N.y.,  l<Vb.  10.  1824.  His 
father  was  a  native  of  New  Kngland, 
and  a  descendant  of  Thomas  Wight, 
wlio  emigrated  fiiun  the  Isle  of  Wight 
in  1037,  and  settled  at  Dedliam,  Mass. 
His  mother  was  a  Van  Hureii,  an<l  was 
related  to  the  ex-presldont.     When  a 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


775 


boy,  lie  worked  on  his  ftitlier's  farm. 
At  the  a!j;e  of  ten  he  liad  mastered  the 
brandies  then  taui;ht  in  tlic  district 
scliooi.  Two  years  later  he  attended 
a  select  school.  At  the  a^e  of  (ifteeii 
he  removed  to  Westlield,  Chaulanqna 
County,  Willi  his  father's  family  ;  after 
teacliin,!^  a  short  time,  resumed  his 
'/udies  at  Westtield  Academy.  Dr. 
Wight  sr.iduated  at  the  a^e  of  twenty, 
at  tiie  Colle'^iate  Institute  in  Koclies- 
tor,  after  wliich  he  taught  for  one  year 
in  the  CJptioa  Academy,  Cayu-ia  County. 
Soon  afl<'r.  he  received  a  professorship 
in  tlie  Cayutja  Aca<lemy,  located  at 
Aurora.  Tiie  followinvc  year  he  be- 
came president  of  tlie  Auburn  Female 
Seminary.  His  connection  witli  this 
8clio(d  was  of  .short  duration,  on  ac- 
count of  the  trustees  of  the  seminary 
differiiiic  in  relisious  views  with  the 
newly  elected  pri!sident.  He  then  went 
to  New  York  City,  where  lie  engaged 
work  in  tlic  literary  de])artment  of 
"  Tiie  Democratic  Ueview."  Soon  af 'er, 
he  liad  similar  work  on  "Tlie  Wlilg  Ke- 
7lew."  lie  was  successful  in  this  new 
vocation.  He  completi^d  a  theoiosical 
course,  and  w.is  orilained  by  the  I{ev. 
Dr.  E.  H.  Chapin,  but  declined  to  sub- 
scribe to  any  creed.  .Soon  after,  he 
took  cliarue  of  a  religious  society  in 
Newark,  N..I.,  his  connrrgation  beiim 
made  up  of  I'nitarians,  Universallsts, 
and  Swedeuborij'.ins.  A*  tlie  end  of 
three  years,  he  left  Xew.aik,  and 
moved  to  Boston.  In  ISo;'  lie  made 
his  (irst  trip  to  Europe.  In  il'o  follow- 
ing year,  he  returned  home,  ■■'here  he 
remaiiieil  but  a  .short  time  before  re- 
turnin'4  to  Europe.  He  was  .ibroad 
four  years,  and  visited  lJe|i;lum,  Fraife, 
Gerinaiiy.  Switzerland,  Italy,  and  ntlier 
places.  On  his  r' turn,  he  settled  near 
New  York  ("ity.  In  ]8(il  Dr.  \Vi','bt 
was  offered  the  mission  to  Switz-erlaiid 
by  Mr.  Seward,  but  declined  Uio  a|)- 
poiiitmi'iit.  In  ISO:!  lie  reiiiovi'd  t'> 
Oarlioiidale,  I'enr.,  haviiiii  previously 

iiurcliased  tlic!  famous  Meieditli  (state. 
:Ie  remained  here  two  years,  and  took 
a  somewliat  active  ji.art  in  tlie  polities 
of  that  Slate.  At  tlie  close  of  the  war, 
he  came  to  Oconomewoc-,  ^Vi■».,  wl'ere 
ho  refilled  four  years,  and  praeti-''(l 
meiiiciiie.  Ill  1871  ho  removed  to  Mli 
M'aliUee,  wliere  lie  still  lives.  lie  is 
now  sui-;,'eoii-i;eneral  on  (iov.  Taylor's 
staff,  aiicl  Is  tiie  present  State  geolo'^ist. 
Dr.  Wi'^lit  possesses  fjrijat  powers  of 
endurance,  and  employs  his  energy  in 
constant  work. 

KnwAiii)  S.  Bn.voo.  —  lie  w.as  born 
In  Orange  County,  N.Y.,  Feb.  liO,  1827. 


He  att<'nded  Ilobart  College,  Geneva, 
N.Y.,  for  three  years,  and  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar  at  Norwich,  Ciienango 
County,  N.Y.,  in  1848.  In  1850  he 
came  to  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.,  where  he 
has  ever  since  resided,  taking  an  active 
jiiacc  at  the  bar,  and  an  important 
position  in  the  general  enterprise  of 
tbat  city.  In  1354  he  was  elected 
district-attorney;  and  in  ISdl,  when 
the  initrmurings  of  civil  war  began  to 
be  atidibli!,  ho  was  among  the  very  first 
to  declare  himself  unaltiM'ably  for  the 
ITiiion,  and  to  enlist  in  its  cause.  Upon 
the  occasion  of  the  first  war-meeting  in 
Fond  dii  Eac,  when  many  of  his  politi- 
cal friends  were  lukewarm  and  hesi- 
tating, he  made  a  speech  which  is 
pronounced  as  having  been  tlie  first 
great  effort  of  his  life.  It  was  indeed 
powerful,  and  resulted  in  calling  many 
strong  hearts  around  the  standard  of 
the  Union.  Shortly  .after,  lie  enlisted 
in  tiie  service,  and  was  .appointed  to  a 
captaincy.  IIi;  promptly  raised  a  com- 
pany for  the  Sixth  liegiineiit  Wiscon- 
sin Volunteer  Infantry.  His  luiiitary 
record  is  identical  with  tliat  of  the 
regiment  nanieil,  and  is  so  well  known 
to  the  people  of  the  State  as  not  to  re- 
rpiire  repetition  here.  IJy  well-earned 
promotion  he  filled,  in  regular  advance- 
ment, every  lield-offlce  in  tlie  regiment, 
and  was  finally  commissioned  a  liriga- 
dier-general  by  the  President.  He  com- 
manded the  famous  "Iron  Brigade" 
of  the  Army  of  tlie  I'otoni.ac;  and 
tlie  enthusiastic  .admiration  ex|)ressed 
for  him  by  all  of  his  old  comradi's  bears 
abundant  testimony  to  his  mauly  and 
soldierly  <|Ualitles. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  he  resumed 
the  practice  of  his  jirofe-^sion  in  Fcuid 
du  Lac.  In  l,S(!8-li!)  he  represented  in 
tlio  Slate  .senate  tlie  sen.atorial  district 
consisting  of  Fond  du  Lac  County. 
In  1871  he  was  tlie  Democratic  candi- 
date for  attorney-generai  on  the  State 
ticket,  and  in  bis  own  county  and  the 
adjoining  one  of  Caliiinet.  His  per- 
sonal popularity  gave  liim  hundreds  of 
vote  beyond  his  party-strengtii.  Gen. 
Bragg's  reputation  as  a  lawyer  is  not 
coniiiied  to  the  State.  His  mind  is  emi- 
nently a  legal  one, — clear,  f.ir-siglited, 
and  logical.  In  addition  to  Ills  legal 
attainments,  he  lias  remarkable  or.atori- 
cal  abilities,  and,  as  an  advocate  before 
a  jury,  has  no  superior  in  tlie  State, 
(ien.  Br.agg  is  small  of  stature,  but  well 
proportioned,  firmly  knit,  and  with  an 
iron  consfitntion. 

.losEi'ii  E.  ILvnuiMAN.  —  He  was 
born  at  Louisville,  St,  liawrenee  Couu- 


776 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


ty,  N.Y.,  Aug.  Irt,  l.Sn4.  He  came  to 
Wisconsin  in  May,  ISiVi.  lie  resided 
in  Wahvurlli  Cnunly  during  18."i:i-.")3, 
and  attended  Milton  Collobje  durin;^ 
18.J+-55.  lie  settled  in  Appletou  in 
1850,  wlieie  lie  still  resides.  In  1850- 
57  he  was  a  successful  siudent  at 
Lawrence  University.  Studied  law 
with  Jewctt  and  Iludil  in  ]8.)8-.J0.  and 
witli  the  late  Jud'j;e  (Jotton  of  Green 
Bay  in  1808;  and  was  adniilted  to  the 
bar,  wliero  he  has  distinguished  liiin- 
self  not  less  for  his  integrity  than  for 
his  ability.  He  has  held  many  posi- 
tions of  trust,  and  in  187:!  was  elected 
county  judge  for  Outagamie  Coiuity,  for 
a  term  of  four  years.  lu  politics  he  is 
a  Liberal  Republican. 

IlEV.  Joseph  E.  Inisii.  —  He  was 
born,  Aug.  7,  18.33,  in  Paris,  Oneida 
County,  N.Y.  Ho  was  the  third  son 
of  Daniel  and  Edna  Irish.  His  ances- 
tors on  l)oth  sides  were  among  tlie  first 
settlers  in  New  England.  In  1835  his 
parents  removed  to  Wesleyville,  Penn., 
where  they  remained  until  tlie  summer 
of  1837,  whe]\  they  returned  to  New 
Yorlc,  and  settled  at  Perryville,  Madi- 
son County.  Here  he  passed  his  boy- 
hood, regul.irly  attending  the  district 
scliool;  and  in  1849-.VJ  studied  at  the 
Oneida  Conference  .Seminary  at  Caze- 
novia,  ranking  his  fellow-students  in 
the  study  of  mathematics.  In  the 
winter  of  1849-.")(),  at  the  age  of  si.\(ei}n, 
he  engaged  in  teacliing  at  the  head  of 
Cazenovia  Lake,  and  the  following 
winter  pursued  the  same  employment 
near  New  Haven,  (Joini. 

In  May,  1851,  ho  came  to  Wisconsin, 
and  .settled  at  Sextonville,  HIcliland 
County,  at  that  time  a  new  and  sparse- 
ly-settled ri'gion.  Here  he  soon  after 
became  actively  engaged  in  surveying, 
for  which  his  previcms  studies  had 
fitted  him ;  and,  soon  after  he  became 
of  age,  was  eieeted  county  surveyor, 
holding,  also,  the  office  of  town  clerk 
of  the  town  in  wliich  lie  resided.  A 
very  large  i)roi)orliiiii  of  the  roads  and 
villages  in  that  jiart  of  the  State  were 
surveyed  by  him,  and  ho  was  also 
actively  connected  witli  the  survey  of 
the  railroad  betw(!en  Madison  and 
Prairie  du  ("liien.  .Inly  12,  1S.")5,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Lucy  E.  Urillon, 
a*  that  I  i;ne  of  Lacrosse,  but  formerly  of 
Uichland  (,'onn(y,  and  by  whovi  he  has 
liad  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  living. 
His  union  wilh  Miss  Dritton  proved  to 
be  eminenlly  satisfactory  ;  and  the 
mutual  affection  existing  between  Ihem 
remained  in  brightness  until  the  close 
.of  her  life.    lu  the  summer  of  1858,  a 


remark.ible  revival  of  religion  broke 
out  in  Richland  County;  and  Mr.  Irish 
became  one  of  the  converts.  The 
scepticism  of  his  previous  life  g.ave 
way;  and  he  cml)raced  wilh  ardor  the 
faith  of  the  irosj)ol,  and  very  soon  after 
joiiieil  the  M-jJliodist-Episcopal  Church, 
and  began  to  preach.  In  the  fall  of 
18.M),  at  the  session  of  the  West  Wis- 
consin Conference  at  Platteville,  being 
urged  thereto  by  the  church  and  his 
own  convictiims,  he  was  received  on 
trial,  and  appointed  to  Varoqua  in 
Vernon  County,  as  his  first  circuit. 

The  itinerant  system  of  the  Method- 
ist Church  has  been  the  means  of 
repeatedly  changing  the  field  of  his 
labors  from  that  time;  so  that  he  has 
been  personally  identified  with  the  in- 
terests of  many  portions  of  the  State. 

He  w.as  appointed  presiding  elder  of 
the  St.  Croix  District,  and  removed  to 
Hudson,  and  afterwards  to  New  llicli- 
mond.  In  the  fall  of  1871,  while 
.actively  engaged  in  serving  his  cliureh 
in  this  capacity,  he  was  approached  by 
leading  men  oif  the  district,  ami  nrgeil 
to  accept  the  nominatioi\  of  scn.ator 
for  the  twcnty-fourtli  district  of  the 
State.  This  large  district,  embracing 
eight  counties,  iK-id  such  varied  and 
important  interests  to  subserve,  that 
whoever  represented  it  in  the  legisl.a- 
ture  reiiuired  much  versatility  of 
laleiits,  and  keenne  -s  of  observation,  to 
satisfy  his  ci>n-titnonts.  Hellcving 
that  the  call  was  in  I  lie  line  of  Provi- 
dence, Mr.  lri-.h  accepted  the  nomina- 
tion in  behalf  of  the  Uepublicau  Jiarly, 
and  was  elected  by  the  unprei'edenlod 
majority  of  nearly  two  lhou<aiid  voles. 
It  was  the  lirst  instance  of  a  clergy- 
man ever  having  been  elected  to  the 
senate  of  Wi^cllnsin;  and  Mr.  Iri  li 
I'lilered  upon  the  discharge  of  his 
duties  with  a  strong  de-ire  lo  .advance 
the  interests  of  the  .Slate  by  a  faithful 
and  judl"ii)us  Christian  course. 

The  famous  t,r,iliam  Tempc^ranco 
Bill  f(!Und  in  him  an  ardent  fiiend; 
and  its  pa~-ago  has,  by  its  friends, 
been  often  iiiiputect  largely  lo  his  activ- 
ity and  influeiK'e.  Wliatever  conclu- 
sions may  have  Ix^en  arriveil  at  con- 
cerning the  bearing  of  this  law  on  the 
great  issiii!s  of  temperance,  it  w.as  re- 
garded at  the  time  as  an  essential 
measure  by  temperance  men.  and  was 
llieref.ire  pressed  to  a  su<!C(^ssful  issue. 
During  both  years  ot  Mr.  Iri'li's  ser- 
vice in  llio  senate,  he  served  also  as  its 
chaplain  by  tin!  rci|uesi  of  tbitbody. 
In  the  fall  of  1872  he  was  appointed  bv 
fiov.  Washburn,  chainuiiu  of  the  State 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


777 


Visiting  Committee,  and,  as  such, 
visitod  all  the  charitable  and  penal 
Institntions  of  the  State.  The  ivpoi-t 
of  this  Committee,  while  rocomnicnd- 
inp;  liberal  appropriations  for  the  in- 
stitutions fostered  by  the  Stale,  indi- 
cated a  settled  purpose  to  ignore  any 
claims  from  instihitions  under  the 
care  of  any  roligicms  I'.enomination. 

The  celeljrated  struggle  in  the  legis- 
lature over  the  St.  t'roix  land-^'rant 
transpired  during  the  second  year  of 
Mr.  Irish's  term;  and  Ins  rendered  sig- 
nal service  on  the  side  of  the  N'orih 
Wisconsin  Company,  acting  as  cham- 
pion of  tiieir  bill.  The  rcMilt  of  that 
struggle  has  fully  juslifiod  him  in  the 
course  he  pursued,  Ihcmgh  at  the  time 
a  partisan  spirit  was  evoked  against 
him.  The  Lacrosse  Bridge  I3ill,  which 
was  vetoed  by  the  governor,  and  which 
veto  was  sustained  by  the  votes  of  Mr. 
Irish  and  others,  gave  opportunity  to 
test  the  mettle  of  honest  men.  VVhile 
rumors  of  bribery  and  corruption  were 
rife  during  that  stormy  time,  no  faint- 
est broatii  f'.'ll  upon  Mr.  Irish.  He 
returned  to  his  constituents  with  the 
satisfaction  of  having  done  his  duty. 
Ill  June,  187o,  he  was  appointed  regis- 
ter of  the  United  St.ates  Laiul  Office  at 
Eau  Claire,  and  removed  there  with 
his  fatfiily,  now  decimated  by  death; 
his  wife  having  suddenly  died  the  pre- 
vious winter.  lie  retaiiud  this  ofiice 
until  April,  187,'),  when  he  resigned  the' 
office,  it  interfering  with  his  chosen 
profession  of  minister  of  the  gospel. 
In  .I.anuary,  lS7t,  he  was  again  married 
to  Miss  Isabella  II.  Cobban  of  Eau 
Claire. 

The  appointments  whicli  have  been 
held  by  .Mr.  Irish  both  in  Church  and 
State  indicate  the  esteem  in  which  he 
is  held  and  the  estimate  placed  upon 
his  talents. 

Mr.  Irish  is  tall  and  portly,  of  com- 
manding personal  appearance.  His 
phienologv  and  physiognomy  bptoken 
a  high  order  of  intellect;  and  his  mild 
blue  eye  and  genial  smile  rightly  im- 
press one  with  the  idea  that  there  is  a 
warm  heart  beneath.  lie  Is  exceed- 
ingly iinidest,  and  shrinks  from  making 
himself  prominent  •■iinong  men. 

IIi).\.  l).vvtn  Atwood.i  —  "  lie  was 
born  in  Uedford,  N.ll.,  Dec.  !.■>,  KSI,'). 
He  belongs  to  a  vlgirous  and  long-lived 
family.  Ills  parents  are  nativi's  of  the 
town  of  IJedford ;  and  his  father,  now 
more  than  ninety  years  of  age,  lives  on 

>  Wo  ftro  in<Iol)te<l  to  llio  columns  of  Tlio 
Wuslern  .Moiiilily,  August,  IM'.>,  for  thla 
Rkuiuli.  —  0.  It.  T. 


the  old  homestead.  Tlie  early  history 
of  Gen.  Atwood  is  that  of  all  sturdy 
Xew  England  boys  who  worked  on 
their  fathers'  fanus  in  summer,  and 
attended  the  district  schools  in  winter. 
It  w.as  lu)t  work,  wrestling  with  Nature 
in  those  sultry  days  on  the  stony  hill- 
sides of  a  rough  New  England  farm, 
forcing  the  soil  to  yield  subsistence. 
Cold  and  raw  were  the  autumn 
months,  and  hard  the  struggle  through 
deep  drifts,  and  against  the  blustering 
winter-wind,  on  the  way  to  the  old 
schoolhoiise.  It  seemed  sometimes  as 
if  (dd  Doreas  lurked  about  the  hills  in 
ambush,  waiting  for  a  clianco  to  blow 
away  such  boys  and  girls  as  were  not 
anchored  to  the  earth  with  plenty  of 
bone  and  muscle.  This  course  of  life, 
until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age, 
developed  and  strengthened  hira,  and 
firmly  fixed  those  habits  of  industry 
and  frugality  which  have  given  him 
subseqiK'iit  .uiccess.  lie  thus  became 
litted  for  a  fair  fight  with  the  world. 

"On  arriving  at  the  .age  of  iifteen 
years,  he  took  up  his  residence  in 
Hamilton.  Madison  County,  N.Y., 
and  commenced  work  at  a  printer's 
case.  Five  years  of  assiduous  toil 
intervened  before  he  ag.ain  saw  the 
p.ate.nal  roof-tree,  during  which  tiuio 
lie  had  the  satisfaction  of  becoming 
master  of  his  craft.  For  nearly  three 
years  following,  he  travelled  extcn- 
ively  through  the  South  and  West. 
Muci'.  of  the  time  he  was  in  the 
employ  of  a  printlng-liousi!;  and  his 
business  afforded  him  opportunity  to 
study  the  country,  and  become  faiir'iar 
with  tlie  resources  and  character  of  the 
peo))le.  The  States  of  Kentucky,  Ohio, 
.Michigan,  Indiana,  and  Illinois,  were 
fhoroughly  explored;  and  every  consid- 
erable town  was  visiteil.  Gen.  Atwood 
was  first  introduced  to  Chicago  when 
it  lay  ill  a  swamp,  with  a  main  street 
muddy,  .'ind  almost  impassable,  and  the 
bu  iness  oi  the  town  centred  about  a 
forlorn  wooden  hotel,  not  far  from  the 
Trcinont  House,  but  on  the  opposite 
side  of  Lake  Street.  Declining  a  tempt- 
ing offer  to  engage  In  business  in  Cin- 
cinnati, he  retiiriicd  to  Hamilton,  N.  Y., 
in  lSl3!t,  where  he  undertook  the  publi- 
cation of  a  weekly  newspaper,  called 
'The  Palladium,'  in  conjunction  with 
his  brother.  Among  the  types,  and  as 
a  journalist,  for  five  long  years  he 
labored  on,  through  the  '  haid  cider' 
campaign,  and  until  the  defeat  of 
Henry  Clay. 

"  Some   time  during   these   years  of 
Journalistic  employ,  ho  received  a  com- 


778 


HISTORY  OF   WISCOSSIN. 


mission  as  adjutniit  fmm  liN  Exc«!- 
leney,  <J.)v.  Si'warJ,  iiiul  a  siil)>?ci]U(.'iit 
CDininw-^ion  as  inajir,  duly  coiinlcr- 
shjiiml  by  (rou.  l!iifii-i  Kiiii;.  ailiulaiit- 
poiuM-al,  ami  aflorHanls  cdilDi-  of  'Tlio 
MilwaiikiM'  S;'iiliii<>l,'  and  iniiiistiT  tn 
liDinc.  Uiidi'i'  Ciiv.  Bouck,  lliu  t'alh(!r 
of  Geii.  li  )iick  of  ()>likiw!i,  Major  At- 
wood  was  ('oiniiiissinu,?d  coloiiid  of  a 
roiiiinont  of  militia,  whicli  liocomniaiid- 
ed  foi' several  years,  alteiuliiv^  re2;iilarly 
the  annual  om'anipnieufs  and  tjoneral 
training-i  so  well  remembered  by  New- 
Yorkers  in  '  auld  lanct  syne.' 

"  Finding?  himself  bi-oken  In  health, 
after  the  pnlitieal  campaign  of  1844,  — 
a  earapaiiin  so  gallantly  fousht,  and  so 
foolishly  lost.  — Col.  Atwood  again  set 
his  faeo  westward.  His  newspaper 
had  paid  expenses,  and  nothing  more. 
From  a  z(m1ous  advocacy  of  the  cause 
of  the  famous  Kentuckian  —  which  he 
ardently  espouseil,  and  to  which  he 
gave  five  of  his  best  years  —  he  came 
out  .at)  leu'jth  at  a  pecuniary  sacrifice, 
and  \Vith  health  seriously  impaired. 

"Pushing  into  Illinois,  in  131.'),  he 
was  so  much  attracted  by  the  beauty 
and  fertility  of  the  prairies,  that  he 
at  once  located  .a  farm  near  tlio  city  of 
Freeport.  Two  years  of  more  rugged 
outdoor  occupation  than  had  been  Ids 
wont  —  years  of  brawny  development, 
not  unmixed  with  financial  trouble, 
and  discouriigement  on  account  of  the 
failure  of  crops  — served  to  restore  the 
colonel's  health,  and  to  iniluce  him  to 
ngain  engage  in  editorial  lab;)rs.  Being 
directed  to  Wisconsin  as  a  Territory  of 
thrift  and  promise,  ho  was  induced  to 
establish  himself  at  Madison,  ut  that 
day  the  capital  of  the  Territory,  but  a 
small  and  inconsiderable  village.  At 
once  ho  became  connected  with  'The 
Madison  Express,'  a  Whig  paper,  the 
editorial  labor  and  management  of 
wliich  he  assumed  until  the  autumn 
of  18r)2.  when  he  brought  into  exist- 
ence '  The  Daily  State  .Journal,'  which 
he  lias  ever  since  published.  Having 
carefully  reported  the  proceedings  of 
the  closing  sessions  of  the  Territorial 
legislature  convened  at  Madison,  and 
the  entire  proceedings  of  the  Constitu- 
tional Convention,  he  has  tho  honor 
of  possessing  moro  direct  familiarity 
with  tho  action  of  these  bodies  than 
perhaps  any  man  living.  Ho  wields 
a  ready  pen.  and  has  a  reputation  for 
writing  with  accnr.acy  and  despatch. 
11;^  iial;!t,  he  holds  his  Ideas  In  solu- 
tion, read.'  for  use.  Having  a  retentive 
memory,  c.imbiiied  with  a  skill  to  take 
ou  the  v;iiig  tho  thoughts  that  cross 


his  mental  vision,  and  an  analytical 
mind,  lie  is  enabled  to  ail.nii  tho 
joiiiiia!i;tlc  profession  with  many  and 
valuabli  gifts. 

'•  During  the  term  of  tho  Hon.  L.  .1. 
Farwell.  giiveruor  of  Wisconsin,  Col. 
Atwood  held  the  positioTi  of  quartor- 
master-ijeiieral  of  that  .State.  In  the 
managcinciit  of  'The  Journal,'  soon 
after  its  establishment,  he  aisociated 
with  himself  as  co-editor  the  Hon. 
Horace  lt\iblee,  now  United  States 
mini-ter  to  Switzerland,  a  man  of 
intidleetual  stren;th  and  fine  culture. 
Thereupon,  the  paper  took  a  leading 
position,  and  became  firmly  estab- 
lished. It  has  over  been  public  spirit- 
ed and  enterprising,  and  Republican  in 
politics.  So  far  as  its  intluonce  extends, 
it  may  be  regarded  as  the  reflex  of  the 
enterprise  of  its  founder. 

"  In  1S58  he  was  commissioned 
major-general  of  the  fifth  division  of 
tht?  Statu  militia.  For  a  number  of 
years  ho  has  been  one  of  tho  leaders 
in  the  ranks  of  the  Itepublican  party 
in  Wisconsin.  He  became  a  member 
of  the  legislature  in  1800.  and  was 
chosen  speaker  pro  tnn.  of  tho  a-sem- 
bly.  On  account  of  his  known  in- 
tegrity and  executive  ability,  he  was 
appointed  L'nited  States  assessor  when 
that  ofiice  was  first  created.  In  ISOS 
he  h.Md  the  office  of  mayor  in  tho  city 
(if  Madison.  At  the  Kri)ubl!ean  State 
convention,  in  Seplembor  in  that  year, 
on  the  first  ballot  for  gov(^rnor,  ho 
receivcil  fifty-three  votes,  with  a  largo 
majority  of  those  from  his  own  dis- 
trict.—  a  flattering  compliment  to  his 
political  standing,  considering  that 
that  district  had  above  half  a  dozen 
candidates  for  State  offices  in  the 
lield. 

"  In  person.  Gen.  Atwood  is  of 
medium  stature,  with  dark-blue  eyes 
and  silver-gray  hair.  His  features  are 
regular,  .and  particularly  pleasant  and 
expressive  when  in  conversation.  In 
private  char.acter,  ho  is  above  suspi- 
cion or  reproach.  As  a  i)ui)lie  man 
and  a  politician,  it  is  sufficient  to  re- 
mark, that  his  Instincts  are  strongly 
llepublican,  witliout  the  element  of 
partisan  bitterness.  He  possesses 
valued  friends  in  all  parties,  and  In 
controv(!rsy  exhibits  tho  frankness 
and  modesty  of  a  true  genllem.an. 
As  a  public  man.  he  has  accomplished 
much  fur  the  advancement  of  educa- 
tion, and  tho  general  welfare  of  soci- 
ety. In  all  projects  to  increase  tho 
nationtil  prosperity  of  the  WV^t.  he  has 
been  foremost,    in  private  life,  he  Is 


BTSTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


779 


benevolpnt  and  hospitable ;  in  politics, 
hopeful ;  In  mcutal  cast,  shrewd  and 
piactlcai.  He  Is  such  a  representative 
of  the  coinlns;  men  and  workers  of  the 
West,  that,  perhaps,  he  has  not  heen 
Inaptly  called  the  '  Ijenjamln  Franklin 
of  the  Wisconsin  press.' 

"  The  lives  of  the  men  who  are  at 
work  at  the  foundations  of  govern- 
ment, who  arecxtendina  the  Uopublie, 
and  rearing  the  superstructure  of 
American  liberty  upon  the  boundless 
prairies  of  the  West,  are  recoided 
upon  the  stones  and  columns  they  have 
placed  therein;  ami,  though  the  words 
may  seem  blun'cd  to  many  eyes,  future 
generations  will  rewrite  them  in  en- 
during marble." 

lie  took  his  seat  In  Congress  In 
February,  1870,  succeeding  the  Ilim. 
B.  F.  Hopkins,  who  died  the  previous 
month  in  the  same  year.  In  Congress, 
Mr.  Atwood  was  industrious;  and  ef- 
fectual bills  in  which  ho  was  inlerest- 
ed,  were  passed,  .such  as  the  Noi'thorn 
Pacilic  Kiiilway  Bill,  to  render  the 
land-grant  .available,  and  to  in-ure  the 
construction  of  the  line;  the  act  in 
relation  to  the  improvement  of  the 
Fox  and  Wisconsin  IJiver;  that  di- 
viding Wisconsin  into  two  judicial 
districts.  &c. 

As  an  editor.  Gen.  Atwood  is  true 
to  the  right,  never  sacritieing  honor  in 
parlisiin  disnules,  but  always  main- 
taining a  dignity  in  political  conlliet. 
Through  this  bearing  he  has  made  his 
name  agreeaole  in  the  ears  of  all  polit- 
ical parties,  and  his  journal  a  power 
for  good  in  the  nation. 

lio.v.  .)AMKs  T.  Lkwis.  —  lie  was 
borti  in  Clarendon,  O'li^ans  County, 
N.Y.,  Oct.  80,  ISli).  He  received  his 
academical  educalion  at  Clarkson  and 
Clinton,  N.Y.,  and  read  law  with 
Gov.  Scldnn.  at  tlu?  former  place.  He 
came  to  Wiscon-in  In  .Inly,  ISI.'J:  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  Supreme  i 
Court ;  and  commeiued  the  practice  of 
law  at  Columbus,  where  be  has  since  | 
resided.  He  has  held  eight  diffenMit 
olTices  in  the  .Slate,  commencing  with  ' 
that  of  disfrict-iittorney.  and  closing  I 
with  that  of  governor.  When  elected 
secretary  of  state,  he  received  every 
voteea^i  in  his  own  city.  When  elected 
governor,  his  majority  was  nearly 
tweiily-live  thousand,  —  a  very  large 
majority  for  Wisconsin.  For  his  record 
as  governor  of  the  .State  of  Wisconsin, 
wo  refer  the  reader  to  the  foregoing 
chapters  on  his  admiidstration.  He 
w.as  a  successful  war  governor;  and, 
although  ho  made  but  Uttlo  display, 


he  accomplished  groat  things  for  the 
State.  Although  he  has  retired  from 
public  life,  at  his  beautiful  home  in 
Columbus,  his  unanimous  call  to  the 
perm.anent  chairman-hip  of  the  recent 
Republican  St.ate  Convention  shows 
that  his  great  popularity  is  still  alive. 
Should  he  consent  toagain  enter  public 
life,  his  career  would,  no  doubt,  be 
marked  with  success.  He  is  wealthy, 
ami  enjoys  life  as  only  a  man  with  a 
clear  conscience  can. 

Hon.  Joel  S.  Fisk.  —  He  was  bom 
at  St.  Allmns,  Vt.,  Oct.  24,  1810.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-one,  in  the  fall  of 
18;!1,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Green 
of  Plattsburg,  N.Y.  lie  emigrated  to 
Green  Bay  in  1835,  where,  or  at  Fort 
Howard,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
Fox  River,  lie  has  since  resided. 
Through  a  long  series  of  successful 
business  operations,  he  has  accmuii- 
latcd  considerable  means,  and  is  now 
in  the  enjoyment  of  wealth  ami  re- 
tirement. In  1840  ho  was  appointed 
postmaster  at  Green  Bay,  and  in  1848 
he  was  appointed  register  of  the  land 
office.  In  his  yoiniger  days,  he  was 
(juite  a  politician,  but,  in  more 
advanced  years,  ho  coiilined  himself 
strictly  to  business.  Ho  is  a  worthy 
and  efficient  member  of  the  Baptist 
church  of  Fort  Howard. 

l!i:v.  il.  .Stone  Hiciiahdso.v.  —  He 
was  born  in  the  Slate  of  New  York, 
.Madison  Comity,  in  IS:.'S.  At  the 
early  age  of  eleven  years,  he  under- 
took, at  his  own  suggi'stlon,  to  care 
for  himself.  He  left  lioine,  and  made 
■ipplicalion  to  the  i>rincipal  of  aa 
academy  at  He  Ruyler,  to  ring  the 
bell  in  that  instilulion  for  room  and 
tuition.  He  remained  at  that  school, 
most  of  the  lime,  for  four  years,  —  an 
exceedingly  diligent  stuilcMit,  pnying 
liis  way,  in  the  mean  time,  by  sawing 
wood  in  the  school,  and  about  the 
town,  after  dark. 

lie  left  this  school  when  about  scveu- 
teen,  ami  pursued  his  studies  at  Caz- 
cuovia,  until  prepared  for  Union  Col- 
lege, meeting  his  own  expenses  by 
tcacliiiig  about  four  months  of  each 
year. 

About  the  time  ho  intended  to  enter 
collc^;e,  his  friiMids  persuaded  him  to 
attend  school  at  Albany  instead,  and 
complete  his  schooling  in  that  city.  He 
did  so;  after  which,  he  spent  six  years 
in  travel,  visiting  nearly  all  the  Stales, 
and  all  the  plai;es  of  inierest  in  the 
United  .States,  He  also  niiide  a  journey 
to  Europe,  and  .spent  several  moi/lhs 
among  the    islands  of    both    oceans. 


780 


n  I  STORY  OF  wiscoysiN. 


Mr.  Eiclianlson  raised  a  party  of  young 
men  in  184!),  in  tlu;  interior  of  Texas, 
and  made  a  journey  across  llio  oon- 
tiiiPiit  to  Ciillfornia.  lie  booame  a 
resident  of  Mariposa  Comity  iu  (hat 
State,  tlien  a  Territory,  anil  resided  in 
the  State  two  years,  lie  was  elected  a 
member  of  tlic  losisiature,  and  was 
recognized  as  one  of  the  most  influ- 
ential men  of  the  assemldy. 

He  won,  durin,£!  the  session,  the 
hisliest  respect  and  eonfiilence  of  ajl 
the  State.  At  the  close  of  this  session, 
lieariiig  of  the  dangorons  illness  of  his 
mother  in  New  Yorl<,  he  hastened 
home,  but  found  her  deceased.  Tlie 
fatigue  of  this  journey  threw  him  into 
a  dangerous  illness,  from  which  he 
very  slowly  recovei'cd. 

During  this  illness,  and  immediately 
after,  he  became  convinced  that  his 
life-work  was  not  that  of  a  politician, 
but  of  the  ministry.  He  immediately 
united  with  the  Methodist-Kpiscopal 
Church,  aiul,  iu  a  brief  time,  was 
prcacliing  with  marked  success  and 
acceptability. 

lie  is,  to-day,  preacher  in  charge  at 
Madison  City.  Wis.  We  have  not  the 
data,  nor,  indeed,  have  wo  the  space, 
for  a  full  biographical  sketch.  We 
may  say,  however,  that,  during  the 
war,  Mr.  Uichardson  acted  a  very 
prominent  part.  He  raised,  it  is  said, 
more  u.cni  for  the  army  than  any  one 
man  in  the  country.  lie  was  chaplain, 
captain  of  pioneers,  military  agent  of 
New  York  State,  and,  iinally,  major  of 
cavalry. 

lie  occupied,  as  a  preacher,  the  first 
pulpit  of  the  conference  to  which  he 
belonged;  and,  though  l)ut  a  little  time 
a  member  of  the  West  Wisconsin  Con- 
ference, is  stationed  at  the  capital,  and 
is  now  closing  his  tliird  year  of  most 
successful  work.  He  is  well  known  in 
all  parts  of  the  State,  having  lectureil 
quite  extensively  sinco  ho  became  a 
resident  of  Wisconsin. 

Ho  is  a  hard  student,  both  of  books 
and  men.  lie  is  a  man  of  decided 
characteristics  and  marked  individuali- 
ty. His  sermons  are  wholly  his  own, 
and  are  peculiarly  unlike  tiiose  of  other 
men,  tiioroughly  prepared  for  every 
occasion. 

In  185:1  ho  married  Miss  Charlotte 
S.  Curtis,  youngest  d.iughter  of  Mr.  I. 
Curtis  of'Madison,  N.Y.  This  lady 
lias  proved  a  prudent,  faithful  wife, 
an  affectionate,  wise  mother,  and  an 
active,  useful  member  of  society.  She 
is  modest,  even  retiring,  plain  and 
simple,  yet   tasteful  iu  Ucr   manners 


and  dress.  She  seems  to  have  been 
intended  for  tho  wife  of  a  Methodist 
pri'aclier,  and,  as  such,  her  cliaracter- 
istics  are  worthy  of  careful  study. 
She  has  the  peculiar  faculty  of  ex- 
pressing her  own  ideas,  even  in  a 
forcible  manner,  without  giving  of- 
fence. Thinking  much,  speaking  care- 
fully, ever  pleasant,  always  courteous 
to  "those  in  error,  lirm  in  purpose, 
never  out  of  her  [liace,  and  ahv.iys  a 
true  Christian,  she  has  drawn  around 
her  life  tho  truest  affection  of  many 
many  warm  friends.  To  speak  her 
praise  is  but  to  touch  a  thousand  chords 
of  her  praise  which  vibr.ato  through 
.and  through  the  nine  charges  in  which 
slie  has,  during  the  past  twenty  years, 
labored  with  her  husband  iu  this 
work  of  love. 

llev.  Mr.  Uichardson,  in  many  re- 
spects, is  a  rcmark.ible  man.  His 
great  ability  as  a  preacher  is  hid  in 
the  deep  folds  of  his  peculiar  natural 
gifts.  Although  an  accomplished 
scholar  in  tho  great  fleld  of  knowl- 
edge pertaining  to  tho  ministry,  yet 
his  sonnons  display  the  imprint  of 
genius  peculiar  to  their  author,  and 
are  admired  as  much  on  this  avcount 
as  ou  the  score  of  their  tiioological 
scope.  No  man  has  over  spent  half 
an  hour  in  conversation  with  Mr. 
Uichardson,  and  afterwards  forgotten 
him.  To  see  and  talk  with  him  is  to 
get  an  impression  so  agreeable  to  the 
mind  as  to  be  retained  amongst  its 
richest  treasures.  Ilis  individuality  is 
so  strong,  and  its  characteristics  are  so 
blended,  and  iu  such  striking  contrast 
with  his  fellows,  as  to  induce  a  con- 
stant criticism.  This  criticism  is  gen- 
er.illy  favorable.  As  a  preacher,  he  is 
clothed  with  peculiar  power.  He  has 
always  united  the  energies  of  his 
people,  anil  drawn  after  him  the 
deepest  respect  from  every  charge 
with  which  he  has  been  connected. 
As  a  friend,  he  is  generous,  sometimes 
enthusiastic,  but  never  solllsh  or  par- 
tial in  his  benevolence.  As  a  citizen, 
he  is  a  warm  advocate  of  law  and  good 
order,  but  stamps  his  disapproval  upon 
tho  centralization  of  wealth  or  power 
in  any  form. 

Hon.  W.  J.  FisK.  —  Ilo  was  born  in 
Brunswick.  O.,  Juno  'J5,  1S.J;{.  He  re- 
moved to  Green  Hay.  Wis.,  witli  his 
parents,  in  isao.  In  1S48  we  find  Mr. 
Fisk  actively  engaged  drafting  maps 
in  tho  government  land-ofiice  at  Green 
Ilay.  He  made  the  m.nps  for  the  .State 
for  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  Improvement 
Company,  which  maps  are  still  in  po»< 


n [STORY  OF   WrSCONSIN. 


781 


session  of  the  State  authorities.  These 
were  the  maps  upon  which  the  original 
grant  of  land  was  made  by  Congress  to 
the  State  for  said  improvement.  Wlien 
only  fifteen  years  of  niio.  he  bought 
forty  acres  of  land  on  Ball  Prairie,  near 
the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Oshknsh, 
borrowing  half  the  money  with  which 
to  make  the  purchase.  John  Fitzgerald, 
an  old  pioneer,  and  resident  of  Oshkosh, 
who  is  well  known  to  nil  the  early  set- 
tlers in  that  vieinily,  loaned  him  the 
money  necessary  to  secure  the  land, 
lie  soon  laid  up  enough  from  his  earn- 
ings to  buyoighty  acres  more  In  Brown 
County.  Leaving  the  land-ofTicc,  he 
was  eiigagod  at  clerking  in  a  coneral 
store  at  Green  Bay  until  isSi.  lie  then 
attended  school  at  Appleton  one  year, 
after  which.  In  ISwS,  he  entered  mer- 
cliandising  on  his  own  account.  He 
had  no  capital ;  but  his  father,  Hon. 
.loel  Fisk,  loaned  him  money.  In  1854 
he  deeded  Mr.  Fi-;k  a  store  and  lot  in 
Fort  Howard,  which  establishment  he 
conducted,  doing  a  general  business, 
until  1801,  in  which  he  wa-<  remarkably 
successful.  In  18oJ  he  was  married  to 
Mary  J.,  daughter  of  J.  ,1.  Uriggs,  a 
pioneer  of  Fond  du  Lac.  Ho  was  post- 
master at  Fort  Howard  from  1802  to 
1875.  The  (inan.-  al  p.anic  of  1857  in- 
jured his  business  interests  largely; 
but,  in  the  three  yea.s  following, 
he  paid  six  thousand  dollars'  debts, 
paying  one  hundred  cents  on  the 
dollar.  He  sold  out,  and  retired  from 
business  in  18'jl ;  and  in  1302  ho  was 
elected  trcasiirer  of  the  city  of  Fort 
Howard.  He  was  also  moinhcr  of 
the  city  council  of  Fort  Ilowiinl  two 
years.  In  I8(l8he  was  managing-owner 
of,  a  steamboat-line  on  Green  Bay,  as, 
al^o,  a  stage-line  over  th<!  same  route 
in  winter.  At  this  time  he  became 
largely  Interested  in  the  licjinblle  Fire- 
insurance  Company  of  (Ililcago.  and 
established  the  Green  B;iy  brunch.  In- 
vesting over  ten  thousanil  dollars  in  its 
stock.  In  the  great  Chicago  fire  of  1871. 
the  company  failed;  and  Mr.  Fisk  lost 
he.avily.  He  was  one  of  the  projectors 
of  the  Green  Bay  and  Minnesota  Hail- 
road,  and  was  largely  Instrumental  in 
its  early  completion.  In  1871  he,  with 
other  iirominent  commercial  oper.ators 
In  Wisconsin  and  Illinois,  purchased 
ten  thousand  acres  of  land  lying  be- 
tween Fort  Howard  and  Menomonee. 
These  lands  are  rich  In  lumber  and  iron. 
The  North-western  Railroad  will  soon 
penetrate  them,  and  open  up  their  re- 
sources. But  wo  have  no  space  to  enu- 
merate half  the  commercial  enterprises 


in  which  Mr.  Fisk  has  heen,  or  is  now, 
engaged.  He  is  one  of  (he  largest  and 
most  succes.sful  connnereial  operators 
in  Wisconsin.  He  is  vice-president  of 
the  Kellogg  National  Bank  of  Green 
l}ay ;  is  part  owner  of  one  of  the  largest 
elevators  in  North-eastern  Wisconsin; 
and  is  interested  in  enterprises  located 
in  various  parts  of  the  North-west. 

As  a  member  of  the  Wisconsin 
State  legislature,  he  is  attentive  to  the 
duties  of  the  position,  a  valuable  finan- 
cier, modest  in  argument,  but  firm  in 
d" 'Ision.  His  opinion  is  respected,  and 
his  word  lionored. 

As  a  business-man  he  has  many 
peculiarities.  His  ability  to  estimate 
the  value  of  any  thing  is  remarkable. 
Hence  liis  important  connection  with 
tlie  North-westernlJaiiroad  Company  as 
their  purchasing  agent.  If  you  have  a 
new  enterprise  In  thought,  explain  it  to 
Mr.  Fisk.  and,  if  he  tells  you  that  it's  a 
success,  you  may  invest  your  money  in 
it  in  safety.  On  the  otlier  liand,  if  lio 
pronounces  it  of  no  value,  you  may, 
with  profit,  let  It  alone.  He  is,  per- 
haps, celebrated  for  his  knowledge  of 
business;  and  his  ability  to  estim.ate 
the  relative  extent  of  demand  and  sup- 
l)ly  for  any  given  article  lias  given  him 
an  enviable  position  in  the  estimation 
of  solid  business-men. 

Mr.  FIsk,  with  his  wife  and  family, 
resides  in  one  of  the  finest  resideneos 
in  Fort  Howard,  and  Is  now  actively 
engaged  witli  his  many  extensive  busi- 
ness interests.  He  is  now  considered 
wealthy. 

Hev.'  Redder  Sjiitii.  —  He  was  born 
in  Wyoming,  I'enn.,  Jan.  11,  1807, 
;ind  at  the  age  of  ten  years  became  a 
member  of  the  Methodist-Episcopal 
Church,  and  of  Its  ministry  in  1826, 
marrying,  the  same  year,  Atirelia  Kee- 
ney  of  Braintrcm.  On  her  decease,  ho 
left  the  itineracy  in  Western  New 
Voik,  and  in  18-10  took  charge  of  tlio 
(Inances  of  the  Metliodist-lipiscopal 
College  at  Albion,  Micii.,  raising  it 
from  a  greatly  embarr.assed  condition 
to  in'osperous  Independence;  thence. 
In  the  winter  of  1847,  obtained  from 
the  Territorial  legislature  of  Wiscon- 
sin a  charter  for  Lawrence  University, 
and  purchased,  in  connection  witli 
Amos  A.  Lawienco  of  Boston,  Mass., 
the  site  of  the  ;^>  ,'sentcity  of  Appleton, 
marrying  in  ]3ostoii,  tlie  same  year. 
Miss  Eliza  P.  Kimball,  preceptress  of 
a  ladles'  scliool  in  Cambridge. 

lie  erected  the  first  framed  dwelling; 
and  in  It  was  born  the  fir-it  male  child 
of  ^Vppletou,  — A.  A.  Lawrence  Smith, 


782 


niaroRY  of  Wisconsin. 


now  of  the  Milwaukee  bar.  Appleton 
was  fouiulcd  in  1S47,  ami  New  LuikIihi 
in  1802.  Eai'li  of  tluise  places  is  larj;(!ly 
Indebted  to  his  uuliriiifteiieriiy  and  sldi- 
fiil  manageiiient  for  its  present  posi- 
tion in  the  scale  of  Wisconsin  localities. 
He  was  endowment-agent  of  the  Law- 
rence University  at  Appletou.  for  sev- 
eral years,  in  which  capacity  he 
wroiiglit  a  work  of  lasting  good  to  the 
State  of  Wisconsin.  Lawrence  Uni- 
versity of  Appleton,  now  one  of  the 
most  successful  institutions  of  learning 
In  the  Slate,  is  largely  indebted  to  his 
untiring  Christian  zeal  for  its  success. 
Daniel  E.  Seymour. — lie  was  born 
In  Otsegf)  County,  New  York,  Dec.  22, 
1825.  lie  lived  and  worked  on  a.  fai'ni 
until  fifteen  years  old,  attending  the 
district  school  each  winter.  Attended 
the  academy  at  Oxford,  Chenango 
County,  N.y.  lie  then  studied  one 
year  a*  the  academy  in  Bloomfield, 
N.J.  Afterward  he  went  to  the  acad- 
emy in  Hamilton,  Madison  County, 
N.Y.,  where  he  tinishcd  his  schoul- 
cdiicatiou.  Upon  invltaticm  of  rela- 
tives, he  started  for  New  Orleans  in 
December,  1814,  where  he  was  engagi^d 
as  a  clerk  in  a  store  for  a  couple  of 
years.  Then  had  charge  of  a  large 
mercantile  establishment  there  for  two 
years  more.  In  1840  ho  returned  to 
New  York  State,  and  was  married  to 
his  present  wife  on  tlie  third  <lay  of 
July  of  th:it  year.  He  then  took  a  trip 
with  his  wife  to  New  Orleans,  staying 
there,  and  at  Natchez,  Miss.,  until 
May,  1B.")0.  Then  returned  to  his  old 
home  in  New  York,  and  engaged  in 
teaching  school.  In  1S.V2  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  Illinois,  in  Mcllenry 
County,  wliere  he  continued  teaching. 
Becoming  sick  with  ague  for  a  long 
time,  he  disliked  that  country,  and 
became  anxious  to  find  a  more  suitable 
location.  Tlierefore,  in  June,  IS.jO,  he 
removed  with  his  family  to  tlie  Terri- 
tory of  Minnesota,  taking  up  a  home- 
stead, and  experiencing  the  trials  and 
troubles  and  vexatious  hardships  inci- 
dent to  the  life  of  a  pioneer.  Itemained 
there  about  seven  years,  and  conc!ud(!d 
to  see  if  lie  could  not  better  his  fortunes 
by  making  one  more  chansJie,  and  mov- 
ing upanuing  the  pines.  Consequently 
lie  sold  out  his  place  there,  anil  came 
to  Chippewa  falls,  which  he  now  looks 
upon  as  his  home,  lie  engaged  in  his 
old  occupation  as  clerk  in  the  store  of 
Pound,  lliilbert,  and  Co.,  which  after- 
ward became  the  institution  known 
as  the  Union  Lumbering  Company. 
Staid  with  them  bcvcu  years  or  more, 


when,  by  the  death  of  a  relative,  he 
came  into  |)ossessii)n  of  some  property 
sullicient  to  enable  him  to  open  the 
pioneer  banking  instilution  in  that 
place  known  as  Seymour's  Hank,  which 
has  been  successfully  carried  on  for 
nearly  six  years,  obtaining  credit  for, 
and  name  of,  being  a  sound  and  reliable 
institution. 

IIo.v.  M.  Frank.  —  M.  Frank  is  a 
native  of  the  State  of  New  York;  born 
in  the  town  of  Virgil,  county  of  Cort- 
land. He  did  not  receive  a  collegiate 
education.  His  father  was  a  respect- 
able farmer  of  moderate  means,  and 
unable  to  incur  the  expense  of  sending 
his  sons  to  college.  His  education  was 
in  the  common  schools  and  academic 
institutions  in  tlie  vicinity  of  his  home. 
After  passing  the  period  of  his  school- 
days, his  occupation  was  divided  be- 
tween working  on  his  father's  farm  in 
summer,  and  teaching  school  in  winter. 
As  soon  as  he  had  .attained  to  years  of 
majority,  he  was  elected  town  inspector 
of  common  schools,  and  was  re-"lected 
to  that  oftlce  several  successive  years. 
He  was  also  elected,  two  successive 
years,  a  member  of  the  county  board  of 
supervisors. 

He  took  an  active  part  in  the  reforma- 
tory movements  in  Cortland  County  at 
this  early  period,  especially  the  cause  of 
ti'inperaiice.  In  1829  he  gave  the  first 
public  temperance  address,  which  re- 
sulted in  the  organization  of  a  temi>er- 
ance  society  in  the  town  where  he  re- 
sided. He  has  ever  since  been  a  friend 
and  advocate  of  tlie  temperance  reform. 

In  1800  he  wont  to  the  town  of  Pre- 
ble, in  another  part  of  the  same  county, 
to  reside,  where  he  engaged  in  tlie  mer- 
cantile business,  and  continued  in  the 
trade  two  years.  Ho  was  married  in 
that  town  in  18M7.  During  liis  resi- 
dence in  Preble,  he  was  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  county  supervisors, 
also  town  clerk. 

He  moved  to  Wisconsin  in  1839,  and 
settled  at  Southport  (now  Kenosha), 
where  ho  continued  to  reside,  with  the 
exception  of  a  lew  months  at  Ueloit, 
until  his  appointment  to  a  government 
clerkship  in  1S70.  He  still  holds  his 
residence  in  Wisconsin.  Moutliport,  at 
the  time  he  came  to  the  place  to  reside, 
contained  about  two  bundled  and  fifty 
inhabitants. 

In  1840  he  became  associated  with 
Hon.  C.  L.  Sholes,  in  the  publication 
of  "  The  Southport  Tekgr.aph."  There 
were  at  that  time  but  few  newspapers 
published  in  Wisconsin.  "The  Tele- 
graph," uuder  the  editorial  manage- 


n f STORY  or  jvrscojfsm. 


783 


nieiit  of  Frank  Jind  Sliolcs.becamn  large- 
ly influential  in  Tci-ritoi'ial  politics.  Mr. 
Frank  was  editorially  connected  with 
"The  T<'lec;ra|)li "  at  Vi'.rious  periods, 
both  under  Territorial  and  Slate  gov- 
L'rnnient,  equal  to  a  continuous  time  of 
about  twelve  years. 

In  184:1  he  was  elected  a  menibor  of 
tlin  Territorial  legislature  (council),  for 
a  term  of  one  year,  from  the  district 
of  country  now  comprising  the  coun- 
ties of  Uaoine  and  Kenosha.  Ilci  was 
re-elected  to  the  same  ofllce  in  1844.  for 
a  term  of  two  years.  His  chief  efforts 
while  a  member  of  the  Territorial  legis- 
lature were  for  the  adoption  of  prelim- 
inary measures  to  the  formation  of  a 
State  government,  and  for  a  change  in 
the  common  school  law  of  the  Territory, 
with  a  view  to  the  early  establishment 
of  free  schools.  In  hotli  of  these 
measures,  he  was  unsuccessful,  but  did 
not  relax  the  advocacy  of  them  through 
the  press,  until  the  public  mind  was  pre- 
pared for  tlu!ir  adoption. 

At  the  lirst  corporation  election  of 
Southport,  in  1840,  Mr.  Frank  was 
elected  president.  In  1850  the  name 
Southport  was  changed  to  Kenoslia,  by 
act  of  the  legislature ;  and  the  village  be- 
came an  incorporated  city.  Mr.  Frank 
was  elected  the  first  mayor.  This  was  a 
year  involving  much  responsibility  on 
the  chief  otiicer  of  the  city;  in  it  oc- 
curred the  great  ''wheat  riot"  (so 
called),  in  which  the  city  was  for  days 
kept  in  intense  excitement,  and  serious 
consequences  impended.  It  was  also  a 
year  of  frigiitful  visitation  of  tiie  chol- 
era. 

On  the  adoption  of  the  State  consti- 
tution, in  1818,  Mr.  Frank  was  elected 
one  of  the  commissioners  to  revise  the 
laws. 

In  1S."4  Jfr.  Franlc  was  elected  county 
treasurer  of  Kenosha  County  for  a  term 
of  two  years :  he  was  elected  to  tlie  same 
office  for  a  second  term  of  two  years  i:i 
1850, 

In  ISO  he  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  assembly,  and  served  during  the 
session  as  chairman  of  tlie  Committee 
on  IJailroads. 

lie  was  also,  the  s.amo  year,  appointed 
by  the  governor  to  (ill  an  unexpired 
term  on  the  Hoard  of  Regents  of  the 
State  University;  and  was  subsequent- 
ly chosen,  on  joint  ballot  of  the  legisla- 
ture, to  a  full  term  of  tliat  odice. 

In  April,  ISiii,  he  was  appointed  by 
Pres.  Lincoln  postmaster  at  the  city  of 
Kenosha :  at  the  expiration  of  tiie  term 
of  four  years,  he  was  re-appointed ; 
and,  after  continuing  in  that  ofUce  about 


six  years,  he  was  removedby  Pres,  John- 
son for  political  reasons. 

In  matters  pertaining  to  morals  and 
religion,  Mr,  Frank  has  always  main- 
tained a  good  standing,  ever  evincing 
a  readiness  to  aid  in  such  enterprises 
as  gave  promise  of  public  good.  IIo 
became  a  member  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Chureh  at  Southport  (Kenosha) 
in  1840,  which  had  then  just  been 
organized.  Ills  relations  to  that  church 
continued  luitil  his  business  took  him 
to  Washington,  where  his  churcli  rela- 
tions for  tlie  present  are. 

Joii.v  Daulman.  —  IIo  was  born  at 
Ruken,  in  the  province  of  Westpluilia, 
in  Prussia,  Nov.  21, 1820,  and  is,  conse- 
ipiently,  forty-six  years  of  age.  His 
father  was  a  small  tradesman,  in  easy 
circumstances.  Actuated  by  a  desire 
to  attain  a  more  considerable  success 
tlian  was  possible  uiuler  the  rigid 
social  conditions  of  the  Old  World,  the 
family  emigrated  to  America  when  the 
subject  of  ourslvctch  was  thirteen  years 
of  age.  Tlie  children  were  four  boys 
(two  of  whom  are  now  dead)  and  one 
girl. 

The  family  located  at  Burlington,  in 
Racine  County.  A  tract  of  eigiit  hun- 
dred acres  of  unexcelled  farming-land 
was  purchased,  and  stocked  with  two 
hundred  sheep,  seven  yoke  of  oxen, 
and  two  span  of  horses.  The  liardy 
proprietor  and  his  four  boys,  full  of 
snap  iind  grit,  were  not  afraid  of  work. 
They  soon  made  their  homestead  one  of 
the  finest  farms  in  the  State,  —  a  repu- 
tation wiiich  it  still  maintains.  Here 
,Iohu  remained  for  live  years.  But  the 
aspiiations  of  the  boy  were  not  to  bo 
satisfied  with  agricultural  triumph 
alone.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  set 
out  for  Milwaukee,  although  without  a 
single  .acqu.aintauce  in  the  city,  to  take 
his  place  at  the  bottom  of  the  ladder  iu 
some  nu^rcantile  pursuit.  Before  leav- 
ing home,  his  mother  had  advised  him, 
with  excellent  good  sense,  to  think  little 
of  himself  anil  his  merits,  but  to  seeli 
out  sonu!  good  man,  in  whom  the  com- 
nuniity  had  confidence,  and  offer  his 
services  for  whatever  they  might  ba 
considered  worth. 

The  boy  found  an  opening  with  John 
Furlong,  Esq.,  who  was  then  a  retail 
grocer,  at  242  East  Water  Street,  From 
the  st.art,  he  devoted  his  whole  energies 
to  the  s^.Tvice  of  his  employer,  lie  con- 
sidered no  work  difficult,  no  hours  too 
late,  and  no  attention  too  close,  by 
which  the  interests  of  the  concern 
could  be  advanced.  It  was  largely  duo 
to  his  exertious  and  efficiency  that  the 


784 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


house  bncame,  in  a  ffw  years,  a  loading 
wliol(!«al(!  establishment,  lie  sold,  ami 
then  delivered  the  goods  in  person  ;  kept 
the  books  after  ten  o'eloek  at  night, 
scarcely  i^ver  retiring  before  niidniglit; 
and,  as  the  business  was  carried  on  in 
great  part  with  farmers,  ho  was  up  again 
and  at  work  al  live  in  the  inorniu.!{.  Tiie 
salaries  which  would  have  been  re- 
qnired  under  less  careful  management 
were  thus  saved,  and  retained  in  the 
business. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1855,  young  Dahl- 
mau  was  admitted  to  a  i)artnership  in 
llie  house.  Fnmi  that  date,  his  career 
through  a  variety  of  changes  has  been 
one  of  uninterrupted  i)ro3p<>rity.  After 
two  years,  ho  dissolved  Willi  Furlong, 
and  formed  a  partnership  in  .July,  18.')7, 
two  months  before  the  great  panic,  with 
Edward  O'Niel,  Timothy  Dane,  and 
Aniiiony  Dahlman,  under  the  firm- 
n;!me  of  .Tohn  Dahlman  and  Company. 
In  18(12  ho  bought  out  the  two  former 
gentlemeu,  but  soon  after  re-admitted 
Sir.  Dane,  whom,  however,  lie  bought 
out  again  in  18(H.  lie  then  continued 
the  business  wilh  liis  brollier  until  ISTJ, 
when,  his  health  becoming  impaired,  he 
withdrew  fnmi  liusiness-cares  entirely. 
The  house  which  he  built  up  has  been 
known  for  years  as  one  of  the  heaviest, 
soundest,  and  most  honorable  on  the 
street. 

Unlike  many  self-made  men,  Sir. 
Dahlman's  modesty  does  not  permit 
liira  to  ascribe  his  success  entirely  to 
his  own  exertions.  He  believes  much 
In  a  special  fortune,  or  an  over-ruling 
Providence,  which  has  directed  ills  ven- 
tures to  an  issue  wliicli  mere  care  and 
industry  could  not  have  attained.  Jle 
has  never,  from  the  first,  met  with  any 
serious  losses,  and  has  scaicely  ever 
been  disai)poiiited  in  any  of  his  caleu- 
l.ations.  Xeverllieh'ss,  his  judgment 
and  prom])litiide  of  action,  although 
original  oiidownients  of  Nature,  have 
been  assiduously  cultivated;  and  Mr. 
Dahlman  can  fairly  claim,  as  much  as 
any  individual  may,  to  be  the  sole 
architect  of  Ids  own  fortune. 

Mr.  D.diluian  has  inaile  occasional 
adventures  outside  of  his  regular  busi- 
ness, and  these  have  also  proved  equal- 
ly fortunate.  Among  others  may  be 
mentioned  his  imrchasc  of  the  tannery, 
now  owned  by  the  Milwaukee  Hide  and 
Leather  Company,  which  be  ran  for  one 
year  under  the  tirm-namc  of  C.  M.  Saw- 
yer and  Company. 

We  now  come  to  Mr.  Dahlman's 
political  career.  He  has  always  voted 
with   the  Democratic  party,  but  has 


never  been  extreme  In  his  views,  or 
inclined  to  be  an  agitator.  What 
offlces  he  nas  held  have  sought  him, 
and  not  ho  tlicni.  Ho  was  elected  to 
the  city  c(uiiicil  in  April,  18(!(l,  for  two 
years.  Ho  was  elected  supervisor  in 
April,  187't,  and  re-elected  in  April. 
1872.  In  February,  187:!.  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  Mayor  Hooker  city  tax 
eimimissioner,  and  was  re-appoiiitcd  by 
Mayor  Ludinglon  In  187.").  it  is  v  posi- 
tion for  which  ho  is  eminently  qiialided 
by  bis  financial  ability  and  conscien- 
tious diligence;  .and  bis  adniiiiistration 
of  affairs  has  given  universal  satisfac- 
(ion. 

In  person,  Mr.  Dahlman  is  a  man  of 
about  the  middle  height,  with  a  blue 
i>ye.  dark  beard,  wliicli  begins  to  be 
touched  with  gray,  and  a  mild  and 
pli!asant  expression  of  countenaiico. 
He  comes  of  a  hale  and  hearty  family, 
and  may  still  look  forward  to  a  long 
life  of  usefulness.  His  father,  now  a 
hundred  and  four  vears  of  age,  is  an 
himored  inmate  of  his  son's  house, 
and  was  strong  and  well  enough  to 
vote  early  at  the  last  election. 

Mr.  Dab  Imam  has  befn  twice  mar- 
ried, and  has  two  small  children  by 
his  second  wife.  His  education  has 
been  acquired  mainly  in  the  practical 
school  of  business-life.  II(!  attended 
school  in  his  own  country  until  his 
twelfth  year,  and  afterwards  enjoyed 
for  one  year  such  facilities  as  were 
furnished  by  the  boy  district  school 
at  Burlington  during  his  farming- 
days.  Ho  is  an  interesting  talker,  and 
Ihoroughly  posted,  especially  upon  mat- 
ters of  iintinec;  and  his  ideas  upon  all 
■subjects  never  fail  to  bo  sound  and 
valuable.  Allhougb  the  owner  of  forty 
biiilUings  and  houses,  sixty-live  acres  of 
tlie  most  eligible  town-lots  in  the  sub- 
urbs, eight  hundred  acres  of  the  finest 
farming-land  in  liacino  County,  ami 
tlie  recipient  of  an  unusually  hand- 
some income,  he  lives  in  very  imprc- 
tontious  style.  His  tastes  arc  ^  .tso  to 
ail  ostentation.  His  expenditui  o  is  only 
lavish  in  the  matter  of  charities.  To 
fliose  he  has  always  given  in  sums  that 
tlie  world  will  never  know  of.  During 
liis  business  career,  he  seemed  to  bo  the 
naturally  appointed  collector  for  every 
charitable  movement.  No  penniless 
emigrant  landed  ujion  the  dock  but 
was  at  once  despatclied  to  him  for  aid. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  contributors  to 
St.  Mary's  Hospital.  He  has  been 
treasurer  of  St.  Rose's  Orphan  Asylum 
for  eighteen  years.  lie  has  contributed 
t/1  churches  and  schools  without  nuiu- 


I 


niSTOHY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


785 


ber.  In  roliglon  Mr.  Dniilinnn  Is  a 
devoted  nml  oxeniplury  t'atliolic. 

Gkv.  Jamks  Bintmff.  —  Ho  was 
born  Nov.  1,  1824,  .it  Siiltcrliebblo, 
near  Iliilifiix,  Yorkshire,  Eiig.  All  the 
scliool-educiition  he  received  was  at 
the  villaso  scliool  In  Kiigl.and,  before 
he  was  twelve  years  of  age.  When  lie 
was  sixteen  years  of  age,  Ida  fatlier 
emigrated  to  the  United  States,  leaving 
him  behind.  The  next  year,  In  the 
spring  of  1842,  ho  came  also.  lie  soon 
after  engaged  In  a  woollen  factory  in 
New  York  State.  In  1847  lie  was  mar- 
ried ;  and  soon  after  he  commenced 
farming.  Having  accumnlated  a  tlion- 
sand  dollars,  in  tlie  fall  <1f  IB.'il  he 
moved  to  Wlsconsiti,  and  purchased  a 
farm  in  Green  County,  wliere  he  re- 
mained two  years,  after  which  he 
moved  to  Monroe.  After  a  two-years' 
residence  in  Monroe,  he  was  ein|)ioyed 
as  a  book-keeper  and  cashier  in  a  banlc- 
ing-otllce  at  tliat  place.  In  the  fall  of 
18.')1  lie  was  elected  register  of  deeds 
of  Green  County.  In  the  spring  of 
18(10  he  purchased  a  one-half  Interest 
in  "The  Monroe  Sentinel,"  and,  one 
year  later,  he  pureliased  the  whole 
ofBcp.  In  1802  lie  was  commissioned 
to  raise  a  company  for  the  Twenty- 
second  Ilegiment  of  Volunteers.  lie 
then  sold  one-half  of  "The  Sentinel" 
to  E.  E.  Carr,  wlio  edited  that  paper 
during  Gen;  Bintliff's  absence  from  the 
State'in  the  field  of  battle.  We  refer 
our  readers  to  the  foregoing  account 
of  Wisconsin  in  the  war  for  (Jen.  Bint- 
liff's war  record.  It  will  suflice  liere  to 
say  tliat  he  W(m  distinction  on  the 
battle-lield. 

Soon  after  he  returned  from  the  war, 
he  sold  liis  one-lialf  interest  in  "The 
Monnio  Sentinel,"  and  started  for 
Missouri  witli  the  intention  of  locating 
there;  but,  after  travelling  all  over  the 
State,  he  found  society  in  so  unsettled 
a  condition,  tliat  he  did  not  deem  it 
•wise  to  remove  any  family  there,  and 
returned  to  Monroe,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  book,  stationery,  and  wall- 
paper business,  and  continued  in  it 
until  July,  1870,  when  lie  purchased  a 
one-half  interest  in  "  The  Janesville 
Gazette,"  —  of  which  there  is  published 
deily,  semi-weekly,  and  weekly  edi- 
tions,—  and  became  the  editor  of  that 
journal.  He  has  continued  in  that 
position  until  the  present. 

During  the  past  five  years,  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees of  the  Wisconsin  Soldiers'  Orphans 
Home,  and,  for  ti.e  past  two  years, 
president  of  the  board. 


He  was  a  delegate  from  Wisconsin 
to  the  National  Kepubllean  Convenlloii 
which  assembled  In  Chicago  in  18(18, 
an<l  nominated  Grant,  and  again  to  the 
convention  which  renominated  him  In 
1872  at  Pliiladeipliia. 

Hon.  Lucius  S.  Bi.ake.  —  Ho  was 
born  at  Burlington,  Vt.,  Mareli  14,  181(1. 
His  father's  name  was  Levi  Blake.  He 
is  of  Irish  extraction.  In  1817  Mr. 
Blake,  with  his  family,  removed  to 
Western  New  York,  and  settled  in  Erie 
Cf)unty.  He  remained  there  about  ten 
years,  during  which  time  his  son  at- 
tended the  district  school  during  the 
winter  months.  Atone  time  Millard 
Fillmore  was  his  teacher.  Mr.  Blake 
again  removed  his  f.imily  to  Crawford 
County,  Penn.,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  for  seven  years.  In  18;i4  Mr. 
Blake,  with  his  two  sons,  Lucius  S. 
and  E.  Sandford,  wont  to  Chicago, 
which  then  consisted  of  Fort  Dearborn 
and  a  small  village.  The  sons  assistotl 
their  father  In  his  vocation  of  contract- 
ing and  building.  From  this  place,  the 
father,  with  his  sons,  emigr.ited  farther 
west,  and  established  a  claim  near  the 
present  site  of  Hacine.  A  windowless 
"shanty"  was  built,  in  which  Lucius 
and  his  brother  lived  alone  for  two 
years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time, 
his  parents  came  to  live  at  their  new 
home.  The  first  year  after  their  arri- 
val, he  worked  for  his  father.  The  next 
year,  he  worked  at  carpentering  for 
(Sen.  Bullen  and  Samuel  Hale  at  Ke- 
nosha (then  Southport)  for  one  and  a 
half  dollars  per  day  in  "store  pay." 
The  following  year,  he  commenced 
btisinesg  for  himself,  and  had  a  small 
force  of  men  in  his  employ,  one  of 
whom  has  continued  to  work  for  him, 
and  is  now  at  the  head  of  "Blake's 
Manufacturing  Establishment,"  which 
was  built  in  184.3.  At  first  his  business 
was  limited;  but  as  bis  capital  and  his 
facilities  have  increased,  his  establish- 
ment has  become  the  largest  In  the 
world  in  the  specialty  of  manufactur- 
ing farming-implements.  Ho  makes 
shipments  to  all  parts  of  the  United 
Slates,  and  has  an  agency  in  Pesth, 
Hungary.  As  his  means  have  increased, 
he  has  sought  opportunities  for  invest- 
ing them.  He  is  now  at  the  bead  of 
the  largest  woollen-mills  in  the  West. 
He  is  the  largest  real-estate  ho!  iler  in 
Racine,  and  owns  several  public  build- 
ings, manufnctories,  and  numerous 
resi(lences.  He  was  too  old  to  be  a 
soldier  in  the  late  war,  but  visited  and 
gave  largely  to  the  annies  of  the  Poto- 
mac, Virginia,  and  Arkansas.    He  is  a 


786 


nisTonr  of  Wisconsin. 


Ilcfmbllcan,  mid  wns  n  dt'Iogato  to  tho 
Nalioiiiil  ('oiivonlii)ii  which  iiomiiialcd 
Oi'ii.  (Jniiit.  Whili!  attciidinn  to  hl« 
Iiriviilc  affiiirs,  he  ImH  not  Iicm-m  noijlcct- 
fiil  of  his  publU;  (hitics,  and  probably 
no  man  has  civcn  inorfi  libi^nilly  of  his 
time  and  means  in  improving  Kacine 
than  Mr.  UlaliP.  Ho  was  one  of  tlie 
first  trusli'cs  undor  thi-  village  Rovcni- 
monf.and  sncccndod  lils  fatlicras  treas- 
urer of  Itacine  County.  Durini;  1H(1;i-(V4 
ho  served  as  provost-marslial  of  Itaeino 
County.  He  was  eliairman  of  llio  first 
(inanco  committee,  and  lias  been  a 
member  of  the  eity  eouncil  for  several 
terms,  and  at  present  is  the  president 
of  it.  In  1S70  he  was  a.  member  of  the 
legislature,  and  secured  the  passage  of 
several  bills  of  importance  to  his  con- 
stituants  and  to  Itacine  City.  His  wife 
is  an  Enulish  lady,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Caroline  Elliott.  They  h.ive  three 
children,  and  two  are  dead.  He  and 
liis  wife  becamo  members  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church  of  Haciiie  in  184;).  Air. 
Ulake  is  not  desiroiis  of  holding  offlce, 
but  consents  to  do  so,  when,  by  eo 
<loing,  good  may  he  accomplished.  He 
has  leil  a  laborious  life,  and  deserves 
to  riehly  enjoy  the  results  of  it. 

Hon'.  Iii.v  "B.  Brl'Nso.v.  —  He  was 
born  in  Ohio.  In  1S3(5  ho  came  to 
Prairie  du  Cliien,  Wis.  He  was  a 
member  of  tho  Territorial  assembly  in 
\K\-l,  ia'!8,  an<l  1830.  He  has  been 
judge  of  Crawford  County  since 
ISW. 

KlIKDERICK      WiT.LIAM      CoTZIIAU- 

SEN.  —  He  was  born  at  Cambach,  an 
ancient  castle  near  Aix-laChiipelle  in 
I'epine.  Prussia,  July  21,  18:!8.  He 
received  private  tuition  at  homo  till  lie 
was  ten  years  of  age,  when  he  entered 
the  (lUstavus-Adolphus  College  at 
Meurs,  where  he  remained  until  185.'!. 
After  graduating,  he  removed  to  Co- 
logne, and  devoted  himself  for  two 
years  at  the  Academy  of  Arts  and 
Commerce,  especially  to  the  study  of 
m.-xlhematics,  natural  science,  and 
modern  languages.  Having  again 
graduated  crtm  laude,  he  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  in  1850,  and  settled 
at  Milwaukee,  where  he  has  resided 
ever  since.  He  is  by  profession  a  law- 
yer, and  confines  himself  closely  to  tho 
pursuit  of  his  vocation.  Ho  was  a 
candiilate  for  office  but  once,  and  was 
elected,  almost  without  opposition,  in 
1872,  to  represent  tho  third  district  in 
the  senate.  Ho  refused  a  renomina- 
tion.  Ho  is  the  public  administrator  in 
and  for  the  city  and  county  of  Milwau- 
kee,   He  was  a  member  of  the  Board 


of  Hegents  of  normal  schools.    His  an- 
cestors Iiave  always  been  Democratic. 

JiinoE  William  S.  Pahdy.  —  Ho 
was  born  in  Carlisle,  Sullivan  County, 
Ind.,  Aug.  28,  1H22.  His  fathiT  died 
when  he  was  eleven  years  of  ago. 
Previous  to  this  time,  his  opportuni- 
ties wore  limited  to  subscription 
schools.  From  this  time  he  assisted 
his  mother,  who  was  left  willi  insuffl- 
eU'iit  means  to  support  a  largo  family 
of  children.  At  the  ago  of  fifteen  he 
commenced  to  learn  tho  saddler's 
trade,  which  vocation  ho  followed  for 
about  cloven  years.  He  came  to  iho 
Territory  of  Wisconsin  in  \M'i:  after 
spending  all  his  money  in  mining,  lio 
worked  in  Mineral  Point,  at  liis  trade, 
for  about  six  months.  He  married  in 
Indiana,  and  settled  in  Highland,  Iowa 
County,  this  State,  where  lio  remained 
for  one  year.  He  n!move<l  to  Bad  Axo, 
Crawford  County  (a  portion  of  which 
now  constitutes  Vernon  County),  where 
he  has  since  resided.  Ho  followed 
farming  for  ten  years,  when  he  was 
elected  clerk  of  tho  circuit  court; 
wliich  position  ho  liold  for  eight  vears. 
He  represented  Crawford,  Kichli.nd, 
and  Vonion  CJoiuities  in  the  senate  for 
one  year.  While  on  Iho  farm,  ho  (illed 
nearly  all  tho  different  town  offices. 
In  ItttO  lie  was  admitted  to  tho  bar. 
He  was  elected  county  judge  in  18119, 
and  is  now  sor^'ing  his  second  tenn. 
Ho  was  married,  in  1840,  to  ,Jano  E. 
Lemon.  Ho  lias  buried  two  children, 
and  has  two  girls  and  six  boys  living. 
He  w.as  a  m(:i-,b'T  of  tlie  Whig  party 
while  it  was  in  existence.  He  is  now 
a  liepubli  ail,  wA  has  always  bccu  an 
active  politioiuii. 

Hon.  Ex  tj  Chase,  M.D.  — Ho 
was  born  at  Derby,  Vt.,  .Ian.  10,  18m). 
Ho  worked  on  tho  farm  till  he  was 
sixteen  years  of  age,  when  ho  met 
with  an  accident  which  unfitted  Iiim  for 
working  on  a  farm,  and  caused  him  to 
study  medicine.  In  18;U  he  graduated 
from  Dartmouth  College.  In  July  of 
that  year  he  settled  at  Coldwater, 
Mich.  He  was  appointed  adjutant  in 
the  Michigan  militia,  in  1832,  in  tlie 
Black-Hawk  war.  He  removed  to 
Milwaukee,  April  0,  IRiii.  His  family 
was  the  first  to  settle  on  the  south  side 
of  Milwaukee  Biver.  lie  was  the  only 
practising  physician  in  Milwaukee  till 
1830.  Ho  was  secretary  of  the  first 
public  meeting  held  in  the  place,  and 
drew  up  the  first  memorial  sent  to 
Congress  for  an  appropriation  for  a 
harbor.  Tlio  first  religious  service  by 
a  Methodist  was  held  in  his  house  in 


HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIS. 


rs7 


Juno,  1*15.     lie  hnonrae  a  meinlior  of 
tlic   juillcinry   committci'    nn    piiblU; 
land'*,  anil  was  tiloctrd  by  tlic  sctllcis 
nt  llic  (•oiirt-lioii'ic',  on   Maicli  l.'l,  1H:17. 
Wlii'ii  lie  caini-  to  Milwaukee,  Suloinoii 
•Iiiiieau    mill    Ills    einpliiyees,    Iloraee 
CliaM',  Joel  S.  Wilcox.  Alliert  Fowler, 
^V'llo  .).  Kv.ins,  iinil  ii  few  lmii«li'iit 
<?.   ,'.r:'  .../I  were  lliere,  of  wlioni  Ilor- 
rtce  (.hive  is  till'  only  inun  .still  ,a  resi- 
dent.    In  1S:',7  lie  moved  to  the  farm 
where    he    now   resides.      He   was    a 
inomher  of  the   nssernhly  In  18-11)-.'')1, 
18.");!,  ,ind  18~o.     He  reeei'vcd  the  Whii; 
Vote  in  I8.VI.     lie  was  the  third  presi- 
dent of  the  "Old  .Settlers'  CInh."     In 
April,  l."*:!."),  there  was   no  tavern  he- 
tween   C'liicai;!)   and    Milwaukee.      In 
coniin'.{    froin    (^oldwater,   Mr.   (^haso 
found  eonsiderahle  diHicnlty  in  finding 
neeominiiilations     for    his     family     at 
liijlht.     Thi-  lirst  two  nights  they  were 
ohlifieil  to  sleep  on  the  "  soft  side  of  a 
floor,"  and  the  last  ni^ht  on  the  bare 
piound   near  Oak  Creek.     Dr.  Chase 
was   married  to  .Julia  Ann  Ellsworth, 
Mareh  24,  18;W.    She  died  Jan.  5,  18:17, 
leavini;  an  infant  daughter.      lie  was 
married  to  Naney  M.  Uroinley,  Sept.  24, 
18:17,  who  is  the  mother  of  ten  eliildreti, 
five   of   whom    are  still   livini;.      Dr. 
Chase  is  upright  and  just;    anil   his 
word  is  as  good  as  his  bond.     He  is  an 
obliging  man,  and  a  pleasant  neighbor. 
v..    Jl.    lilloDiiKAl),   ('.K.  —  ho   was 
born    in    I'latteliill,    ITlslcr    County, 
N.  Y.,  in  18110,    His  father,  Oliver  Hrod- 
liead,  was  a  fanner.      Mr.    lirodhead 
worked  on  the  farm  during  the  stim- 
inors,  and  attended  school  in  the  win- 
ter months,  till  he  was  eighteen  years 
old.     Subsequently,  he  attended  Will- 
ctt's    Academy  in   Dutchess    County. 
In  18:!0  West  Point  was  the  only  in- 
stitution where  engineering  was  taught 
as    a    separate  branch.      Desirous    of 
taking  a  shorter  course,  ho  obtained 
private  instruction  from  the  professors  ! 
of    that    Institution;    the  pr-ietieo  of  ^ 
which    has    since  been  discontinued.  | 
Hero  he  was  prepared  for  field  woi-k,  | 
and    for  constructing    railroads,  then  i 
just   commencing.      In  18:32,  leaving 
West  Point,  ho  obtained  a  situation  on 
the  Ithaca  and  C^wego  Railroad,  then 
about  to  be  commenced  under  John  | 
llandall,    Chief   Engineer.      In     18:K  ] 
and    1834   he  was    appointed    deputy  I 
surveyor-general,   for  the    purpose  of ! 
retracing  the  boundaries  of  the  Onon-  j 
daga  Reservation,  and  especiallythe  { 
town  of  Syracuse.    The  same  year  he  , 
w.as  appointed  assistant  engineer  on  ' 
the  Utica  and  Schenectady  Ilaihoad. 


Soon  after  his  engagement  on  IIiIm 
work,  the  chief  eniiineer,  William 
Young,  transferred  him  to  the  charge 
of  the  lliidsiin  and  Heik-hire  llailroad. 
He  ('ompleled  the  survev  and  liicalion 
of  ;hat  line  of  mad  in  ts:|4;  lint,  as  the 
company  was  not  then  ready  to  eom- 
meiiee  its  eonslriietion,  he  beeanie  the 
a-sistant  engiiieir,  under  Alexander 
'rwining,  on  tlie  Haiirnrd  and  Vew 
Haven  Kailroad,  Soon  after  the  com- 
pletioi\  of  the  location  of  the  line,  and 
the  work  put  under  contract,  Mr.  Twin- 
ing resigned ;  and  Mr.  lirodhead  was 
aiipointed  chief  engineer.  The  work 
was  linished  in  18:17,  witli  the  Hat  rail, 
then  almost  exclusively  in  use  in  this 
country.  In  ls:J((  he  made  a  survey 
as  chief  engineer  for  the  Housalonic 
liailroad,  and  acted  as  consulting  en- 
gineer for  Mr.  Talcott  in  making  a 
contract  with  Mason  and  IJishnp  for 
Its  eonsfruction.  In  the  fall  of  that 
year,  >lr.  lirodhead  was  married  to  his 
present  wife,  a  daughter  of  Nathaniel 
Fletcher  of  Newburyport,  Mass.  In 
18:)7  he  removed  to  Brooklyn  to  enter 
upon  the  survey,  in  connection  with 
John  Stoddard,  of  the  new  portion  of 
the  city  under  a  commission  by  the 
legislature.  This  work  required  great 
eare  and  accuracy,  and  was  not  linished 
till  18:!1>.  The  canal  coniniissioners 
chose  him  to  survey  the  country  for 
tlie  extension  of  the  lllaek-river  Canal, 
Ivetween  Booneville,  Waterlmvn,  and 
.Sackett's  tfarbor  on  Lake  Ontario,  and 
Ogdensburg  on  the  .St.  Lawrence  Kivor. 
In  1840  Gov.  Seward  aiipointed  him 
chief  engineer  under  an  act  passed  by 
legislature,  authorizing  a  survey  to  bo 
made  of  the  northern  porlion  of  the 
Slate,  known  as  the  "  iJohu  Brown  " 
tract.  The  report  of  this  survey,  with 
the  estimates,  maps,  and  jilans,  w.is 
Completed  and  submitted  to  tlie  Icgis- 
latme  in  1841.  The  next  year,  he 
surveyed  a  route  for  a  railroad  from 
Catskill  on  the  Hudson  River,  to  t'an- 
ajoharie  in  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk. 
A  small  portion  of  the  route  had  been 
built,  but  was  so  badly  located  and 
constructed,  and  the  whole  route 
proved  of  so  formidable  a  character, 
that,  upon  his  report,  the  project  was 
abamloned,  and  the  portion  construct- 
ed taken  up.  In  184:1  the  canal  board 
resident  engineer  appointed  him  to  the 
enlargement  of  the  Erie  Canal,  between 
Little  Falls  and  Syr.icuse,  and  also  to 
act  in  the  same  capacity  on  the  Che- 
nango and  Black  River  Canivls.  This 
work  was  completed  in  184.'),  when  he 
accepted  the  position  of  chief  (mgineur 


788 


HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


anil  si.ipf>rinton(lfntof  the  Hartford  and 
New  llavpii  llailroad,  tlieii  in  ()i)era- 
tioii  to  Spriiintk'ld.  Mass.  He;  remained 
in  charge  of  Uie  work  iiiilil  1848,  when 
lie  was  tendered  the  situation  of  chief 
enuhiecr  of  the  Hartford  and  Willi- 
mantic  ItoavN.  and  as  he  preferrcul  to 
conslrurt,  ratlier  than  to  superintend, 
railroads,  he  accepieil  tlie  position.  In 
its  eours;>,  tlie  rout?  crossiMl  tlio  Con- 
necticut Ki.'cr  and  ilie  Bolton  Moun- 
tain. In  order  to  reach  the  sunnnit  of 
this  mountain,  ,^nd  save  as  much  rock- 
excavation  as  possil)le,  it  became  neces- 
sfry  to  adopt  a  grade  of  sixty  feet  to 
the  mile  for  a  distance  of  five  miles, 
which  at,  that  early  day,  Ijcfore  loco- 
motives had  been  improved  In  their 
capacity  to  overcome  steep  grades,  was 
a  work  of  no  small  interest.  This 
work  was  completed  In  1800,  when  he 
returned  to  Utica  to  take  charge  of 
the  .survey  of  a  route  extending  from 
Schenectady  to  Syracuse,  a  distance 
of  one  hundred  and  thirty  miles.  In 
the  winter  of  18.51  Mr.  Ilolfon.  a  di- 
rector of  the  Milwaukee  and  Prairie  du 
Oliien  Railroad,  employed  Mr.  Brod- 
head  to  finish  constructing  the  road, 
which  had  been  completetl  a?  far  as 
Eagle.  There  were  many  features  in 
tlie  eonstruition  of  this  road  which 
were  of  a  serious  character ;  but  It  was 
finally  completed  in  18.')7.  The  last 
year  of  his  connection  with  this  road, 
lie  was  president  of  the  company.  In 
18.").')  Mr.  Brodhi!ad  was  seli'ctcd  as 
one  of  a  commission  of  three  to  inves- 
tigate the  first  serious  collision  that  oc- 
cnrreil  in  the  North-west.  It  took  place 
between  two  train  of  cars,  —  one  upon 
the  Southern  Michigan  llailroad,  and 
the  other  upon  the  MIcliigan  Central, 
at  the  crossing  of  the  two  roads,  at  a 
point  about  .seven  miles  south  of  Chi- 
cago. In  the  report  upon  the  suliject, 
a  reeoinmenilalion  was  made,  that  a 
regulation  should  be  adopted,  that  all 
trains,  before  crossing  the  track  of 
another  railroad,  should  come  to  a 
s'and-stlll.  This  plan  li.as  since  been 
adopted,  and  in  most  .States  h.as  be- 
come a  law.  In  1857  he  closed  his 
business  in  engineering,  having  been 
engaged  In  It  for  twenty-live  years. 
During  this  year,  he  and  his  wife  made 
a  trip  through  the  Soiilbern  States.  In 
April,  18(!;5,  he  was  appointed  president 
of  the  Farmers'  and  Mlller.s'  Bank,  on 
the  resignation  of  its  former  ])resident. 
Mr.  Itrodhead  Is  still  In  the  s.ame 
office,  Ihougli  the  bank  has  been  re- 
organised into  a  national  bank.  In 
1871  lie  accepted   the  ofllce  of  water- 


commissioner  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
structing a  system  of  water-works  for 
the  city  of  Milwaukee.  This  duty  was 
performed  without  compensation,  and 
the  works  have  been  completed,  and 
turned  over  to  the  city  In  June,  1875. 
Mr.  Brodhead  attributes  a  portion  of 
Ills  good  health  to  outdoor  exercise. 
The  name  of  Jlr.  Brodhead  has,  for 
many  years,  been  prominent  In  the 
engineering  profession.  Through  hia 
zeal  and  industry,  the  East  and  the 
West  are  indebted  for  their  improved 
railroad  facilities.  In  our  State,  tin 
Iron  band  crtiinectlng  the  Great  Lakes 
with  the  Mississippi  remains  a  monu- 
ment of  his  untiring  zeal  and  energy. 
Ills  name  will  ever  be  honored  by  tlie 
citizens  of  Milwaukee  for  the  part  he 
performed  in  bringing  to  a  successful 
completion  the  perfect  system  of 
water-works  In  their  city. 

Cl)L.    tJ.A.MES    MlDDI.ETON    AnNOI.n. 

—  He  was  born  In  LIbertvville,  III., 
April  2(1,  1841.  He  came  to  Milwau- 
kee, Wis.,  wifn  his  parents,  when  .an 
Infant,  and  has  lived  there  up  to  the 
present  time.  In  1858  he  entered 
business  as  a  drug-clerk,  In  the  employ 
of  Henry  Fess,  jun.  Subseqiienlly  he 
entered  the  employ  of  Smith,  Chandler, 
and  Co.,  from  whence.  In  18(12,  he  en- 
listed In  the  Twenty-fourth  Keglment 
of  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  a  Milwaukee 
city  regiment.  He  went  through  the 
war;  was  taken  prisoner  at  battle  of 
Murtreesborough,  Dec.  31,  18(I"J,  and 
spent  two  months  In  T,ibby  Prison.  Ho 
was  exehanged,  and  detaileil  for  clerical 
duty  on  statt  of  Major-Gen.  .lohn 
Pope,  on  which  duty  he  continued  tor 
fourteen  months,  (luring  whiih  linio 
he  was  married.  He  Wiis  relieved  by 
fieneral  Orders  of  War  Depart ukm it, 
and  rejoined  the  regiment  while  In 
ine  of  battle  on  Rocky  Fall  Uiidge, 
(ia.,  served  fni  the  stall  of  Major-Gens. 
Newton  and  George  H.  Thomas,  and 
afterwanls  filled  the  position  of  assist- 
ant ailjutant-general  In  State  of  Ten- 
nessee, with  the  rank  of  ni.ajor,  holding 
such  commission  In  the  Third  Ten- 
nessee (Union)  Cavalry, 

He  Is  now  connected  with  the  firm 
of  .\rnolil,  Yuli>,  and  Co.,  the  most  ex- 
tensive dealers  in  engines,  wood  and 
iron  working  machinery,  and  manu- 
facturers' supplies.  In  Milwaukee.  Ho 
was  elected  to  the  city  council  as  alder- 
man from  the  seventh  ward  In  April, 
1874,  lor  the  term  of  two  years.  IIo 
has  bee:,  prominently  identllied  with 
the  advancement  of  public  works  in 
that  section  of  the  city.    He  holds  the 


n I  STORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 


789 


commission  of  colonel  of  tlie  First 
Uc'gimt'iit  of  Wisconsin  Voiuntcpr  Mili- 
tia, wliich  from  tlie  ouersy  dispjayod  by 
its  commander,  stands  panillcl  willi  any 
»iini!ar  body  of  militia  in  tlie  country. 
Coi.  Arnold  is  also  the  editor  and  pui)- 
lislier  of  "The  North-western  Illus- 
tnited  Mechanical  Journal,"  a  paper 
devoted  to  manufactures  and  inven- 
tions, liavin;?  circulation  through  most 
of  the  Western  States.  lie  is  e.\ce(!d- 
ingly  affable  in  disposition;  has  no 
fixed  religious  belief;  ncitlier  a  member 
of  any  sccr<!t  society.  His  wife,  who 
died  July  27,  1S75,  was  from  Salem, 
Mass. ;  was  a  lady  of  fine  .attainments, 
a  faithful  wife  and  mother;  left  tliree 
children.  The  colonel  has  acquired  a 
considerable  amount  of  property;  has 
also  established  an  enviable  reputation 
for  integrity;  is  a  man  of  broad  and 
C(miprehensive  ideas,  and  one  who 
stands  very  prominent  among  his  fel- 
low-men as  a  leader. 

Hox.  E.  Elwill.  —  He  was  born 
Aug.  7,  1810,  ii\  Atliens,  Bradford 
County,  Penn.  ITo  received  a  com- 
mon-school education,  and  finished  up 
at  the  Athens  Academy.  While  but  a 
youth,  he  spent  some  ye.ars  in  a  woollen- 
factory,  tlnis  worliing  his  own  way 
from  the  time  he  was  able  to  do  any 
tiling  until  <'leven  years  of  age.  Stib- 
gequently  he  taught  during  winters, 
and  attended  school  during  siuumers. 
In  May,  1S.!8,  he  commenced  the 
study  of  law  in  the  oflice  of  his  brother 
William;  and  in  1840  was  admitted 
to  pr.actice,  which  he  did  with  no  small 
degree  of  success  in  Bradford  and  Wyo- 
ming Counties,  until  the  spring  of 
1847,  when  he  came  to  Wisconsin,  ar- 
riving at  Milwaukee  on  the  first  day  of 
June,  and  from  thence  to  Slieboygan, 
where  he  remained  in  tin-  |)ractice  of 
law  until  the  spring  of  1S."m.  wlien  he 
left  for  lieaver  Dam,  wln're  ho  has 
since  remained.  He  was  distrlet-attor- 
ni'v  for  Slieboygan  County  in  I8."):l  and 
18.54.  lie  was  postmaster  at  IJeaver 
Dam  from  18.')7  until  t8t!l ;  was  district 
ntli  -.ney  for  Dodge  County  from  18(i7 
until  1870.  Ho  was  elected  judge  of 
the  coui  v  court  of  Dodiie  (,'ouutv  in 
187;'  :■.(!  still  holds  that  olfiee.  Judge 
Kiwiil  has  the  highest  comiiiendalions 
of  the  peojde  touching  lii-i  ability  as  a 
lawyer  and  a  judge.  His  lifi;  llnis  far 
has  been  characterized  by  early,  hon- 
est, and  untiring  elTurts  to  lit  himself 
for,  and  to  thoroughly  aecompli-ih.  his 
mission,  whicli  fact  is  readily  recog- 
nized by  his  fellow-men  witli  applause. 

Hox.    J.    M,    Bennett. —  lie   was 


I  born  in  Cobleskill,  Schoharie  County, 
N.Y.  He  received  a  common-school 
;  educatii>n,  after  wliich  he  came  to 
Wisconsin  in  1845.  Hei-e  he  taught 
school  the  first  winter  after  his  arrival. 
In  the  spring  of  184(5,  he  settleil  in 
Oregon,  Dane  County,  where  he  has 
resided  up  to  the  present  time,  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business  most 
of  tlie  time  since  1349.  In  1871  be 
helped  to  organize  the  First  Nalioiial 
Hank  of  Evausville,  and  has  been  its 
cashier  since.  He  has  filled  tlie  office 
of  superintendent  of  schools;  was  a 
member  of  the  board  of  county  super- 
visors three  years;  .and  was  elected 
member  of  the  legislature  in  1800. 

When  he  was  twenty  years  of  age, 
he  was  without  means;  to  help  himself, 
save  that  he  could  work,  which  he  did 
on  a  farm  for  ten  dollars  and  fifty  cents 
a  month;  but  to-day  ho  is  worili  a 
h'.ndsome  property,  which  has  been 
acquired  through  patient,  honest  indus- 
try, .and  rigid  economy.  Thus  has  he 
risen  to  an  itulependeiit  position  by  a 
lawful  way,  and  is  a  living  e.'cample 
to  his  fellows. 

Hox.  Henry  D.  Uaruos.  —He  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Wilton,  Saratoga 
County,  X.Y.,  April  10,  1S:J:!.  His 
father  was  a  mechanic  in  poor  eircnm- 
stanecs,  and  bunii.'ued  with  tliesu))port 
of  a  large  family:  coiisei)ueiitly,  his 
advantages  for  an  education  wfre  lim- 
ited, aside  from  the  comninn  scliouls 
of  those  days.  In  1848  \w  enlcred 
the  printing-offl-e  of  TInirlow  Weed 
Urown,  in  which  he  served  an  appren- 
ticeship of  tluec  years;  after  v.'hicli, 
with  a  few  dollars  saved  from  his  earn- 
ings, and  a  little  help  from  a  n  lative, 
he  <!ntcred  Ballston  Spa  Law  School, 
where  he  studied  one  year,  wlicn,  witli 
barely  suflicient  money  to  |)ay  tlie 
expenses  to  Wisconsin,  he  s.tt'.od  in 
the  village  of  Waukesha,  a  tlulving 
county-seat.  Not  being  of  ag:',  he 
I'ould  not  he  adniitt  il  to  the  practice 
of  law;  but,  purch.asing  "The  Wau- 
kesha Democrat"  on  advantageous 
terms,  he  became  iu  edi-.or  ami  pro- 
prietor; and  soon,  with  llie  name  of 
"Chroiiotvpe,"  un<ler  his  charges  it  as- 
sumed a  i)lace  in  the  front  rank  of  tlie 
weekly  pre-^s  of  tin-  State.  At  timt 
time,  till!  Democratic  party  was  the 
only  piilitieal  power  througliout  the 
.Vorlh-wi'st,  to  wliich  li<'  attaeheil  him- 
self. He  was  appointed  postma-^ter  of 
WaukcHlia  liy  I'res.  I'ierce.  and  con- 
tinued the  publieatiou  of  "The?  Cliro- 
nolyiie  '  until  ls.")7,  wlieii  it  passeil 
into  other  hands.      He    Jiad,    in    thu 


790 


HISTORY  OF    WISCONSIN. 


mean  timn,  boon  ailmitted  to  thn  prao- 
tict' (if  law.  In  18(10  lie  was  appDintod 
l)y  (Jov.  Hanilall  jiulge  of  the  oishtli 
juili<'ial  circuit.  In  which  he  served  a 
.short  tiM'iu,  when  he  removed  to  St. 
Oroix  Falls,  and  was  retained  by  Calel) 
dishing  to  take  cli-rgo  of  the  latter's 
larj;e  Interests  in  that  section  of  the 
country.  That  has  continued  to  be 
his  place  of  residence  since,  from 
which,  however,  he  has  been  freipiently 
called  In  the  discharge  of  public  du- 
ties. At  'ho  outbreak  of  the  war, 
Juil.^o  Barron  took  a  position  in  the 
suiiport  of  war  measures,  and  would 
have  been  appointed  to  a  niHilary  com- 
mand, but  for  physical  disabllllies.  He 
assisted  in  raising  two  or  three  regi- 
ments, and  was  prominent  In  tlie  co\in- 
cils  of  the  war  parly  In  the  Slate.  lie 
supported  Lincoln's  adnilnistratioM, 
and  became  gradually  IdiMilificd  with 
the  Republican  party.  In  1S(!2  be  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  legWlature. 
and  was  re-electeil  until  l.Sii'J.  In 
April,  18(1!).  be  was  appointed  by  Pres. 
Grant  iifih  auditor  of  the  Cnited 
States  treasury.  In  1S7I,  whili!  at- 
tending to  his  duties  in  Washington, 
he  was  again  elecleil  to  the  legislature, 
because  of  important  inatlijrs  to  bi^  cared 
for,  which  he  was  so  w(dl  (|uali(ied  to 
protect.  He  was  chosen  speaker  of  the 
a.ssembly  in  18;i(>  .and  in  ls7:i.  He  is 
an  a(lmlral)lo  presiding  officer  of  a  de- 
lilMMalive  body,  and  Is  regarded  as  a 
model  legislator,  exceedingly  olfective 
in  debate,  from  a  thorough  knowU'ilge 
of  all  important  matters.  He  stands 
auKiig  the  few  incorruptible  pulille 
men.  ..nd  never  fails  to  wield  a  salutary 
itilluence.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
electoral  college  from  Wisconsin,  ,and 
its  president  In  ISliS,  and  held  the 
same  positions  In  1872.  .Just  in  the 
prime  of  life,  and  having  risen  to  such 
eminence  already,  bo  Is  destlneil  to  oc- 
cupy a  larger  field  of  usef  nluess  for  the 
public  good. 

CllAiiLKs  E.  IIoirniiMAN.  M.D.  — He 
was  born  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  .hily  S. 
18:!:!.  Ho  was  educateil  under  a  prl- 
vat(^  te.acher,  after  which  he  sindled  al 
New  Orleans,  Philadi'lphla.  and  .New 
York.  He  entered  upon  the  practice 
of  medicine  in  Canada,  where  he  re- 
mained three  years.  He  came  to  Wis- 
cou'  in  in  18(14,  and  was  appointed  in 
lS(ii»,  liy  Gov.  Fairchild,  to  tak<'  charge 
of  the  Kyo  ami  \'.;\r  Department  of  St. 
Mary's  Hospital  for  Indigent  Sol<liers, 
In  187(1  ho  established  the  .Milwiiukee 
Kye  and  F.ar  Intiiiiiiiry,  where  he  has 
treated  a  large  number  of  patients  with 


groat  siiccoss.  He  receives  patients 
from  all  parts  of  the  country;  and  any 
who  are  of  limited  means  are  not 
turned  away,  hut  treated  the  same, 
which  may  be  seen  from  the  fact  that 
he  has  treated  about  six  hundred  gra- 
tuitously. There  arc  very  nnvny  relia- 
ble sources  from  which  the  public  may 
gather  information  concerning  Dr. 
Houghman's  Infirmary  at  Milwaukee. 
The  press  is  loml  in  its  praise  of  t'lo 
institution,  presenting  its  henefits  with 
perspicuity  to  the  ])ubllc;  and  also  of 
the  well-tried  ability  of  him  who  is  in 
charge.  He  is  iin(|Uestionably  well 
recommended  and  properly  indorsed  for 
his  profession. 

Hon.  Geoisoe  W.  Ai.len.  — Ho  was 
born  in  Cazenovia,  X.Y.,  in  Docemtipr, 
1818.  His  early  days  of  labor  were 
spent  in  the  tannery  with  his  father. 
He  was  liberally  e<luciited,  prepared 
for  college,  and  entered  the  Wesloyan 
University,  Connecticut,  in  1838,  and 
graduateii  at  Union  College,  New  York, 
In  1841.  Fora  time,  be  read  law,  intend- 
ing to  follow  that  profession,  but  soon 
changed  his  mind,  preferring  conuner- 
clal  pursulls,  and  entered  into  iiartnor- 
shlp  with  his  father  in  1842,  \uider  the 
firm-naine  of  It.  Allen  &  Son.  At  this 
period  of  his  life,  he  was  given  to  poli- 
tics and  public  speaking.  In  1842  ho 
delivered  a  speech  against  what  was  thcii 
called  Political  Aholltionism,  when  ho 
was  challenged  by  Hon.  Gerrit  Smith 
to  meet  him  In  p\ililie  debate  on  that 
(|neslion.  whicii  was  accepted  ;  and, 
after  the  discussion,  the  almost  mil- 
veisal  verdict  was  In  fav(jr  of  Mr. 
.Mien.  In  1847  was  married  to  .Jane 
Savage  of  New  Yoik.  On  the  break- 
ing-out of  till?  war  in  1801,  Mr.  Allen 
was  active  in  the  cause  of  the  country, 
inakhig  his  elo(|uent  andstrongappeals, 
conlriliuting  largely  of  his  means,  as 
wellas  time,  to  sustain  the  governineiit. 
lie  and  his  brother  were  successful  iu 
raising  one  company,  which  was  mus- 
tered into  the  Twenty-fourth  Wiscon- 
sin Volunteers,  under  the  name  of  the 
"AlliMi  Guards;"  and  his  services  were 
unreiniltiMl  to  the  close  of  the  war. 
il(^  urged  the  heaviest  taxation  in  all 
its  forms;  saying,  that,  where  so  many 
gave  their  lives,  others  sliould  give 
their  proiierty,  to  the  common  cause. 
After  the  cl  ise  of  the  war.  the  neces- 
sity fcu' such  taxation  no  longer  needed, 
he  was  influential  in  having  Ibcni  re- 
duced. Ho  has  contrilpiiteil  more  to 
the  leather  Interest  of  this  country  than 
any  other  man.  During  his  visit  to 
Vienna,  at  the  World's  Exposltioii,  ho 


I 


BISTORT  OF  WISCONSIN. 


791 


Rathcred  much  valuable  information, 
wliicli  conlributed  largely  to  tlie  busi- 
iic!js  of  tlio  iirni,  and  to  the  leather  in- 
dustry throughout  the  country.  He 
is  one  of  tliose  men  who  go  out  and 
beyond  self  into  tlie  liigher  and  broader 
atmosphere  of  the  public  good. 

Rev.  Amos  C.  Pennock. — He  was 
born  in  tlie  town  of  Champion,  Jeffer- 
son County,  N.Y.,  Oct.  0,  1S15.  lie 
resided  at  the  place  of  his  birtli  until 
1844,  when  he  removed  to  Wisconsin. 
His  early  school-privileges  were  infe- 
rior to  those  of  the  present  age;  but 
he  was  not  slow  to  improve  the  oppor- 
tunities given.  He  formed  habits  of 
study,  wlilch  constituted  one  secret  of 
grand  success  in  after-life,  giving  him 
the  character  of  thorough  student. 
The  first  eight  years  subsequent  to  his 
becoming  of  age  were  spent  between 
study,  travel,  and  the  oversight  of  the 
farm,  while  his  father  w.as  absent  as  a 
travelling  Methodist  prciicher.  In  the 
fall  of  IHU,  witlx  his  newly  married 
wife,  he  Cimie  to  Aztalan,  .lefferson 
County,  Wis.,  where  he  sold  goods, 
and  dealt  in  real  estate  for  about  three 
years,  when  he  joined  flio  Wisconsin 
Conference  of  the  Methodist-Episcopal 
Cliurcli,  laboring  successfully  for  some 
years  on  tlio  best  appointments  of  the 
conference.  While  at  Milwaukee,  find- 
ing that  his  health  was  declining,  lie 
chose  a  change  of  climate,  and  was 
stiitioied  in  the  city  of  Stillwater, 
Minn.,  forllio  ensuing  year;  .md,  when 
tl'i  '\  I-:  i/usln  Conference  was  <livided, 
i  .  <«ii  .a'o  tlie  Minnesota  division,  in 
".'•ii''  cc  forence  ho  was  called  to  the 
■  .1.  .^r.  •>(  prominent  duties;  being 
)  MPili.  d  to  aid  in  all  the  benevo- 
It.  ',  .1'.  J  ■  irational  enterprises  of  the 
churo  •  '•■  !'ie  ctnirse  of  a  few  years, 
he  reti.'uet!  o  Wisconsin,  over  which 
lie  had  trivelled  in  an  early  day,  wlien 
there  was  not  only  much  to  admire 
among  the  wilds  and  beauties  of  the 
State,  but  more  to  fear.  lie  soon 
learned  to  feel  '  iioino  in  these  lone 
journeyings  thriM,.,li  forests,  and  over 
prairic^s,  feeling  assured  of  the  sludter- 
mg  wing  of  Ilim  who  sleepelli  not. 
Being  naturally  diffident  and  reliring, 
ho  has  avoided  nearly  all  political  posi- 
tions and  responsibilities.  A  few  tried 
friendi,  plenty  of  inlt,  paper,  and 
books,  together  with  simple  food  and 
an  humble  shelter,  have  for  him  eon- 
ttltiiteil  a  fountain  of  happiness.  And 
■  i  a  ■  osiiil  of  this  taste  and  talent  may 
be  idiind,  beside  sermons,  essays,  con- 
troveisieH,  and  correspoiulencc.  a  ciin- 
donsed  manuscript  upon  the  important 


features  of  theology,  carefully  written, 
and  nearly  ready  for  the  press,  a  col- 
lection of  poems  and  fugitive  pieces, 
indexed,  and  ready  for  the  printer's 
hand.  As  a  sample  of  liis  poetical 
genius,  a  few  extracts  are  subjoined,  — 

THE  KED  SLAN'S  RETURN, 

"  'TIs  fifteen  years  since  first  I  stood 
And  gazed  upon  these  hills  mid  wood; 
Went  with  the  tribe  from  place  to  place, 
And  joined  the  merry  morning  chase. 
My  heart  was  light  nnd  happy  then 
As  sunbeams  glancinc  o^er  the  glen ; 
And  little  thought  I,  dancing  on, 
So  soon  would  set  my  Joyous  sun, — 
All  I  little  thought,  a  tew  brief  yeai-s 
Would  iiU  my  eyes  with  scalding  teat's; 
Would  leave  me  wretclied,  faint,  and  lone; 
Destroy  my  friends  and  wooflland  home; 
Would  drive  me  from  my  native  hill. 
My  mountuin-tmil,  and  sparkling  rill: 
But  all,  a  spell  came  o'er  my  dream, 
And  heartless  fates  have  changed  the  scene. 

n>;t  oh  1  how  changed  this  spot  appears, 
And  all  arouinl  new  aspe"*;  wears, 
riie  council-tree  now's  c      away; 
And  piled  in  heaps  the  old  oaks  lay; 
The  pale-f.ice  has  his  cottage  here ; 
And  waving  coin  the  hill-tops  boar; 
The  winding  trail  the  plough's  turned  o'er; 
And  what  was  fair  is  fair  no  more. 

For  me  this  lifi  hath  now  no  cheer; 
The  wood  no  c  larni.  >iio  grave  no  fear; 
The  rising  liglu  ascends  in  vain 
To  culm  tills  throbbing,  troubled  brain." 


The  following,  titled 
written  in  1854, — 


'June,"  was 


"  It  la  greeting,  indeed,  when  the  winter  is 

past. 
And  the  ratn-drops  of  spring  on  earth's  bosotn 

are  ca-*t, 
To  walk  'mid  the  flowers,  thy  sun  dotli  illume, 
And  breathe  thy  sweet  breath,  mild,  genial 

June." 

Tliese  are  samples  of  a  few  of  the 
many  poems  he  has  written;  while  in 
prose,  too,  lie  has  not  failed  to  acquire 
a  good  repnt.ation  both  as  a  writer  and 
profound  thinker,  as  may  be  seen  from 
his  productions,  especially  in  a  sermon 
written  and  pulilislied  in  1807,  entitled 
"The  Fall  and  Recovery  of  Man,"  the 
closing  up  of  wliicli  is  most  sublime, 
lie  is  now  nearly  sixty  years  of  age, 
of  a  nervoin-sanguino  temperament; 
is  firm  in  what  he  lieiieves  to  be  right. 
lie  now  resides  in  Madison,  in  a  plejis- 
ant  home;  and,  having  done  what  he 
could  in  the  activities  of  life,  he  now 
looks  forward  to  a  bright  immortality 
beyond  the  stream  of  death. 

Mrs.  Klanhrth  J.  I'ennnck.  —  She 
WIS  born  in  Ulic.i,  N.Y..  Feb.  2.'), 
It?o0.     lleing  one  of  a  large  family,  with 


792 


BISTORT  OF   WISCONSIN. 


only  moderate  means,  she  early  learned 
the  lesson  of  self-reliance  and  useful 
activity,  prizing  the  advantages  of  an 
education.  Tlie  family  moved  to  Ful- 
ton, N.Y.,  while  she  was  but  a  child. 
Here  she  began  to  acquire  an  intellec- 
tual culture,  where  her  opportunities 
were  such  as  to  insure  tl.'  .  Mgh  and 
rapid  progress.  She  wasj  >  ■  ' 
study,  taking  in  knowledi, . 
sponge  drinks  up  water.  Sli*, 
school-teaching  at  sixteen,  and 
tinued  the  work  with  success  until  uji- 
twenty-fourth  year,  when  she  was  mar- 
ried to  Rev.  A.  C.  Penuock,  then  a 
member  of  the  Wisconsin  Conference. 
Subsequently  she  shared  with  her  hus- 
band the  toil  and  trials  of  the  itin- 
eracy, for  years,  with  patience.  Slie 
had  been  accustomed,  however,  to 
hardships  prior  to  assuming  these  new 
responsibilitii'- ;  for  in  1840  she  jame  to 
Wisconsin,  ami  saw  Columbia  County 
in  its  rude  and  early  days,  —  saw  these 
wild  prairies  bow  to  the  rod  of  agri- 
culture, and  yield  to  the  wand  of  civil- 
ization,—  saw  them  change  from  the 
playground  and  feeding-place  of  wild 
animals  to  fields  of  grain,  and  gardens 
of  beauty,  and  contributed  he.  part  in 
bringing  about  the  transformation ;  av  ! 
in  her  after  and  bettor  days,  has  e\er 
had  an  eye  of  sympathy  toward  the 
poor,  the  toiling,  and  the  struggling. 
At  her  hand,  want  finds  help,  and  dis- 
tress relief,  and  in  her  words  the  erring 
find  council,  and  the  sorrowing  solace. 
Never  neglecting  the  calls  of  lier  family 
to  follow  the  nod  and  notions  of  arti- 
ficial society ;  at  home  in  the  kitchen, 
nursery,  and  parlor;  at  home  in  the 
lialls  of  music,  art,  and  science;  a  con- 
stant student  and  ready  writer ;  a  de- 
voted daily  Christian  lady,  aiming  to 
make  her  liome  a  sanctuary,  as  well  as 
a  study  for  her  children,  —  she  makes 
one  of  the  best  mothers,  best  neighbors, 
friends,  and  citizens  of  the  State. 

William  P.  Meruill.  —  He  was 
horn  on  the  25th  of  March,  1871,  at 
South  Berwick,  Me.  When  but  eight 
years  of  age,  his  father  moved  to 
Adams,  Jefferson  County,  N.Y.,  where 
he  remained  eight  years.  William  had 
now  arrived  at  that  ago  when  every 
young  man  desires  to  sever  home-ties, 
and  seek  a  fortune  abroad.  His  first 
attempt  was  to  make  a  trip  to  Canada; 
but  sickness  comiielled  his  return  after 
a  brief  stay.  After  his  recovery,  he 
decided  to  go  West.  lie  went  to  Cleve- 
land, O.  In  18;W  he  left  Ohio  for  Wis- 
consin, arriving  in  Milwaukee,  after 
a  tedious  voyage  of  one  month,  on  the 


second  day  of  April.  In  1837,  still 
impelled  by  the  love  of  adventure, 
he  made  a  trip  to  Chicago,  from  there 
to  Rockford,  remaining  there  until 
spring,  when,  accompanied  by  two 
friends,  in  March  he  bought  a  canoe, 
and  embarked  for  the  Mississippi.  Sub- 
sequent to  this,  he  went  to  Canianchc, 
lo.  While  here,  he  wa.s  made  justice 
of  the  peace.  In  1839  he  returned  to 
Milwaukee,  bought  a  small  stock  of 
goods,  and  proceeded  to  Waukesha 
County,  and  established  the  first  store 
between  Waukesha  and  Watertown. 
In  1840  he  sold  out,  being  convinced 
that  the  business  of  a  country  mer- 
chant was  not  the  best.  He  then  en- 
?aged  in  farming,  exchanging  his  store 
or  eighty  acres  in  Milwaukee  County. 
Ho  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in 
1840,  and  in  1840  repi'esentod  the  fifth 
ward  as  alderman,  and  also  in  1860. 
When  he  came  to  Milwaukee,  he  was 
the  owner  of  a  good  gun,  a  chest  of 
carpenter's  tools,  and  one  hundred 
dollars  in  cash.  He  was  married  in 
1830,  and  has  two  sons.  He  has  built 
fourteen  houses ;  and,  from  the  rentage 
of  his  stores  and  dwellings,  is  able  to 
pas'  the  remainder  of  life  in  comfort- 
able circumstances. 

Hon.  Hokack  Chase. — He  was  born 
in  Derby,  Orleans  Comity,  -Vt.,  Dec. 
25,  1810.  He  comes  of  pioneer  aiul 
Revolutionary  stock.  He  lived  with  liis 
parents,  and  worked  on  the  farm,  at- 
tending school  in  the  winter.  In  18;10 
he  went  to  Boston,  and  engaged  with 
Messrs.  Baxter,  Robinson,  and  Co.  as 
clerk,  until  January,  18*1,  then,  with 
Wilder  Pearce,  Esri.,  of  Stanstead  Plain, 
Canada  East,  acting  as  clerk  in  his  store 
up  to  February,  1834.  He  then  went 
to  Boston  and  New  York,  where  he  met 
with  P.  F.  W.  Peck,  Esq.,  who  hailed 
from  Chicago.  Mr.  Chase  returned 
witli  him,  and  accepted  position  as 
clerk  in  his  store.  He  remained  with 
Mr.  Peck  for  some  time ;  then  engaged 
as  book-keeper  for  a  tavern-keeper. 
Not  liking  this  business,  he  engaged  as 
clerk  with  Messrs.  Kinze  and  liali,  who 
kept  a  large  wholesale  and  retail  store. 
During  his  stay  with  Mr.  Ingersoll,  the 
tavern-keeper,  ho  became  acquainted 
with  Arcliibald  Clybourn,  who  pro- 
posed to  go  Into  company  in  tiie  mer- 
cantile business.  A  partnersliip  was 
ent(!red  into  for  three  years ;  and  they 
decided  tu  start  business  in  Milwaukee, 
wliere  they  put  up  a  small  shanty- 
storehouse  in  18:!.">.  In  April  he,  with 
otliors,  opened  a  road  from  Hoot  River 
tu  the  mouth  of  tlie  Milwaul<ee  River. 


HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 


793 


Iti  laSS  he,  with  his  brother  (Dr.  E. 
Chase),  opcnctl  a  h\rge  and  cunuuodious 
store ;  and  tliey  alone  did  the  forward- 
ing and  commission  business  of  what  is 
now  tlie  great  city  of  Milwaul<ee.  In 
October,  1837,  he  was  united  in  mnr- 
riage  to  Miss  Sarah  Ann  Grey.  He 
Wivs  electeil  a  member  of  tlio  first  Con- 
stitutional Convention  from  Milwaukee 
County.  lie  was  next  elected  to  the 
first  State  legislature  of  Wisconsin, 
convened  at  Madison,  January,  1848. 
In  August,  1852,  Mr.  Chase  met  with  a 
sorrowful  bereavement  in  the  loss  of 
his  wife.  In  1858  he  was  again  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Mary  H.  Davis  of  Mount 
Holly,  Vt ,  who  is  still  living  to  mal;e 
his  home  happy.  In  1801  he  was 
elected  alderman  and  su|)ervisor  for 
the  fifth  ward  of  the  city  of  Mil- 
waukee, and  in  1802  received,  througli 
tlie  suffrages  of  his  admiring  foUow- 
citizons,  tlie  position  of  mayor.  He 
lias  ever  discharged  his  duties  to  the 
satisfaction  of  tlie  people,  and  is  held 
in  liigh  esteem.  He  has  retired  on  an 
ample  fortune,  tlie  results  of  his  own 
industry  and  integrity. 

IIo:f.  Levi  H.  Kellooo.  —  He  was 
born  in  Sheffleld,  Berkshire  County, 
Mass.,  Aug.  24,  1817.  Wlien  he  was 
four  years  of  age,  his  parents  moved  to 
Oneida  County,  New  York,  where  he 
remained  until  the  age  of  si.xteeu,  when 
lie  decided  to  go  farther  West.  His 
educational  advantages,  up  to  this 
period,  were  such  as  the  common 
schools  of  that  day  afforded.  Early  in 
life  he  manifested  a  disposition  to  pre- 
pare Iiimself  for  a  useful  life-work. 
He  went  to  Michigan,  the  journey  oc- 
cupying three  weeks  of  tedious  travel. 
He  resided  there  about  fourteen  years, 
actively  engageil  in  the  toil  that  sub- 
sequently resulted  in  aHluence,  the 
meanwliilo  attending  to  the  cultivation 
of  his  mind.  In  1847  lie  moved  to  Mil- 
wauicee,  where  lie  engaged  in  coinmer- 
ciiil  life,  and  was  always  alive  to  every 
vital  interest  toucliing  tlie  prosperity  of 
that  city.  He  liiis  lieen  everywhere  re- 
garded as  a  man  of  superior  business 
attainments,  a  man  of  integrity,  liberal, 
and  sound  in  every  respect.  He  is  re- 
membered in  Milwaukee,  and  in  many 
other  places,  by  young  men  who  have 
been  assisted  anil  encouraged  by  him. 
He  was  enabled,  through  h<mest  indus- 
try, to  acquire  an  abundance  of  this 
world's  goods.  In  the  early  days  of 
Miiwaukei.'.  he  liecame  connected  with 
tlie  order  of  Odd-Kollows,  and  rose,  in 
a  short  time,  to  a  high  position  in  that 
body.    He  manifested  great  Interest  in 


the  promulgation  of  the  principles  of 
the  order,  and  established  many  lodges 
in  the  State.  There  is  scarcely  a  mem- 
ber of  the  order  in  the  State  who  is  not 
familiar  with  the  name  and  influence 
of  Mr.  Kellogg.  He  was  known  as  of 
a  benevolent  disposition;  and,  during 
Ills  last  illness,  those  who  liad  been 
favored  by  him  in  business  did  not 
forget  their  benefactor  in  the  lioiir  of 
his  affliction.  He  died  at  Milwaukee, 
Dec.  12,  187;},  leaving  a  name  that  is 
dear  to  those  that  knew  him. 

Hox.  Cakson  Gbaiiam.  —  He  was 
born  in  Erie  County,  I'ennsylvania, 
Dec.  25,  1812.  He  acquired  the  benefits 
of  the  common  schools  and  academies 
of  Ills  day.  His  labor  was  on  the  farm 
until  seventeen  years  of  age,  at  which 
time  he  went  to  Pittsburg  to  learn 
the  printer's  trade,  where  he  worked 
for  a  short  time,  and,  not  liking  it,  re- 
turned home.  Ho  then  taught  school 
for  the  purpose  of  acquiring  means  to 
complete  a  thorough  course  of  instruc- 
tion. In  18")5  he  commenced  the 
study  of  law  under  the  direction  of 
Hon.  George  A.  Elliot.  Was  admitted 
to  t)ie  bar  in  1838,  and  soon  after 
was  appointed  deputy  attornoy-general. 
Was  alsodopuly  United  States  attorney 
for  the  Western  District  of  Pennsyl- 
vania for  six  years,  when  he  came  to 
Wisconsin;  but,  not  liking  the  appear- 
ance of  things  at  that  time,  he  returned 
to  Pennsylvania.  In  ]84!>,  about  ten 
years  after  his  visit  to  Milwaukee,  lie 
determined  t  >  return  to  the  State. 
Accordingly  ho  went  to  Fond  du  Lac. 
Ho  here  became  acquainted  with  prom- 
inent men,  and  was  .idmitted  to  tlie 
bar  in  this  State.  In  Fi^bruary,  1852, 
he  moved  to  Dubuque,  lo.,  where  he 
opened  an  office.  In  about  fourteen 
weeks  afterwards,  he  was  taken  ill, 
whi'jli  continued,  with  great  suffering, 
for  three  months.  Feeling  somewhat 
discour.agcd,  he  resolved  to  return  to 
Erie,  Penn.,  wliere  he  resumed 
practice  until  the  summer  of  1857, 
when  he  again  determined  to  go  West, 
intending  to  go  to  Minnesota,  but 
stopped  at  La  Crosse  until  June,  1858, 
when  he  went  to  Mankato,  but,  early 
in  the  fall,  returned  to  La  Crosse,  and 
remained  there  until  the  latter  part  of 
September,  1850,  when  he  came  to 
Varoqua  on  business,  with  not  the 
slightest  intention  of  locating  here ;  but, 
as  tliere  seemed  to  be  an  opening  for 
ills  business,  ho  remained  during  the 
winter.  In  the  spring  of  18U0  he  was 
elected  county  judge,  whicli  settled  the 
question  of    locating    hei'c.      In    tlie 


794 


mSTORT  OF  WIS  CONS  m. 


spring  of  1804  he  was  elected  to  the 
siiine  oHico,  and  held  IL  for  eight  years. 
Since  then,  he  has  held  the  oflico  of 
district-attorney  for  two  years.  He  has 
been  active  in  business,  and  promi- 
nently connected  witli  many  enter- 
prises touching  the  prosperity  of  the 
State. 

John  Xazro.  —  lie  was  born  at 
Cape  llaylien,  a  seaport  town  on  the 
Island  of  Ilaytl,  l)(v.  1!),  18-'0.  His 
father  was  born  in  JIassachusett.i,  and 
Ills  mother  in  New  Jersey.  Mr,  Nazro 
is  a  de-cendant  from  the  French  on 
both  sides.  His  father  was  engaged, 
in  early  life,  at  Cape  Haytien,  in  the 
coniniission-tr.iding  business  between 
that  place  and  Boston,  Mass.  His 
parents  returned  to  Boston  when 
Mr.  N'azro  was  about  two  years  old. 
Here  he  resided  until  February,  1847, 
when  he  reuKjved  to  Milwaukee,  in 
which  city  ho  now  resides.  Ho  was 
married  in  September,  1851,  to  Clara 
B.  Ulanchard,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  A. 
Blaiichard  of  Truxton,  Cortland 
County,  N.Y.  They  liave  Iiad  seven 
childicn.  Mr.  Nazi'o  graduated  from 
the  Boston  High  School  at  the  age  of 
fifteen.  Ho  then  entered  a  conimissi'";- 
liouse,  remaining  there  for  ahout  five 
years.  He  was  bookkeeper  with  Xazro 
and  King  of  Milwaukee  for  one  year. 
In  May,"  181S,  he  bought  out  j.  C. 
Cramer  and  Co.,  dealers  in  hardware, 
and  startiMl  in  business  under  the  firm 
John  Nazro,  jun.,  and  Co.  In  May, 
1850,  lie  nulled  with  H.  J.  N.izro.  In 
May,  18.")4,  H.  J.  Nazro  left  Milwaukee 
to  reside  in  New  York,  leaving  the 
management  of  the  business,  which  was 
then  considered  large,  with  liim.  In 
May,  18(i(),  the  name  of  the  firm  was 
changed  to  .John  Nazro  and  Co.,  under 
which  nmne  it  still  exists.  Two  years 
later,  he  became  the  sole  proprietor. 
His  first  year's  business,  in  1848, 
amounted  to  eleven  tliousand  dollars, 
and  has  advanced  to  a  million,  live  hun- 
dred tliousaiuldoUars.  His  presentstore 
is  tlic  largest  in  the  United  States.  Its 
dimensions  are  one  hundred  .  by  one 
liundred  and  forty  feet.  Mr.  Nazro  has 
never  held  any  public  office.  He  lias 
declined  many  high  political  positions 
which  have  been  offered  to  him.  He 
has  lield  a  large  number  of  positions  of 
private  trust.  His  commercial  history 
is  closely  identified  witli  the  growth  of 
Milwaukee.  It  has  never  been  dislum- 
ored.  He  is  a  man  that  desires  no 
eulogies,  but  prefers  to  let  liis  acts, 
oliaracter,  and  reputation  speak  for 
tliemselves. 


David  MARsn  Kelly.  —  He  was 

born  in  Hamilton,  Mass.,  in  1841.  Ue 
is  the  son  of  Ilev.  George  W.  and  May 
M.  Kelly,  When  about  ten  years 
old,  lie  roTnoved,  with  his  parents,  to 
Haverhill.  Mass.  Ho  studied  law,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  180.%  to 
prat  tlse  in  all  the  courts  of  that  State. 
In-  .lediately  after  his  admission,  he 
fon.-ed  a  partnership  with  II.  N.  Mer- 
rill, xnd  commenced  the  practice  of 
law  i'l  Haverhill.  In  1807  Iio  removed 
fro.n  Massachusetts  to  Appleton  in 
this  State.  Here  lie  became  a  director 
of  tlie  Green  Bay  and  Mississippi  Canal 
Company,  and  took  charge  of  a  line  of 
steamboats  running  in  the  interests  of 
that  company  on  the  Upper  and  Lower 
Fox  Rivers,  and  on  Lake  Winnebago. 
In  1808  Mr.  Kelly  became  vice-presi- 
dent and  superintendent  of  the  Lake 
and  River  Transportation  Company; 
and  he  removed  from  Appleton  to 
Green  Bay,  where  lie  now  resiiles.  In 
1809  he  purcliased  the  interest  of  the 
Dousmans  in  the  property  and  busi- 
ness of  Dousinan  and  Klmoro  of  Fort 
Howard,  Wis.,  owners  of  the  Green 
Bay  Elevator,  and  doing  a  wholesale 
and  commission  business  in  grain, 
coal,  salt,  &c.  A  partnersjiip  was 
formed  by  Hon.  Andrew  E.  Elmore, 
James  H.  Elmore,  of  Fort  Howard, 
and  Mr.  Kelly,  under  the  name  of 
Elmore  and  Kelly.  This  firm  now  ranks 
as  one  of  the  litaviest  and  most  re- 
liable business-bouses  in  the  State.  In 
1870  he  became  a  director  and  vice- 
presidetit  of  the  Green  Bay  and  Lake 
Pepin  Railway  Company,  a  corporation 
organized  for  tlie  purpose  of  construct- 
ing a  rallro.ad  from  Green  Bay  to  the 
Mississippi  River.  After  careful  iuves- 
tination  of  the  project,  he  became  con- 
vinced tliat  there  was  great  merit  in 
tlie  enterprise.  Ho  tlierefore  resigned 
his  offices  with  the  company,  and  en- 
tered into  a  contract  to  construct  tlio 
entire  line,  binding  himself  to  complete 
the  road  to  the  Mississippi  on  or  be- 
fore Jan.  1,  1870.  The  first  rail  was 
laid  in  1871;  and  in  twenty-five  consec- 
utive months  from  that  time  the  work 
was  completed.  This  road  is  now 
known  as  the  Green  Bay  and  Minnesota 
Ifailroad.  Mr.  Kelly  is  its  present  vice- 
president  and  general  manager.  During 
the  Rebellion,  Mr.  Kelly  served  eighteen 
months  in  the  Union  army,  and  took 
part  in  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson,  and 
other  important  oiDerations  of  the  war. 
For  so  young  a  man,  Mr.  Kelly  has 
seen  much  of  life,  and  in  various  pjiases, 
having  been  in  turn,  student,  saltwater 


». 


nrsTORY  OF  mscoysm. 


705 


sailor,  soldier,  lawyer,  stoiiinlioat-man- 
agor,  firiiin-operalor,  riiilroiul-liiiildfr, 
and  railroiid-iiianii!;cr.  Mr.  Kidly  is 
now  tliirty-four  years  of  aite ;  is  unmar- 
ried, and  in  tlie  cnjoyniiMit  of  robust 
healtli.  He  lias  Ix^eii  admitted  to  ]irac- 
tise  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State, 
but  now  gives  his  attention  to  the 
management  of  the  railroad  with  whieli 
he  is  conneeted.  There  is  no  need  of 
eulogizing  Mr.  Kelly.  His  works  arc 
suttieient. 

H<)>f.  TiiEODOiiEPiiENTIss.  —  lie  was 
born  at  Montpelier,  Vt.,  Sept.  10,  1818. 
Ue  was  the  eighth  son  of  Samuel  Pren- 
tiss, formerly  ehief  justice  of  the  Su- 
preme Court,  Vermont,  United  States 
senator,  and  judge  of  the  United  States 
district  court.  He  pursued  a  course  of 
study  in  the  academy  of  his  native  town 
preparatory  for  college,  and  entered  the 
University  of  Vermcint  in  18;W.  lie  left 
the  sum",  year  on  account  of  ill  health, 
and  went  South.  In  1842  he  returned, 
and  studied  law  in  his  father's  oflice  at 
Montpelier.  and  was  admitteil  to  the  bar 
111  1844.  lie  removed  to  Wisconsin  in 
Oetolier  of  the  same  year,  and  settled 
in  Watc'.-towii,  February.  184.!).  lie  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Hist  and  second 
conventions  for  forining  a  constitution 
of  the  State.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  State  legisliiture  in  1801;  and  was 
elected  in  the  same  year  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Hegents  of  the  State  Uni- 
versity. Three  several  times  he  has 
been  elected  mayor  of  the  city  of 
Watertown.  He  married  Martha  .J. 
Perry  of  Montpelier,  Vt.,  Dec.  4,  18.)"), 
and  has  three  sons.  He  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church, 
lie  lias  been  successful  in  business,  and 
has  ;ic:iuired  a  fair  competence. 

Hon.  He.nhy  A.  Youman,  M.D.  — 
He  was  born  in  Albanyt;ounty,  N.Y., 
May  22,  ISld.  Two  years  afterwards, 
the  family  removeil  to  Genesee  County. 
This  country  was  then  sparsely  settled. 
With  the  results  of  his  labors  in  the 
schoolroom,  ho  was  enaliled  to  attend 
the  Wyoming  Academy  one  or  two 
terms,  before  beginning  tin;  study  of 
medicine.  Ho.  graduated  in  184:!,  from 
the  (leiieva  Medical  College  in  New 
York.  Subsequent  to  this  event,  lie 
went  to  Milwaukee,  Wis.  He  had 
little  means,  Ijiit  was  determined  to 
overcome  all  dillicultii^s.  (»ii  liis  ar- 
rival, he  immediately  began  to  look 
for  a  location.  He  linally  settled  in 
tlie  village  of  Muckwoiiago,  wliero  he 
now  resides.  For  the  past  thirty-two 
years,  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  pro- 
feasiou  of  his  choice.      He  was  super- 


intendent of  the  public  schools  of  his 
town  until  18li0.  He  was  elected  in 
the  autumn  a  member  of  the  assembly, 
and  served  his  coiistilnents  satisfac- 
torily. He  was  a  Kepublicau  until  the 
last  year  of  Grant's  lulininistraticni. 
Since  tlien,  he  has  been  independent 
of  any  party,  and  supports  those  who 
iue  the  best  titled  for  tlie  positions  for 
which  they  are  cainlidates.  Dr.  You- 
man  possesses  a  strong,  vigorous,  and 
clieerfiil  temperament.  He  is  strictly 
temperate.  Being  mmh  engrossed  witli 
his  profession,  and  possessing  great  de- 
terinination  and  self-control,  he  has 
been  the  means  of  saving  many  difficult 
cases.  A  few  years  after  his  seltlement 
in  Muckwon.ago.  be  married  Miss  Lucy 
Andrews,  a  daughter  of  an  old  pioneer. 
They  have  live  cliildren. 

.lunciE  Thomas  Bbaytox.  — He  was 
born  at  Wilna,  Jefferson  County,  X.Y., 
D(>c.  12,  1870.  He  hail  few  opportuni- 
ties of  education,  but  was  well  infonned 
in  the  general  principles  of  science  and 
art.  He  was  married  to  Lora  Pellet, 
March  5,  181:!.  She  died  May  4,  1828. 
He  was  married  to  Laura  Ilyer  in 
March.  1X2'.).  He  moved  to  Milwaukee 
in  18aT.  .iiid  tlie  next  veiu'  to  Aztalan, 
Wis.  His  wife  died  Marcli  21,  IS4:i; 
and  July  8,  18.'):5,  he  married  (-'yutliia 
Starkweather.  Mr.  Brayton  died  at  his 
residence  at  Azta'an,  Dec.  1",),  IS-'A 
lie  liad  a  strong  and  active  mind,  was 
plain  and  reticent  in  in.inner,  and  yet 
was  genial  and  coiiipanj,onable.  He 
was  a  leading  spirit  in  every  com- 
munity in  wiiich  he  lived.  He  pos- 
sessed good  business-talent,  was  relia- 
ble, honest,  and  prompt.  He  was  a 
powerful  reasoner,  a  good  speaker,  and 
impressed  all  with  the  idea  that  he  be- 
lieved what  he  said.  He  w.is  an  excel- 
lent farmer, and  a  thorough  and  |)racti- 
cal  surveyor.  II(^  was  often  justice  of 
the  peace,  and  judge  of  probate. 

Alfised  Ai:ousTU.s  Biiayton.  —  Ila 
was  born  at  Wilna,  Jefferson  Cimnty, 
N.Y..  Jan.  5,  1814.  He  moved,  with 
his  father's  family,  to  Wisconsin  in 
18:!T,  and  settled  in  Aztalan  the  next 
year.  In  ]8:i'.l  he  married  Miss  Eliz.a- 
b(!th  Grant.  At  this  place  he  kept  a 
variety  store.  He  bouglit  the  site  of 
tlie  village  of  Fall  Itiver  in  1840;  drew 
up  the  plan  of  the  town,  and  built  the 
mills.  He  was  the  builder  and  owner 
of  the  first  store  in  Fall  Uiver.  and  sold 
goods  ill  tlie  place  until  disabled  l)y  dis- 
ease. He  was  upright,  reliaiile,  and  ac- 
tive, generous,  social,  and  sympathetic. 
His  manner  w.as  stern  ami  abrupt.  Ho 
had  a  noble  nature,  a  warm  heart,  and 


796 


n/STOJtr  or  w/sco.vsrx. 


nn  honest  purpose  in  his  nets  and  words. 
lie  was  educated  as  a  farmer,  but  be- 
came an  accurate  and  praci  ical  surveyor. 
lie  was  a  good  salesman,  a  bard  worker, 
and  a  steady  and  faitliful  friend. 

Lucius  A.  Wukklkb.  —  ne  was 
born  at  Milton,  Chittenden  County, 
Vt.,  Marcli  9,  1828.  His  fatlier  was  a 
farmer  in  humble  circumstances,  and 
moved  to  \Vest(M'n  X(!w  Yorl»  when  lie 
was  about  five  years  of  age.  After  re- 
ceiving his  early  education  in  a  public 
school,  he  entered  a  collegiate  institute 
at  tlie  age  of  thirteen,  to  prepare  for 
■  college.  His  liealth  proving  too  poor, 
lie  entered  a  country  store  at  the  acie 
of  fourteen,  wliere  lie  remained  six 
years.  He  was  made  a  partner  in  the 
business,  and  w.as  an  indefatigable 
worker.  Wlieii  twenty-two  years  of 
age,  over-work  compelled  him  to  seek 
a  change.  After  a  season  of  rest,  he 
went  to  Dunkirk,  wlierc  he  opened  a 
dry-goods  store,  and  soon  established 
a  flourishing  business.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  four  years,  the  iiarent-hoiise 
failed,  involving  Mr.  Wheeler  in  liabili- 
ties amounting  to  sixty-flvo  thousand 
dollars.  Six  months  previous  to  this, 
lie  wa3  married  to  Miss  Helen  C.  Van 
Uuren,  on  May  17,  18.")5.  Not  at  all 
diseourjiged  or  dixheartened,  he  pave 
up  all  to  his  creditors,  and  immcili- 
ately  started  westward.  He  visited 
several  cities,  but  settled  in  Milwau- 
kee, in  IS.'iO,  with  less  than  one  hun- 
dred dollars..  After  a  ^>3ek'8  search, 
he  secured  a  situation  in  a  clothing- 
house.  After  a  year's  time,  lie  received 
a  situation  in  the  dry-good's  house  of 
the  Bradford  Brothers,  wliere  ho  re- 
mained a  year.  He  tlion  went  to  Now 
York,  and  succeeded  in  getting  released 
from  nearly  ail  tlio  claims  against 
the  old  house.  Witli  the  aid  of  an 
uncle  and  a  former  townsman,  he 
purchased  a  very  small  stock  of  goods, 
and  returned  to  Milwaukee.  He  was 
afterwards  joined  by  a  lirother-in-law. 
The  little  store  soon  became  popular, 
and  business  Increased,  wlien  they 
moved  to  larger  apartments.  His 
brother  returned  to  Dunkirk,  leaving 
him  to  conduct  the  business  alone.  A 
wholesale  department  was  opened ;  and 
tlic  business  grew  rapidly.  As  often 
as  was  necessary,  he  removed  to  larger 
places,  until  187-',  when  he  settled  in  his 
present  elegant  abode.  He  gives  special 
attention  to  the  best  retail  trade;  and 
has  a  large  and  coiisiaiilly  increasing 
business.  Mr.  Wheeler  is  an  active 
Christian,  whicli  is  due,  in  a  degree,  to 
his  early  religious  iuslruction. 


JuDOE  David  W.  Smam,.  — He  was 
born  at  Frankfort,  Philadelphia  County, 
I'enn.,  Dec.  18.  1827.  His  parents  be- 
longed to  the  Society  of  Friends,  and 
were  faruKirs.  He  lived  on  the  farm 
until  he  was  sixteen  years  old;  and 
attended  tlic  public  schools  during  the 
winter  months.  He  was  a  stuilcnt  in 
the  Moravian  College  at  Nazareth  for 
two  years.  At  eighteen  years  of  age, 
he  began  teaching,  and  reading  law.  In 
April,  ISuO,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
at  Doylestown.  The  following  month, 
he  went  to  Ocommiewoc,  Wis.  At 
first  his  l.aw-business  was  not  very 
prosperous,  and  lie  combined  tlic  duties 
of  a  surveyor  with  his  profession  until 
18j1.  By  tliis  time  his  business  had 
Increased  to  such  an  extent  as  to  oc- 
cupy Ills  entire  time.  In  ]8.')1  he  was 
i'l(!cted  path-master  of  liis  ward.  In 
1802  he  was  elected  distrirt-attorney 
for  Waukeslia  County,  on  tlie  Demo- 
cratic ticket,  to  which  otUce  he  was 
subsequently  re-elected  once  or  twice. 
In  18li!l  he  was  elected  judge  of  the 
Second  .Judicial  Circuit.  In  1875  ho 
was  re-eloeled  by  a  largo  majority, 
.ludgo  Small  resides  upon,  and  culti- 
vat(!S,  a  small  faim  near  th3  village. 
Judge  Small  was  liorn  and  brouglit  up 
in  tlie  Society  of  Friends,  and  still  be- 
lieves ill  tlieir  fundamental  principles. 
'His  wife's  maiden  n.anie  w.as  Susannah 
Ely.     They  liave  three  children. 

Hon.  AVy.man  Si'ooneh.  —  He  was 
born  at  Hardwick,  Worcester  County, 
Mass.,  July  2,  1705.  His  father  was  a 
farmer,  and  he  lived  at  lioine,  attend- 
ing school  in  the  winter,  until  fourteen 
years  of  age.  He  went  to  V(?rmont, 
and  became  an  apprentice  in  a  print- 
ing-oflice.  When  .about  twenty-one, 
he  commenced  tlic  publication  of  a 
weekly  newspaper,  which  he  continued 
for  about  twelve  years.  He  tlien 
began  the  study  of  law,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  its  priictice  in  18:!3.  From 
Ills  long  continuance  in,  and  his  asso- 
ciations with,  Vermont,  he  claims, 
without  repuiiiating  the  paternity  of 
his  native  State,  to  ho  a  "  Green 
Mountain  Boy."  In  1842  he  removed 
to  Wisconsin,  and  in  184:$  he  settled 
in  Elkhorn,  Walworth  County,  where 
he  has  ever  since  resided.  In  184(1,  ho 
w.as  elected  judge  of  prol>ate,  which 
office  he  held  until  tlie  probate  was 
merged  into  the  county  court. 

In  18.53  he  was  appointed  circuit 
judge;  which  position  Ik;  held  until 
the  election  of  Judge  Doolittle.  He 
was  elected  to  the  assembly  in  ISoO, 
1801,  1857,  and  1801.     J  a  1857  lie  was 


HISTORY -OF   WISCONSIN. 


7D7 


electi'd  spoiiker  (if  tlm  assembly.  ITo 
was  ('Icctoil  .Sliil(^  soimtor  for  the  terms 
(if  ISdU  and  1803.  In  tlio  last  sessldn 
lie  was  elioseii  president  of  tlio  senate, 
anil  iK'camc  licutcnant-j^overnor  when 
Jlr.  Salomon  succeeded  to  the  executive 
chair.  In  1*!:J,  1S05,  and  18{(7,  lie  was 
el(!cted  lieutenant-governor;  and,  by 
virtue  of  his  office,  he  presided  over 
the  senate  for  six  consecutive  years. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  first  board 
of  trustees  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb,  at 
Dt'lavan.  .Imlge  Spocmer  is  a  man  of 
constant  diligence  and  energy. 

Axciiis  Smith. — He  was  born  at 
Clay,  St.  Clair  Coimty,  Mich.,  Dec.  16, 
ISi'ii.  He  is  the  son  of  John  K.  and 
Catherine  McDonald  Smith.  lie  re- 
mained at  home  on  his  father's  farm, 
•ind  attended  the  district  school  win- 
ters, until  his  fourteenth  year,  when 
he  commenced  to  depend  (m  his  own 
resources.  For  the  next  three  years, 
he  was  a  clerk  in  a  country  store,  at  the 
rate  of  twenty-five  djliars  per  year, 
and  board.  After  this,  ho  engaged  in 
a  wholesale  and  retail  establishment, 
where  ho  remai'-.ed  four  years,  the  last 
year  of  whicii  time  he  was  a  partner. 
The  iie\t  three  years,  he  was  engaged 
in  similar  business  with  three  others. 
After  remaining  in  the  storage,  for- 
warding, and  commission  business  for 
two  years,  lie  confiiKjd  himself  to  the 
purchase  and  sale  of  grain  and  flour, 
in  connection  with  the  Mead  Kiver 
and  Lalie  Erie  liailroad  Company. 
He  eontiimed  to  bo  prominently  con- 
nected with  the  management  of  this 
department  until  1854,  when  he  came 
to  Chicago,'  and  bough;  grain  and  flour 
at  that  place,  Kenosl.a,  Racine,  and 
Milwaukee.  In  1858  he  moved  to 
Milwaukee,  .ind  comin'jnced  the  erec- 
tion of  an  elevator,  for  the  exclusive 
purpose  of  hauling  grain  from  rail- 
cars.  This  was  the  first  of  the  kind 
built  in  that  city.  Two  years  later  he 
was  obliged  to  build  another  and  a 
larger  one,  on  account  of  the  increase 
of  business.  At  that  time  two  mil- 
lions .and  one-half  bushels  of  wheat 
were  handled,  and  in  1873  thirty  mil- 
lions. The  great  success  attending 
this  busitiess  was  largely  attributable 
to  the  establishment  of  grades  for 
the  different  kinds  of  grain,  the  rigid 
adherence  to  all  the  rules  and  regula- 
tions estalilislied  for  the  inspection  and 
grading,  and  for  the  care  taken  to  keep 
the  different  grades  of  grain  separate. 
This  has  given  Milwaukee  a  reputa- 
tion for  integrity  in  every  port  of  the 
world  where  wheat  ha.s  been  Imported. 


He  makes  no  pretentions  as  a  poli- 
tician. Ilis  first  votes  were  cast  for  the 
DemocraUc  party;  but  after  maturer 
years,  seeing  that  slavery  was  contrary 
to  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
and  entirely  at  variance  with  the  prin- 
ciples that  underlie  the  organi/.ations 
of  society,  he  has  continued  to  act 
with  the  Republican  party,  but  never 
would  accept  of  any  offlco,  except 
from  his  business  associates,  by  whom 
he  was  elected  president  of  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  of  Milwaukee.  In 
1840  he  was  married  to  Maria  C.  Peck 
of  Rochester,  X.Y.,  who  was  a  very 
estimable  lady  and  a  very  devoted  wife. 
She  (li(!d  in  1858.  In  the  autumn  of 
1800  he  married  Catherine  E.,  sister 
of  his  first  wife,  and  by  her  he  has  one 
son, 

Lyman  C.  DnAPEn,  eldest  son  of 
Luke  and  Harriet  Draper,  and  of  the 
fifth  generation  from  James  Draper, 
who  settled  at  Roxbury,  Mass.,  about 
1051),  was  born  at  the  mouth  of 
Eighteen-Mile  Creek,  on  the  shore  of 
Lake  Erie,  in  what  was  then  the  town 
of  Hamburg,  now  Evans,  Erie  County, 
N.Y.,  Sept.  4,  1S15.  His  parents  re- 
moving first  to  Springfield,  Erie 
County,  Pcnn.,  when  he  was  three 
years  old,  he  was  first  sent  to  school 
there,  a  year  or  two  later;  and,  in  the 
spring  of  1821,  the  family  removed  to 
Lockport,  an  incipient  village  on  the 
line  of  the  Erie  Canal,  in  Western 
New  York,  where  he  attended  the 
best  schools  at  that  day,  for  the  en- 
suing eight  or  ten  years ;  then  engaged 
for  a  while  in  chirking.  Borrowing  a 
volume,  soon  after  its  issue,  in  1831, 
on  the  "  Annals  of  Tryon  County ;  or. 
Border  Warfare  of  New  York,"  and 
another  work,  "  Rogers's  Journals 
of  the  French  War,  and  Life  of  Gen. 
Stark,"  replete  with  thrilling  Incidents 
of  Indian  and  Tory  warfare,  and  read- 
ing them  with  avidity,  they  Incited  in 
his  mind  a  love  for  narratives  of  fron- 
tier adventure  that  largely  gave  direc- 
tion to  his  subsequent  tastes  and  pur- 
suits. While  at  Lockport,  ho  saw 
Lafayette,  De  Witt  Clinton,  Gov.  Cass, 
and  other  notable  characters. 

His  first  school-composition  was  on 
the  services  and  character  of  the  good 
Lafayette ;  and  his  first  literary  article 
on  Chailes  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  the 
last  of  the  immortal  signers,  whose 
u  ath  had  recently  occurred,  was  writ- 
ten in  February,  18.33,  when  a  little 
past  seventeen,  and  was  published  in 
"  The  Rochester  Gem"  of  April  0  en- 
suing, which  was  rapidly  followed  by 


798 


HISTORY  or    WISCONSIN. 


otlior  confiibutioiis.  In  tlio  niiluinn 
of  1S:!4  li(!  went  to  Slobili.',  at  llie  in- 
viliilion  of  IVtor  A.  UcniNcii,  a  cotton- 
faclor  tlicrc,  who  liail  married  his 
cousin;  ami  in  May,  ls;U,  lio  left 
there,  and  went  to  (inuivillo  Ciille;;e, 
Ohio,  arriving  June  4,  where  lie 
remained  for  over  two  yearn.  His 
parents  having  removeil  from  Loek- 
port  to  Toledo,  ().,  ho  visited  t'.eni  at 
the  latter  plaee,  in  the  summer  of 
lS3r>,  and  took  part  with  the  liuekeyes 
in  a  littlo  skirmish  with  tlie  Woiver- 
nies,  pleasantly  calleil  the  Battle  of 
Mud  Creek,  in  the  environs  of  Toledo, 
—  one  of  the  episodes  of  the  Ohio  ami 
Michigan  boundary  difllculty  at  that 
period. 

In  the  autumn  of  1830  he  left  Gran- 
ville, for  Hudson  River  Seminary,  near 
Stockport,  N.Y.,  where  ho  remained  a 
year;  and  then  went  to  reside  in  the 
family  of  his  matron  and  friend,  Mr. 
IJemsen,  noa.  Alexander,  Genesee 
County,  in  tha.  State,  pursuing  his 
studies,  and  an  extensive  course  of 
reading,  privatelv. 

When  in  Mobile,  he  made  a  begin- 
ning of  colleoting  unpublished  facts 
aid  traditions  relative  to  border  his- 
tory, in  this  instance  pertaining  to  the 
daring  Creek  chief,  Weatlierford, — 
a  habit  which,  for  over  forty  years,  he 
lias  since  practised  with  so  marked 
success.  While  at  Granville,  ho  had 
become  interested  in  the  border  works 
of  Withers,  McCluny,  and  Klint,  and 
afterwards  of  Hall ;  and,  finding  them 
oftentimes  at  variance  with  each  other, 
lie  conceived  the  idea,  in  18:!8,  of  a 
work  on  the  Western  Pioneers,  hoping 
to  be  able  to  rectify  many  of  these  de- 
fects and  errors.  This  led  to  an  ex- 
tensive correspondence,  and  repeated 
journeys  in  the  Western  and  Southern 
States,  between  1840  and  1871,  aggre- 
gating over  sixty  thousand  miles,  by 
public  conveyances,  on  horseback,  and 
on  foot,  attendant  with  many  hard- 
ships, and  several  times  greatly  en- 
dangering life  itself.  Many  aged 
pioneers  and  Indian  fighters  were  in- 
terviewed,—  the  companions  of  Dun- 
more,  Lewis,  Clark,  Uoone,  Kenton, 
Shelby,  Sevier,  the  Campbells,  Sumter, 
Uobcrtson,  Crawford,  Brady,  and  the 
Wet/.els ;  and  thus  an  unequalled  col- 
lection of  original  historic  materials 
was  gathered,  embracing  well-nigh 
two  Tiundred  and  fifty  manuscript 
volumes,  covering  the  whole  sweep  of 
the  Anglo-American  settlement  and 
border  warfare  of  the  West,  from  the 
first  fight  in  the  Virginia  Valley,  in 


1742,  to  the  death  of  Tecumsoh,  at  the 
Tlianu's,  in  isi:i. 

In  1840  Mr.  Draper  went  to  Ponto- 
toc, in  Northern  Mississippi,  wliero 
he  edited  a  we<'kly  paper  for  u  while; 
tried  rough  farming-life  one  season, 
fifteen  miles  from  a  post-odiee,  and 
was  chosen  a  justice!  of  the  peace. 
In  1K42  went  to  lluiTalo,  serving  as  a 
clerk  in.  the  canal  superintendent's 
ofllce  for  a  year;  returncMl  to  Pontotoc 
a  short  time,  journeying  among  the 
pioneers;  ami  linally,  in  1844,  becom- 
ing again  a  member  of  Mr.  Hemsen's 
family,  then  residing  near  Baltimore, 
and  subseriiienlly  in  and  near  Phila- 
ilelphia,  maintaining  an  extensive  cor- 
respondence, and  making  freiiuent 
journeys  in  the  Western  and  South- 
western States,  and  gathering  a  unique 
library  illustrative  of  border  history. 

Mr.  llemsen,  his  patron  ami  friend 
of  many  years,  dying  in  the  spring  of 
1852,  Mr.  Drai)er,  with  Mr.  IJemsen's 
family,  whose  widow  he  subsequently 
married,  removed  to  Madison,  Wis.,  in 
tho  autumn  of  that  year,  where  ho 
has  since  resided.  Hesirle  perfecting 
his  Border  Historical  Collections,  ho 
h.is  devoted  much  of  his  time  towards 
building  up  the  State  Historical  So- 
ciety of  Wisconsin,  e<liting  its  six  vol- 
umes of  Transactions,  and  aiding  in 
gathering  its  valuable  library  of  sixty- 
five  thousand  volumes.  In  the  fall  of 
1857  he  was  chosen  State  Superintend- 
ent of  Public  Instruction,  and  labored 
with  much  zeal  .and  success  in  securing 
tho  adoption  of  a  State  system  of 
township  libraries,  by  which  nearly 
eighty-nirio  thousand  dollars'were  raised 
for  the  first  year's  expemlitin-e,  but 
which  was  repeale<l  in  consccpience  of 
the  great  war  tornado  of  1801,  and  the 
money  appropriated  for  military  pur- 
poses. Some  such  measure  is  very 
certain  to  be  re-enacted  at  no  very 
distant  day. 

Beside  the  six  volumes  of  Collections 
of  the  Historical  Society,  sever.al 
pamphlets,  and  two  elaborate  school- 
reports,  he  prepared  In  1800,  aided  by 
W.  A.  CrotTut,  a  thorough  work  of  over 
eight  hun<lred  pages,  called  " The  Hello- 
ing Hand :  an  American  Homo  Book 
for  Town  and  Country,  devoted  to  Farm- 
ing-Matters, Stock,  Fruit-Culttire,  and 
Domestic  Economy."  He  has  recent- 
ly completed  a  work  of  much  care-' 
ful  investigation  on  tho  Mecklenburg 
Declaration  of  Independence;  .and  is 
now  engaged,  in  conjnncthm  with 
C.  W.  Butterfleld,  tho  able  author  of 
"  Crawford's  Expedition,"  on  a  volume 


nisTonr  of  n'lscoysm. 


90 


em  "  Hiinlcr  Fomys  and  Ailvi'iitures," 
liiracly  from  iirlniiial  iimlt'iiuls;  to  li(! 
followed  by  others  on  Smiitcr,  Homii', 
Clark,  Kenton,  llrady,  and  tlicir  bor- 
der associates  and  Indian-lighters. 

Twenty -flro  years  ajjo,  Granville 
Collejie,  Ohio,  conferred  on  Mr.  Draper 
the  honorary  degree  of  Master  of  Arts; 
and,  in  1871,  the  I'niversity  of  Wis- 
consin, that  of  LIj.D.,  in  refo.unltion 
of  his  services  in  behalf  of  the  histori- 
cal literature  of  the  conntry,  and  his 
unflagging  efforts  in  building  up  a 
great  pul)lic  library  in  Wisconsin.  lie 
is  eillier  an  honorary  or  corresponding 
member  of  tlio  principal  historical 
socletiei  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Draper  has  been  a  man  of  much 
system  and  persistent  industry,  never 
getting  wearied  or  discoiu'aged  in 
whatever  he  undertakes.  "  The  frost- 
king,"  says  F.  A.  Moore,  "  has  been 
busy  with  his  hair;  yet  his  face  and 
eye  and  step  retain  the  freshness  and 
eiasticily  of  thirty.  Seeing  him  now, 
it  is  hard  to  comprehend  the  secret 
force  and  energy  that  have  inspired 
him  through  all  these  long  and  patient 
years;  that  have,  again  and  again,  sent 
liim  through  al'nost  every  nook  and 
cranny  of  the  West  and  South  in  search 
of  any  old  scrap  of  letter,  paper,  or 
relic,  or  to  find  the  last  man,  woman, 
or  child  that  could  shed  light  upon  the 
events  and  .ictions  of  the  great  pioneer 
period  of  the  West."  "Our  wonder 
was,"  observes  the  well-known  biblio- 
grapher, Joseph  Sabin,  "that  a  man  of 
his  sliglit  physique  co\ild  have  accom- 
plished a  tithe  of  his  work." 

Such  Is  a  brief  notice  of  the  man  of 
whose  collections  Jared  Sparks  ex- 
pressed his  amazement  at  their  extent 
thirty  years  ago;  and  whom  Col.  John 
McDoiiald,  himself  a  pioneer,  and 
author  of  "  Horder  Sketches,"  denomi- 
nated "The  Western  Plutarch." 

Hon.  Moroa.v  L.  MABTirf.  —  He 
■was  born  at  Martinsburg,  Lewis  Coun- 
ty, N.Y.,  March  31, 180.5,  and  graduated 
at  Union  College,  New  York,  1824.  He 
removed  to  Detroit,  Mich.,  in  1820,  and 
to  Green  Bay  in  1827,  where  he  lias 
ever  since  resided.  He  was  a  member 
of  tlie  lef;islativo  council  of  Michigan 
from  1831  to  1835,  a  delegate  to  Con- 
gress in  18-15,  and  a  melnber  of  the 
legislative  council  of  Wisconsin  from 
J1843  to  1847.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Second  Constitutional  Convention 
in  1818,  member  of  the  assembly  in 
185.'5,  and  of  the  senate  in  18.58-59.  He 
was  postmaster  in  the  United  States 
army  from  1861  to  1805,  and  United 


States  Indian  agent  from  1S(W  to  1S09. 
Mr.  Martin  is  a  lawyer  by  profession. 
In  polities,  a  war  Democrat,  but  has 
acted  inilependently  since  the  war. 
.Supported  (ien.  (irant  at  the  last  elec- 
tion for  the  presidency.  He  was  a 
suuessful  candidate  for  the  assembly 
in  the  fall  <if  1S73,  receiving  fivi,'  hun- 
dred and  ninety-nine  votes  against  five 
hundred  and  sixty  for  *his  opponent. 
Uiit  few  are  now  living  who  have  been 
identified  longer  or  more  prominently 
with  the  history  of  the  Stale  than  has 
Mr,  Martin;  and  none,  perhaps,  have 
dischargiMl  the  duties  of  oflice  or  pri- 
vate citizen  belter  than  he.  He  is  now 
in  his  seventielli  year,  hull;  aii>l  ))','arty 
as  many  a  younger  man. 

Hon.  John  Tadoii  KiNfisroN.  —  He 
was  born  In  St.  Claire  County,  III., 
Jan.  31,  1810.  In  the  year  l.s'2i),  his 
father  removed  to  Central  Illinois.  In 
the  spring  of  18;j2,  he  removed  with 
his  family  to  Cliicago,  but,  on  account 
of  the  Sauk  war,  did  not  reach  there 
until  the  spring  of  1833.  In  the  fif- 
teenth  year  of  his  age,  the  subject  of 
our  sketch  left  home  to  seek  his  for- 
tune in  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin. 
He  came  to  Kacine,  made  a  claim,  and 
built  a  liouse.  After  remaining  there 
some  time,  he  returned  to  his  i'alhet-'s 
home.  In  March,  1S.J3,  he  returned 
again  to  his  claim  in  Wisconsin.  In 
1842  he  removed  to  Grand  Kapids,  and, 
in  1848,  to  Neudah,  his  present  home. 
Ho  was  elected  clerk  of  the  board  of 
supervisors,  register  of  deeds,  and 
county  surveyor  of  Portage  County, 
in  1845;  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  in 
1847;  and  elected  to  the  State  senate 
in  18.50-Ot);  was  appointed  a  trustee  of 
the  Hospital  for  the  Insane  in  1870; 
and,  in  1S72,  was  appointed  a  trustee 
of  the  Northern  Hospital  for  the  In- 
sane. He  has  held  tlie  office  of  town 
clerk,  chairntan  of  the  town  I)oard,  or 
president  of  the  village,  since  the 
organization  of  the  town  of  Neudah,  in 
185.).  He  was  member  of  the  assem- 
bly  in  1874.  Mr.  Kingston  is  by  occu- 
pation a  lumberman.  , 

Ho.v.  W.vi.TEB  D.  McIndoe.  —  He 
was  born  in  Scotland,  Mardi  ;10,  1819. 
He  emigrated  to  this  country  in  his 
fifteentli  year,  and  for  a  time  was  a 
clerk  in  a  large  mercantile  house  in 
New  York  city.  For  some  years  there- 
after, he  pursued  the  same  business  in 
the  cities  of  Charlestown,  S.C,  and 
St.  Louis,  Mo.  Early  in  the  history  of 
Wisconsin,  Mr.  McIndoe  settled  within 
its  limits,  and  became  extensively  en- 
gaged in  the  iumbcr-busine  ts.    Being 


800 


n  I  STORY  OF  wiscoxsr.v. 


ft  man  of  onliirgod  l)ii»inps<i-vii'ws,  Ills 
iipcialidns  sonti  bocumo  qiiito  exten- 
sive, and  hn  hocanie  Konorally  known 
to  the  penpln  of  our  Statu  n*  one  of  its 
most  enterprising  and  prosperous  citi- 
zens. 

In  the  fall  of  18-10,  he  was  elected  to 
the  assembly  of  the  State,  and  was  an 
able  and  U'^eful  member  of  that  body 
during  the  session  of  1850.  In  polities 
he  was  then  an  active  member  of  the 
Willi?  party.  lie  was  in  the  minority 
jiarty  of  that  legislature,  and,  of  course, 
was  not  as  conspieuoiis  as  lie  would 
have  been  in  the  majority;  but  the 
8ounil,  practical  qualities  of  his  mind 
gave  him  promineneo  with  his  fellow- 
members  of  all  parties.  In  the  session 
of  18i)4  he  again  represented  his  dis- 
trict in  the  assembly  in  the  same  ac- 
ceptable manner,  not  only  to  his  own 
Immediate  on-^titncnts,  but  to  tho 
people  of  the  whole  State. 

During  the  summer  of  1854  the 
Republican  party  of  Wisconsin  was 
organized,  Jlr.  Mclndoe  had  a  strong 
attachment  for  the  old  Wliig  party, 
and  did  not  willingly  yield  up  that 
organization  for  tlie  new  one.  In  the 
fall  of  that  year  ho  was  again  elected 
to  the  assembly,  but  claimed  to  be 
chosen  as  a  Wliig,  and  not  as  a  Repub- 
lican. A  United  States  senator  was 
to  be  elected ;  and,  after  a  long  struggle 
in  caucus,  C'harh's  Durkee  received  the 
Republiean  nomination.  This  choice 
was  decidedly  distasteful  to  tho  mem- 
bers, who  were  inclined  to  still  consider 
themselves  Whigs.  After  some  days 
spent  In  vain,  Mr.  Mclndoe,  with  his 
friends,  finally  yielded,  and  cast  their 
votes  for  Mr.  Durkee,  securing  his 
election.  From  this  time  Mr.  Mclndoe 
became  (irmly  identified  with  the  Re- 
pubiicin  party,  of  which  organization 
lie  has  been  an  active,  consistent,  and 
prominent  member  ever  since. 

In  the  fall  of  1802  Hon.  Luther  Han- 
chott,  member  of  Congress  of  the  then 
Second  District,  died,  and  on  tho  .3i)th 
of  December,  at  a  special  eloclion,  Mr. 
Mclndoe  was  elected  to  fill  tho  vacancy 
in  the  Second  District  for  the  Thirty- 
seventh  Congress,  and  for  the  full  term 


in  the  Thirty-eighth  Congress  for  tho 
Sixth  District  under  tlie  then  new  ap- 
portionment. In  1804  ho  was  elected 
as  a  member  of  the  Thirty-ninth  Con- 
gress, lie  thus  served  two  full  terms 
and  a  fraction  of  a  term  In  tho  national  • 
house  of  representatives.  During  thU 
time  he  was  chairman  of  tho  Com- 
mittee on  Revolutionary  Pensions,  and 
a  member  of  tho  Committee  on  Indian 
Affairs.  In  18.")0,  and  again  In  1800,  he 
was  chosen  us  a  presidential  elector. 

In  1857  Mr.  Mclndoe  was  a  prom- 
inent candidate  for  governor  before 
the  St.ito  convention.  At  first  the 
contest  was  mainly  between  him  and 
lion.  K.  D.  Ilolton'for  the  iiomln.'ition. 
It  resulted,  after  a  protracted  struggle, 
in  the  nomination  of  lion.  \.  W.  Ruii- 
dall,  a  new  man, 

Since  his  retirement  from  Congress, 
he  has  attended  wholly  to  his  private 
business,  which  had  become  somewhat 
deranged  from  his  long  absence  in  the 
public  service. 

lie  died  at  his  residence  in  Wausau, 
on  tho  22d  of  August,  1872,  in  tho  fifty- 
fourth  year  of  his  age. 

Hon.  Paul  Jdneau.  —  lion.  Paul 
.Juneau  was  the  second  son  of  Hon. 
Solomon  Juneau,  the  founder  of  Mil- 
waukee, and  was  the  first-born  of  that 
revered  pioneer  after  his  pennanent 
settlement  at  the  flourishing  commer- 
oml  emporium  of  Wisconsin,  on  tho 
28th  of  April,  182.3.  In  1849  he  was 
elected  member  of  the  assembly  from 
the  Juneau  district,  in  Dodge  County, 
at  which  place  and  county  he  resided 
the  last  years  of  his  life.  In  1852  ho 
was  chosen  register  of  deeds,  which 
oflico  he  held  four  years.  He  was  acci- 
dentally shot  by  a  ball  fired  carelessly 
and  at  random  from  a  pistol  at  Juneau, 
and  died  in  a  few  minutes, — Aug.  1;J, 
1858.  At  the  time  of  his  decease  ho 
was  a  member  of  the  assembly  from 
his  district,  and  also  clerk  of  the  cir- 
cuit court  of  Dodge  County.  He  will 
long  bo  remembered  for  his  many  vir- 
tues, and  deeply  regretted  that  his 
should  have  been  an  end  so  untimely 
and  lamentable,  Mr.  Juneau  was  in 
Ills  thirty-fifth  year. 


